Bible Question:
The Bible never defines the age of accountability or maybe I don't know where to look for it. My question is: can a youth who never knew the LORD and died suddenly, go to Heaven. Or even if he knew about salvation and didn't make a profession be saved. Ed |
Bible Answer: My wife and I dealt with this question with our two sons as they became teen-agers. I would say every christian parent over the past 2,000 years has dealt with this issue. Our answer which was endorsed by the leadership throughout the brotherhood with whom we worship is this: the Parent should study with the child, ask all the right questions and verify in their mind that he/she understands what they're getting into. The should understand the basic rudimentary elements of what it is to be a christian and the cost/sacrifice, how they should act. Does he at least know why Jesus died and other basic concepts? BUT if there remains some question, and the parent decides to wait on allowing the child, I would suggest an appropriate amount of time and then re-visit the topic and confirm his desire. Does the desire still burn within? Is it a real priority or was it just another phase? And finally, a person could argue to go ahead and allow the child to proceed with the basic philosophy of "better safe than sorry." After all, if the child thinks at a later date, that it wasn't really genuine or he's uncomfortable with his conversion, he can go through the process again and make it real at that later date. I'd like to think God would endorse a loving parent following their conscience in this matter if they truly studied and prayed on it. What do you think? Now, as to your question about a child that has already passed on, that we have to leave in God's hand and pray for mercy on his behalf. I do think that generally, children are safe and assured of going to Heaven but again the moment a child becomes an adult in God's eyes...that's a tough call. I'm thankful to Him that His judgments are perfect and absolutely just. God bless. --Rowdy |