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NASB | Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 3:23 since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God, |
Subject: Can a toddler go to heaven? |
Bible Note: Dear John To everything in your first paragraph, I agree. I agree with everything in the second paragraph until you say, "They were both born spiritually dead and therefore both must have sinned sometime or other in their lives." I find nothing to support this position. My thought would be that they were innocent, having the same nature as Adam, until they sinned and fell under the same curse that came upon their parents. Continuing: You write, "I believe Abel recieved something which Cain did not:" This I do not follow. Why couldn't Abel choose to follow God's directions by offering the right sacrifice in faith, and Cain choose to disobey, offer the sacrifice of personal choice, and be displeasing to God on that basis. Otherwise, if God gave Abel something that He did not give Cain, that would not be fair. See, I don't think Cain or Abel or Adam needed anything more, or lacked anything, to make the choices they did. Question: if you believe that God gave Abel something more than he gave Cain, what would you use to support this position. You don't believe Abel was without sin, do you? To the following, I disagree: "Their parents had been created spiritual beings as well as natural beings. Cain and Abel were not." ALL men are spiritual beings, created in the image of God; not just the first man and woman. The problem for all men is when they do as Adam, and choose to disobey God. That is when all men fall under the condemnation of sin. You write, "Until you can show that spiritually dead creatures are capable (in and of themselves) of faith, I cannot accept that they are capable of any spiritual good." I could offer plenty of examples to illustrate the 'spiritually dead' people are capable of doing spiritual good. Cornelius is a good example. We might argue as to when Cornelius was saved, but we would have to conclude that it was AFTER Peter spoke words to him "by which you will be saved" (Acts 11:14). So how do you account for the actions of Cornelius before this time? Acts 10:2 says he was "devout", "one who feared God", "gave alms to the people", and "prayed to God continually." These things are 'spiritually good' and caused God to hear his prayers. I would appreciate your thoughts. Good day. |