We live in an age and in a country where in the last fifty years, fifty, or possibly, sixty million innocent babies have been sacrificed at the altar of convenience. A natural question to arise is – did these babies go to Heaven?
Scripture tells us that the answer is “Yes.”
The principle of accountability is found throughout the Word of God.
Moses said that when Israel rebelled against the Lord and refused to enter the Promised Land, the innocent children, who at that time did not know the difference between good and evil, would be allowed to enter the Land. (Deuteronomy 1:39) In Isaiah chapter seven, the kings of Syria and Israel were threatening Judah. The prophet said that a child would be born, and before the child was old enough to choose between right and wrong, the two kings would be no more. (Isaiah 7:16)
As a result of David’s infamous sin with Bathsheba, an infant was born. The infant was “very sick.” David fasted and prayed for seven days, but the child died. David said, “I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” (II Samuel 12:23) David was confident in his own relationship with the Lord and was also confident that he would see his innocent child in Glory.
The Lord Jesus showed us the importance of child-like innocence.
“And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 18:3
“But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 19:14Jesus said that those who do not have the ability to see, or understand, right and wrong would not have sin, but those who can see are guilty. (John 9:41) By this statement, the Lord Jesus noted that there is accountability for sin based on personal abilities. Some persons, because of disability or because of youth, cannot be accountable. The Lord, Who knows each heart, judges who is accountable and who is not. We cannot, and should not, judge. (Matthew 7:1)
Some believe that children are accountable for sin because we all are born with a sin nature. This stance does not consider the difference between having a sin nature and actually sinning.
Our Heavenly Father is holy. In His holiness He is also righteous. I have difficulty in thinking that any righteous person, much less the Most High God, would condemn a child or disabled person for a sin that they do not recognize or understand. Praise the Lord for His mercy and grace to each of us who are accountable!