GodsGrace
CF Ambassador
- Dec 26, 2015
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- 11,949
Just a few comments:The same way we Christians "go to Heaven"... That is, through the forgiveness of our sin through Christ's atonement work:
Luke 23:34a (NASB) But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”It is no coincidence nor trivial matter that Jesus Christ suffered through the pain of speaking those words while on the cross. They mean something theologically. Yes, His immediate intent was likely for the soldiers carrying out crucifixion orders. But the principle of God's forgiveness to those who "do not know what they are doing" applies to infant deaths too, IMO.
Death (of Adam, you, me, infants, all man) came through Adam.
Romans 5:12-14 (NASB) Therefore [God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us], just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned— for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.
Whether what's termed 'original sin' is imputed to infants when there is no law imputed to them, is debatable. But death certainly is.
Life eternal (on the other hand) comes through Christ for all whom He loved enough to die for. And evidently, 'Jesus loves the little children of the world, red and yellow, black and white. They are precious in His sight.' Baptized or not!
1. I know a couple of Christians that believe that since Jesus said Father Forgive Them For They Know Not What They Do... ALL men are forgiven because NO ONE knows what they are doing. We went on for many pages with this. Many offered their opinion as to who did know what they were doing - but he wouldn't accept any example.
As far as this person is concerned, everyone is saved because no one knows what they're doing.
2. Romans 5:12-14 is the reason I stated that God cannot be in the presence of sin. Because of Adam, all men are now born with original sin, or the sin nature. Only our trust in Jesus and our following Him can save us from the perfection of God. A child cannot be responsible for his sin nature, but God still cannot be in the presence of it.
So, does Jesus save the children? Personally, I believe He does. This is not a problem for me. I believe God is a just God.
P.S.
Regarding this statement of yours:
Whether what's termed 'original sin' is imputed to infants when there is no law imputed to them, is debatable. But death certainly is.
We do speak about the age of accountability.
We say that God cannot punish someone for what they do not know.