Lil Something to Chew on this Monday .... A question posed to me...

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ramx2016

Guest
#1
#1
Good morning all,

I had an interesting question posed to me recently and I really had no answer to give. it's quite simple really....

Question - Assuming most of us believe the age of innocence ends between 12 and 14 (debatable I know) years of age... at what point / level of conscientiousness is one expected by God to be saved (e.g. committed to God and accountable for their actions) ? Yes, in terms of salvation should they die.

- - Assume an "average" middle class upbringing in the US - where most all are exposed Jesus in some form or fashion from early years.

- - Also assume the parents are "fly by night Christians" attending church on some holidays... Jesus is not really discussed at home - they do believe in God - but that's about as far as it goes.

This was a SERIOUS question so please help me out here. I'm posting this intentionally on the young adults forum since it deals with young adults / teens. AND because many, many of our youth today fall into this category of loose Christian parents and a humanistic world that only drags them the other way.

Being 41 that was really an interesting question....many of US now devoted Christians who HAD a Christian upbringing - didn't live by the Word our entire lives to be sure....

Thoughts?
 
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Ultimatum77

Guest
#2
#2
ramx2016 said:
Good morning all,

I had an interesting question posed to me recently and I really had no answer to give. it's quite simple really....

Question - Assuming most of us believe the age of innocence ends between 12 and 14 (debatable I know) years of age... at what point / level of conscientiousness is one expected by God to be saved (e.g. committed to God and accountable for their actions) ? Yes, in terms of salvation should they die.

- - Assume an "average" middle class upbringing in the US - where most all are exposed Jesus in some form or fashion from early years.

- - Also assume the parents are "fly by night Christians" attending church on some holidays... Jesus is not really discussed at home - they do believe in God - but that's about as far as it goes.

This was a SERIOUS question so please help me out here. I'm posting this intentionally on the young adults forum since it deals with young adults / teens. AND because many, many of our youth today fall into this category of loose Christian parents and a humanistic world that only drags them the other way.

Being 41 that was really an interesting question....many of US now devoted Christians who HAD a Christian upbringing - didn't live by the Word our entire lives to be sure....

Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Wow great question....my guess is around 15-16 when your transitioning to High School and the hormones kick in....you're kind of leaving the child like phase and becoming more independent and having to think of the future...I would think 15-16 is the upper limit of God's accountability range starting from 13-16 yo depending on the person's maturity level...and then after 16 there's no excuse for not accepting salvation...again all my opinion...no Bible backup on this lol
 
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ramx2016

Guest
#3
#3
Thank you for the reply! The confusion comes in (I believe) ... in the fact that "kids" in the bible OT and NT were able to be married from 12-14 marking in one way their turning into adults and thus being held accountable by "man" (and God through their union) for their actions.

Of course... times have changed (for the better? IDK).... but that's a whole other topic to discuss...

Anyway, the thought behind the whole question was .... there is a perceived lack of concern for God or even being saved in young adults... and should they die will they go to hell .... because in all reality, compared to other nations, the U.S. while being the most humanistic, is also the home base for Christians and kids/adults ARE made aware of Jesus and the potential at everlasting life...
 
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Xeano321

Guest
#4
#4
Am I getting the impression that God will have amnesty on young kids because they don't know better? Or am I misinterpreting something?

As far as I know, parents are held responsible for how they raise their kids. If you lead one to a sinful life, Jesus said it's better to have the millstone around your neck and thrown in the sea then what wrath you built up for yourself. Does the kid get spared out of all this? I don't believe so. You'll experience Gods judgement either way, suffering for the poor decisions of your parents.
 
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Ultimatum77

Guest
#5
#5
There are so many potential answers to this we may never know until Heaven....for instance some could use the verse let everyone work out their own salvation...meaning each individual is responsible for their own salvation no matter the age...

phil 2:12
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Then of course there is the example of God sparing those under the age of 20 or so? I may have the age wrong but God spared those younger than around that age during the wilderness journey to see the promise land while the older people all died out because of their rebellion....

so it really is not specific in the Bible for a "age-limit" to where God shows mercy and excuses a child for "not being saved/understanding salvation"...a great theological question that we will forever scratch our heads over...until Heaven :)
 
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allaboutlove

Senior Member
#6
Jun 11, 2013
480
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#6
I think its important to remember we worship and all loving God. I personally believe strongly in the age of accountability, though I don't believe it's based on an a actual age but ones on maturity and understanding level.. Do you really think a loving God would send a kid who can't even read a bible to hell for the mistakes of there parents or an adult who suffers from some mental disorder and has no understanding of sin or salvation..
 
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ramx2016

Guest
#7
#7
All of you are correct of course! Parents are responsible for their kids. And yet also, everyone is responsible for their own salvation after....? a certain age or maturity level...

My response to this question which is clearly stated in the NT is that God will judge each alone for their actions and FAIRLY no matter their circumstances. And I would even throw in that like those of us with young kids... you forgive and forgive and forgive....AND FORGIVE your precious sweeties... (lol) because of Love! So your true heart will be judged... if you mess up over and over but are truly sorry... chances are you'll be forgiven just as kids are.

It's important to note as well that only those who are are pure and committed as a young child will be allowed into the Kingdom.

Also... good morning!

Need coffee!!
 
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allaboutlove

Senior Member
#8
Jun 11, 2013
480
4
18
#8
Coffee sounds great, being getting rained on all morning. :/
 
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FaithCharity

Guest
#10
#10
Xeano321 said:
Am I getting the impression that God will have amnesty on young kids because they don't know better? Or am I misinterpreting something?

As far as I know, parents are held responsible for how they raise their kids.
Click to expand...
I find this rather harsh and maybe, dare I say it, wrong. My parents were and are wonderful Christians. From walking the walk, talking the talk, and exposing us to other God-fearing people (church/youth members) my parents did everything they could to show us, their 6 kids, who Christ was and how He lived. I don't imagine my parents to be flawless but I also do not believe that how my 3 older sisters lived their lives (partying, drinking, and other highly questionable behavior) is a direct cause of my parents' teaching flaws.
My dad once told me that though he will do his best to raise us in the light, it is ultimately up to God to affect our hearts.

Disclaimer! I'm still but an infant Christian, these are my speculations on things that I believe to be true; correct me in a Godly way and I will be overjoyed!
To answer (maybe just in part) OPs questions:
First, I think the general age of accountability is 13.

In concern to youths raised in a (whether truly or shallowly) Christian home but who did genuinely believe during their youth and were baptized:
2 Corinthians 5:10 says that people will be judged according to their actions, good and bad, but since we know our salvation isn't dependent on our works this verse only applies to Christians. I believe, from personal experience, that when you accept Jesus as your savior the Spirit fills you and you are saved; whatever you do from that point, good or bad, you are still saved. In my youthful innocence I whole-heartedly accepted Christ, but, after the fact, I grew up greatly influenced by the world and my sisters and ended up doing evil. Because of that evil my soul was greatly afflicted and I fell into a period of deep depression that I believe was caused by the Spirit rebelling against my sin. So now, years later, I am still saved but have learned to walk rightly (or at least to lean towards God with a thankful heart). I believe that if I had died before I started wanting to live in a Godly way (and after I was baptized), I would have gone to heaven, though I would have had much to be accountable for.

As for those that were raised apart from Christ and who were not baptized, I sadly think that they passed to hell though I would love it if it were not so.
 
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ramx2016

Guest
#11
#11
Faith, I re-posted this under "Bible Discussion" if you are interested...

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