Salvation is being born of the spirit...as in a spiritual birth......
Paul said....that he was alive once without the law, heard the law and then sin revived and he died........what did he mean?
He obviously did not die physically so......My conclusion is he was safe and alive under grace before he reached that age where he became mentally and spiritually accountable unto God.....I.E> he became aware of his sin and sin nature by the word of God...at which time he died.....he was reborn spiritually the day he acknowledged JESUS by faith and admission as LORD......
There are allusions to what we label the age of accountability when it comes to children....no particular set age per se....but when David's son with Bathsheba died (a picture of the innocent son of David paying the price-->Jesus) David said he would go to that child and see that child again some day......
So I guess I am saying....we are safe under the banner of blood and grace until we become aware of our nature, we are dead spiritually and must be reborn fro above by the spirit........
It is early and I am still half asleep....so........