Age Of Accountability

[Jayyycuuup]

I have seen the "Age of Accountability" show up here and there, yet it still puzzles me. Presumably it declares that all whom are within the "age of accountability" go to Heaven, yet what do you think about Mathew 7:17-20?

17Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. 18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20Why by their fruits you shall know them.

[allofgrace]

Gen 2:17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Deut 1:39 ‘Moreover your little ones and your children, who you say will be victims, who today have no knowledge of good and evil, they shall go in there; to them I will give it, and they shall possess it.

Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil.

For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Heb 5:13-14 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

2 Sam 12:22-23 And he said, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who can tell whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ 23 But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”

Before Adam and Eve ate of the fruit of tree of knowledge they had no knowledge of evil, but afterwards they did and because of that willful act of disobedience that sin nature passed on to all their off spring. But looking at the few verses that I find in scripture and there are a few more but these will suffice to show the point. God did not hold those children under the age of 20 accountable for the refusal to go into the promise land but He did everyone over the age of 20 except Joshua and Caleb. And the verses that speak of a child not having the knowledge or ability to discern what is good or evil He does make a distinction. And when David's son died, David says he would go to be with the child and I do not see why he would draw any comfort from that unless they were both going to be in the same place and alive. What joy would he receive of knowing their bodies would be in the grave? And I only add the Hebrew passage to demonstrate that even the Christian is a babe when coming to the Lord and must grow in grace and knowledge in order to be more obedient in their walk and witness and this is done by their having the knowledge to appropriate the wisdom and power which the Holy Spirit will provide. They still have the sin nature but I believe scripture implies that where there is no law or knowledge of it, there is no sin charged to their account. Each will have to decide their own convictions because there little to go on.

[Jayyycuuup]

Gen 2:17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Deut 1:39 ‘Moreover your little ones and your children, who you say will be victims, who today have no knowledge of good and evil, they shall go in there; to them I will give it, and they shall possess it.

Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil.

For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Heb 5:13-14 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

2 Sam 12:22-23 And he said, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who can tell whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ 23 But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”

Before Adam and Eve ate of the fruit of tree of knowledge they had no knowledge of evil, but afterwards they did and because of that willful act of disobedience that sin nature passed on to all their off spring. But looking at the few verses that I find in scripture and there are a few more but these will suffice to show the point. God did not hold those children under the age of 20 accountable for the refusal to go into the promise land but He did everyone over the age of 20 except Joshua and Caleb. And the verses that speak of a child not having the knowledge or ability to discern what is good or evil He does make a distinction. And when David's son died, David says he would go to be with the child and I do not see why he would draw any comfort from that unless they were both going to be in the same place and alive. What joy would he receive of knowing their bodies would be in the grave? And I only add the Hebrew passage to demonstrate that even the Christian is a babe when coming to the Lord and must grow in grace and knowledge in order to be more obedient in their walk and witness and this is done by their having the knowledge to appropriate the wisdom and power which the Holy Spirit will provide. They still have the sin nature but I believe scripture implies that where there is no law or knowledge of it, there is no sin charged to their account. Each will have to decide their own convictions because there little to go on.

First off, Thank you for your response.

Could you tell me your thoughts on Mathew? Also, I saw you quote David and how he claimed to be with his child again, but that falls under the grace of the Dad. This is also found in with Noah, by the grace of Noah that God had for him, they were spared. So; that being said are you seeing this through the perspective of a saved child's parents or of one whom has devious parents.

God bless you

[gdemoss]

I have seen the "Age of Accountability" show up here and there, yet it still puzzles me. Presumably it declares that all whom are within the "age of accountability" go to Heaven, yet what do you think about Mathew 7:17-20?

17Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. 18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20Why by their fruits you shall know them.

Pro 20:11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work [be] pure, and whether [it be] right.

The bible is repleat with the common knowledge that there will be a judgment that is based upon the works of men. Many have gone to great lengths to seek a way around this truth. While we all know that Christ bought all of humanity with his blood upon the cross at Calvary, he will sit as judge knowing exactly what light anyone of any age has been given and he will decide the fate of every single individual who has ever lived, whether they had been quick or dead. And as it is written that it will be more tolerable for Sodom than Capernaum in the day of judgment, I believe that same goes for small children who do not 'know' what they are doing. To whom much is given much is expected and the reverse is true as well. I am just excited to know that we have a righteous judge who bought me for a price and knows that I am truly his, awaiting his appearing with joy!

Again consider:

1Cr 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

According to the word of God, there is a definite point at which a child becomes a man and a transformation takes place where all things change.

[Jayyycuuup]

I have seen the "Age of Accountability" show up here and there, yet it still puzzles me. Presumably it declares that all whom are within the "age of accountability" go to Heaven, yet what do you think about Mathew 7:17-20?

17Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. 18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20Why by their fruits you shall know them.

Pro 20:11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work [be] pure, and whether [it be] right.

The bible is repleat with the common knowledge that there will be a judgment that is based upon the works of men. Many have gone to great lengths to seek a way around this truth. While we all know that Christ bought all of humanity with his blood upon the cross at Calvary, he will sit as judge knowing exactly what light anyone of any age has been given and he will decide the fate of every single individual who has ever lived, whether they had been quick or dead. And as it is written that it will be more tolerable for Sodom than Capernaum in the day of judgment, I believe that same goes for small children who do not 'know' what they are doing. To whom much is given much is expected and the reverse is true as well. I am just excited to know that we have a righteous judge who bought me for a price and knows that I am truly his, awaiting his appearing with joy!

Again consider:

1Cr 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

According to the word of God, there is a definite point at which a child becomes a man and a transformation takes place where all things change.

Thank you for your Response Gary,

I will ask you the same, what do you think of the Mathew verse that I posted? As for the scripture you posted and what you said I agree. I believe that children will be under a different judgement but at the same time; as hard as I would like to think every child would and will go to heaven, it contradicts what scripture says. Short of a miracle from God bad fruit cannot yield good fruit. I believe the age of accountability was a man made's twist on what scripture says, as we know God of being loving we think to ourselves how could such a loving God cast a child into burning torment, the same reason as He commanded his servants to kill man women and child, the evil I believe is within them, and within their hearts, there is no escaping the evil within the generation. Take the Amakalites for instance, God commanded them all to be killed. Why? Because they were wicked. And the fruit they bared was wicked. This does not take away from the heart and love of God, for He only knows within the heart, we are on the outside looking in.

As hard as I would like to tell myself all children go to heaven, I just cannot,.

God bless you Gary

[allofgrace]

Rom 7:7-12 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. 9 I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. 10 And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. 11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. 12 Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good. What does Paul mean by this passage? How did he know about the evil of covetousness, the law said you shall not covet. Tell me how he baby knows about committing any known sin. Where there is no law there is no sin. As for the Matthew passage I do not believe it would apply to someone that did not willfully know to choose good or evil. It would have to come from the heart. This is something that you will have be persuaded of, I cannot see God sending a baby to hell for being born.

I forgot about your statement that David's son was like Noah's children, no I don't see the exception lying there for only those, after all they were grown children I believe.

Edited December 19, 2012 by allofgrace

[Jayyycuuup]

Rom 7:7-12 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. 9 I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. 10 And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. 11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. 12 Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good. What does Paul mean by this passage? How did he know about the evil of covetousness, the law said you shall not covet. Tell me how he baby knows about committing any known sin. Where there is no law there is no sin. As for the Matthew passage I do not believe it would apply to someone that did not willfully know to choose good or evil. It would have to come from the heart. This is something that you will have be persuaded of, I cannot see God sending a baby to hell for being born.

I forgot about your statement that David's son was like Noah's children, no I don't see the exception lying there for only those, after all they were grown children I believe.

Even there is pure speculation, even on either side. I know God is a just judge and in my heart I know this. This wasn't a question pertaining to God's judgement etc. was just seeing what other's "cases" were towards the said "age of accountability."

oh, and thank you so very much for your responses

God bless you friend !!

[allofgrace]

It is a difficult subject. I just thought about the passage in Romans 1 also where it declares that all are without excuse because His creation reveals His invisible attributes and it is written on the hearts of men but those who reject this light suppress that truth in their lives willingly and a small child could not reason this out in their hearts and purposefully suppress this truth at an early age. Romans 1:18-23 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

[AlexanderJ]

The Lord is...not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9

Whatever the case may be, we can rest assured that God will not send one soul to Hell who did not get the chance to believe on Him.

[Jayyycuuup]

It is a difficult subject. I just thought about the passage in Romans 1 also where it declares that all are without excuse because His creation reveals His invisible attributes and it is written on the hearts of men but those who reject this light suppress that truth in their lives willingly and a small child could not reason this out in their hearts and purposefully suppress this truth at an early age. Romans 1:18-23 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

Taking this into account; I am saved by the blood of Christ, made knew and washed in His blood. He is my savior and my king, without Him I would not be here to day both in a sense of creation and medically., I have known Him since a young age but just of this summer God has become so real to me. There are many who have came to God at an even younger age then me. . . that being said, it does not set the standards, but what standards? Where are these "standards" of the age and how do we even know if there actually an age, then at what age does it begin and at what age does it end?

Again thank you for your response

God bless you