Subject: Judgment of Infants? |
Bible Note: Dear Nehemiah, I am truly sorry you think I am cold. I very clearly stated, and very strongly believe that the children of (a) believing parent(s) are under a covering provided by the Lord Jesus in I Corinthians 7:14. I also believe that we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8), and that God's grace is poured upon whomever He chooses. Please, dear friend, do not jump to conclusions, charging me with assigning 'innocent little babies to hell.' This is not my motive, at all. I have before me a MacArthur Study Bible, a Ryrie Study Bible, a Holman Master Study Bible, a 23-volume Pulpit Commentary and a modest number of Bibles, Bible Dictionaries, and Concordances. (I'm sorry, but I am not a scholar, learned in Greek or Hebrew) Many give opinions one way or the other, but not one has given me a clear, Scriptural mandate that the children of the unsaved are saved. Most agree that all are conceived under the inherited guilt and moral corruption of Adam's sin. Some say they are not culpable or blameworthy, some say they are. This is a Study Bible Forum, and I am asking this august body to consider this question and use the Bible to help me understand. Is this unreasonable? By *assuming* innocence of all children, we open the door to absolve others of 'original sin.' The 'moral incompetents' and 'the abused' and 'the hurt,' thereby exonerating just about anyone with a sad past. Another would be those that 'had no opportunity to know Jesus, even as adults.' My point is that we do not have the ability to know who is saved, except within the realm of our personal lives. (even there, only God knows in the absolute sense) We are to portray the Good News to the lost, in order that they may know Jesus. If I can do this, then these lost and their children can be found in the Lord, by His grace. Nehemiah, I want everyone saved! Not just 'innocents,' but sinners, too. But I cannot save them with my feelings. I preach the Gospel, I reach out to my neighbor, I lift up Jesus in my home, I pray earnestly, and I study and hear His Word. This is what we are told to do, right? Please don't think me an ogre :-) I assure you I am not unfeeling, and if you knew me you would know this. I live in a place that is over 99 percent non-Christian, serving the Lord hoping that He might save many. My heart breaks every time I walk out my door! Please don't accuse me of being cold. In Christ Jesus, charis |