Lets start by saying that we are wrapped in a body that is corrupted by sin. It's natural for us to sin. A child, when they learn that something is not right and decides to do it anyway, they are sinning. James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
This child has to be taught that certain things are bad or forbidden or unacceptable. Otherwise they will do whatever they please. How many times have you been out somewhere in public and seen a little one throwing a temper tantrum or raising havoc and the parent seemingly not doing anything about it? God's word tells us that if we don't teach a child to do right, we actually are saying that we hate them. Proverbs 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
This doesn't mean that we are to take a telephone pole and beat them about the head and ears. We don't dare injure these little ones. Simply put, when you place your finger over a candles flame, you get burned and draw your hand away. Will you place your finger over it the second time? No, I don't think so. You have learned that this is something that you don't like and you probably won't want to do it again because it hurt! It's the same principle with paddling your child. We don't do it because we want to, but because we love the child and want them to remember that if they do this kind of behavior again, there is an unpleasant experience waiting on them. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Now, are they accountable to God for their sins? God has given this child to you to bring him or her up in the way they should go. That's why God ordained the family and placed the Father at the head and the Mother as his help mate! This is who that child is accountable to. And that Mother and Father are accountable to God. Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 6:2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 6:3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The parent is accountable to God if he or she doesn't teach the child right from wrong.
Until this child learns that they are lost and undone and need Jesus as their Savior, they have not yet reached the age of accountability. Romans 4:15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. They don't know that they are going against Gods law until they come to the understanding that they are.
If that child dies dies before the Holy Spirit convicts them of their sins, they will go to heaven. Luke 18:15 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 18:16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 18:17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
If you will indulge me for a minute, let me quote to you some words to a song that I can't remember the name of right now but they seem to fit. Its lyrics tell about some kids who get in trouble and the parents have to face the results of their kids actions:
Push the panic button. Call the doctor, call the preacher. Blame his generation, blame the high school teacher. Walk the floor and wring your hands and use God's name in vain. Then look into your heart and find the ones who are to blame!!!!!!!!
About the Author
Tim Davis, is the webmaster of PCIM Christian Fellowship Message Board at http://parsonscorner.org/pcimunity/ If you wish to discuss this matter further, please feel free to visit and start a thread.
http://101info.org/pcimarticles/apologetics/when-is-a-child-accountable-for-their-sins.html
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