If you have ever worked a serial case before, you already know that you start the investigation having no idea who the guy is, but as you begin to study the evidence that surfaces, patterns and traits of behavior and personality emerge which become very consistent and predictable. You reach a point where you know a lot about the general character and the personality of whom you are dealing with just by studying what has been revealed.
There are many things we can tell about the general character and personality of God as it relates to certain situations, even when the Bible seems to be “largely silent” on a particular issue. [See "On the Character of God"]
Of course, we must be extremely careful not to pick one specific characteristic and ignore the others. We can’t just say “God is love” and come to the conclusion that He automatically forgives everyone and lets them into Heaven when they die. That would be a foolish mistake, ignoring a good deal of Scripture that clearly reveals His attributes of holiness and justice which demand repentance and a specific kind of payment for sin. (See “On Forgiveness”)
In the case of where babies and little children go when they die, there is no definitive “chapter and verse” that says babies and small children go to Heaven.
The Sin Problem
The Bible clearly states that we are all sinners who will individually go to Hell if something is not done to justify the sin in our individual lives.
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” -1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Did you find yourself anywhere in that list? For example, as cops, most of us have been drunk at least once in our lifetime, right? Well, how many times do you have to get drunk to be a “drunkard?” The answer is this: once!
Have you ever stolen anything, even something as insignificant as a pen? How many times to you have to steal something to be a “thief?” Same answer. But are infants and small children really sinners? How can that be? The point to remember is that we all inherited the sin nature from Adam, and it is that sin nature which we all possess that separates us from God.
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” -Romans 5:12
Death comes to all men because of sin. But don’t get it backwards! The sinful deeds we do don’t make us sinners; our sinful nature makes us do the sinful deeds! All sins originate in the wicked hearts of men!
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” -Jeremiah 17:9
and…
“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. – James 1:13-15
Prima Facie Evidence
Those of you who are parents know that you don’t have to teach babies or little children to be selfish. That behavior comes naturally. You don’t have to teach kids to lie, steal, or hit each other. Parents have to teach their children to be considerate of others; to share their toys and to tell the truth. We have to train our children to be self-controlled! If that isn’t prima facie evidence of the sin nature at work, what is?
God’s Remedy for Sin
God’s remedy to save us from our sin was His Son’s death on the cross.
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” -Romans 5:8-10
But the benefit does not come automatically.
“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” -John 6:37
We must come to Him on His terms to be saved. Nobody can claim an inheritance if he is not named in the decedent’s will!
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” -John 3:16
Notice that belief is a necessary ingredient in God’s remedy for sin.
“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” -Luke 13:5
Notice also that repentance, your volitional change of mind to turn from sin and come to the Lord, is necessary. [See "On Repentance"]
Repentance and belief are things which infants and most small children simply are not capable of comprehending. They require both an intellectual and heart recognition and admission of personal sin, a serious and deliberate decision to turn from sin to God, and a true heart belief in Jesus Christ as being God crucified for their sin!
A Question
Would a loving God, who desires none to perish but all to come to repentance, provide a remedy for sin which infants and small children are incapable of even choosing to accept or receive? Unless I am missing something about the personality and character of God, I do not believe He would. Certainly the Sovereignty and Holiness of God is clear and He can do no injustice. Infants and small children, just as adults, are sinners by nature, so God would be well within His attributes of righteousness and holiness to condemn these lost sinners to Hell. But the verses regarding His plan of salvation and His unconditional love for His creation indicate that He saves repentant sinners; something which infants and small children are incapable of comprehending.
The Old Testament account of the death of King David’s infant son gives us much hope and insight into this painful topic. David (of David and Goliath fame) had committed adultery with Bathsheba and had gotten her pregnant. David’s plan was to have Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, sleep with Bathsheba so that it would appear as though Uriah had gotten her pregnant. The problem was that Uriah was a foot soldier on the front lines of battle.
David called Uriah home for an unexplained 3-day pass from the front lines. David told Uriah to go home and eat, drink, and to sleep with his wife.
One problem: Uriah’s personal integrity got in the way. No way was he going to go home and take it easy while his fellow soldiers were in the thick of battle!
“And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.” -2 Samuel 11:11
The Bible says that Uriah actually slept those three nights on the front steps of the King’s palace! David’s only way of escape was to have Uriah purposefully killed in battle. The result of this sin was the death of David’s illegitimate infant son.
We pick up the account where King David’s servants were whispering behind his back because David had been fasting and praying for days up until the infant died. Then suddenly David washed himself up and began to eat again. His servants did not understand the sudden change.
“Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. And he [David] said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” -2 Samuel 12:21-23
Notice what David says at the end of the passage: “I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” David knew he was going to Heaven when he died. He was called “a man after God’s own heart!” He had complete assurance of his eternal destiny. Knowing this, he stated emphatically that he was going to go where his dead infant son had gone! Heaven!
Conclusion
1. Every person ever born is a sinner by nature; not by deed.
2. It is not God’s will that any should perish, but it is His will that all come to repentance.
3. God’s remedy for sin is available to all who will believe.
4. David knew where his infant son was going, and he was convinced he too would go to that place: Heaven.
I hope this brief study has been an encouragement to you. Please feel free to contact me anytime if you have questions or want to discuss this issue further.
-Tim.
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