Every day, innocent children die in this
world.Some inherit genetic conditions
that will not allow their bodies to form correctly, and as a result they cannot
live.Some contract deadly diseases that
cause them to suffer and eventually die.Some are mortally injured in accidents or, even worse, due to the
violent acts of others.Millions are
victims of abortion, through which their lives are willfully terminated before
birth with the consent of their own parents.For certain, God hates these "hands that shed innocent blood" (Prov.
6:17).
These children are truly innocent, and
their deaths are not the results of their own sins.The Bible witnesses the fact that prior to
birth children cannot do anything good or bad (Rom. 9:11).After birth, the innocence of children is
such that Jesus held them up as examples for the rest of us, saying, "The
kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these" (Matt. 19:14), and, "Truly I say to
you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the
kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 18:3).Indeed,
we are called "children of God" in part to convey that quality of innocence
that is present in children (Phil. 2:15).Calvinists and Catholics may deny the innocence of children, but they
are in conflict with the truth of God's word.
The death of innocent children may seem to
be patently unjust, and, if we do not have a proper spiritual outlook, it can
leave us despondent.Scripture tells us
that "the wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23) and that "the soul who sins will
die" (Ezek. 18:4).Thus, when we see
innocent children suffering and dying, our sense of justice is violated.If there is no guilt of sin in children, then
why do some die?This question can be so
burdensome to parents whose children have died that they sink into despondency
and lose their faith in God.Even so,
there is an answer that will satisfy our understanding.
How then can the deaths of innocent
children be explained?To find the
answer, consider Romans 5:12-21, which contrasts Adam and Jesus.This passage is speaking directly concerning
sinners, but it also indirectly gives us an answer concerning innocent children.Calvinists have abused this passage for their
own false doctrine, but let us understand it for truth.Death has come to all descendants of Adam
because of Adam's sin, including those who are innocent of sin.None of us have inherited Adam's guilt, but all
of us have received the consequences of his sin.The scourge of sin and all of its effects
have plagued the world ever since Adam sinned so long ago."Through one man sin entered into the world,
and death through sin" (v. 12)..."by the transgression of the one the many died" (v.
15)..."by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one" (v. 17).
Thankfully, the Scriptures assure us
that death is not the end of innocent children.Again in Romans 5:12-21, we find an answer to our dilemma.Just "as sin reigned in death, even so grace
might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord"
(v. 21).Jesus came that all "may have
life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10).This abundant life has been made possible because of the death, burial,
and resurrection of Jesus.If Jesus had
not died and had not been raised from the dead, then the innocent children and
all who have died would be hopelessly trapped in death forever.However, "Christ has been raised from the
dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep" (1Cor. 15:20).If He is the first fruits, then other fruits
are to follow, and the children who have died in their innocence will also be
raised up from the dead.
Therefore, it is at the resurrection of
the dead on the last day that justice will be settled for the innocent children
who have died.The Lord has said, "Do
not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs
will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a
resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of
judgment" (John 5:28-29).Physical death
will not hold anyone forever, for Jesus will call all souls from the grave in
the day of judgment.Those souls who are
judged as guilty of sin without forgiveness will go away into the eternal
second death (Rev. 21:8).However, those
innocent souls of children will have abundant life forever, and the physical
deaths they suffered in this world will be of no consequence in eternity.Thus, the justice of God will be done, and
the innocent will live forever.
