Accountable or not?

[Dan the Man]

gay

 

[thegospelisgoodnews]

If a child is old enough to understand how to commit suicide, are they old enough to be held accountable for their sins? I ask this because the 6 year old son of a buddy of mine who died from war wounds killed himself a couple years later after struggling since his dad's death (his mom also committed suicide after his dad died). There's a little more about the story in the link in my prayer requests. I want to believe Kolton is in this place we call heaven, but after reading what some people believe about even younger innocent babies going to hell, I really wonder. I realize we can't ever really know for sure, but I'm just curious what people think about this. I want to be able to give comfort to his family and reassure them that they'll see him again, but I don't even know what to think.

WOW! thats sad any way you look at it, I personally don't believe a child becomes accountable until their teens, and even then that may be a stretch since their such a self centered bunch in those years. I would imagine Gods mercy goes along way with someone who saddness over takes them

 

[singpeace]

Suicide is not the unforgivable sin. Jesus spoke of the unforgivable sin in Matt. 12:22-32. The context is when the Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of the devil. Therefore, suicide is not the unforgivable sin.


Severe depression robs the mind of clear thinking. People in such states are despondent, not in their right mind.


If Jesus bore that person's sins on the cross 2000 years ago, and if suicide was not covered, then the Christian was never saved in the first place and the one sin of suicide is able to undo the entire work of the cross of Christ. This cannot be. Jesus either saves completely or he does not.

 

[Dan the Man]

WOW! thats sad any way you look at it, I personally don't believe a child becomes accountable until their teens, and even then that may be a stretch since their such a self centered bunch in those years. I would imagine Gods mercy goes along way with someone who saddness over takes them

I hope you're right.

Suicide is not the unforgivable sin. Jesus spoke of the unforgivable sin in Matt. 12:22-32. The context is when the Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of the devil. Therefore, suicide is not the unforgivable sin.


Severe depression robs the mind of clear thinking. People in such states are despondent, not in their right mind.


If Jesus bore that person's sins on the cross 2000 years ago, and if suicide was not covered, then the Christian was never saved in the first place and the one sin of suicide is able to undo the entire work of the cross of Christ. This cannot be. Jesus either saves completely or he does not.

Whether or not suicide is forgivable was not really my question. I agree with you that it is forgivable. But it is a sin, right? So if this child committed suicide and did not ask for forgiveness or never accepted God into his heart...then what?

 

[whitebeaches]

I hope you're right.



Whether or not suicide is forgivable was not really my question. I agree with you that it is forgivable. But it is a sin, right? So if this child committed suicide and did not ask for forgiveness or never accepted God into his heart...then what?

then gods kindness and loving mercy kicks in

 

[whitebeaches]

god he keeps his promises to us and this is one of them

John 10:28-29
And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given themto Me is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My father's hand.

Not even we ourselves can remove us from his hold. Its much stronger than you think.

 

[sealacamp]

If a child is old enough to understand how to commit suicide, are they old enough to be held accountable for their sins? I ask this because the 6 year old son of a buddy of mine who died from war wounds killed himself a couple years later after struggling since his dad's death (his mom also committed suicide after his dad died). There's a little more about the story in the link in my prayer requests. I want to believe Kolton is in this place we call heaven, but after reading what some people believe about even younger innocent babies going to hell, I really wonder. I realize we can't ever really know for sure, but I'm just curious what people think about this. I want to be able to give comfort to his family and reassure them that they'll see him again, but I don't even know what to think.

People may believe what ever they wish, but Christ has the last word. And in a case like this I can only refer to the words of Jesus Himself when he was confronted by those that believed one thing yet the possibility of God was greater than their belief.

Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed."

Sealacamp

 

[TammyRae]

If it is the family I'm thinking about (reading their story was heartwrenching, couldn't stop crying).... they were churchgoing, very faithful, and it sounds like the father was born again, correct?

If so, isn't his family sanctified through him and could that also make a difference if children that age had any accountability?

Either way, I think I heard that they went to church regularly and even helped others find their way to God.... it sounds like Kolton would have grown up learning about Jesus and praying to Him in church and in the family home. If any 6 year old would be brought to Heaven, I believe it would be a child like Kolton, especially given God's love and mercy....

 

[A New Dawn]

If it is the family I'm thinking about (reading their story was heartwrenching, couldn't stop crying).... they were churchgoing, very faithful, and it sounds like the father was born again, correct?

If so, isn't his family sanctified through him and could that also make a difference if children that age had any accountability?

Either way, I think I heard that they went to church regularly and even helped others find their way to God.... it sounds like Kolton would have grown up learning about Jesus and praying to Him in church and in the family home. If any 6 year old would be brought to Heaven, I believe it would be a child like Kolton, especially given God's love and mercy....

I have to agree with this. I believe that Kolton was being brought up in a truly faithful home and that his heart was in the right place. I have heard of people younger than him giving their lives to Christ, so I believe that he will be in glory with his mom and dad and sister, waiting for the rest to join them.

 

[Dan the Man]

If it is the family I'm thinking about (reading their story was heartwrenching, couldn't stop crying).... they were churchgoing, very faithful, and it sounds like the father was born again, correct?

If so, isn't his family sanctified through him and could that also make a difference if children that age had any accountability?

Either way, I think I heard that they went to church regularly and even helped others find their way to God.... it sounds like Kolton would have grown up learning about Jesus and praying to Him in church and in the family home. If any 6 year old would be brought to Heaven, I believe it would be a child like Kolton, especially given God's love and mercy....

I have to agree with this. I believe that Kolton was being brought up in a truly faithful home and that his heart was in the right place. I have heard of people younger than him giving their lives to Christ, so I believe that he will be in glory with his mom and dad and sister, waiting for the rest to join them.

But if he had not given his life to Christ?

<Staff Edit>

 

[TammyRae]

Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." After he placed his hands on them, he went away.

Matthew 19:14-15



I believe that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as Kolton, especially with all the agony that poor little child suffered and God's perfect justice and mercy....

 

[Dan the Man]

Ok. Thank you to those who responded. I hope that Kolton and all of his family is in heaven. It would be a shame if they of all people did not make it after all they did for others while they were here on earth.

If so, isn't his family sanctified through him and could that also make a difference if children that age had any accountability?

This brought up something else I had not even thought about for my own life. Do you think children who are under the age of accountability can be saved through their parents?

 

[whitebeaches]

they are saved through gods grace

 

[whitebeaches]

<Staff Edit>

im sure he knew the difference between right and wrong. but thats got nothing to do with his anguish and grief. i truly believe these were good people whose brains could not handle the trauma they faced. and god knows this and he is loving and merciful and kind and he has completely healed them now of all hurts.

 

[mandelduke]

No baby’s go to hell. And no christen will go to hell, because they didn’t ask forgiveness for a sin.

 

[MercyGrace]

God delights in showing mercy. God has compassion on the fatherless. Jesus said, "Let the little children come unto me." I think we hide ourselves in the character of God when we don't know the answers. Agonizing over the soul of this precious little boy won't help him and will only hurt you so just know he's in the hands of Jesus, the one who died for him and who loves him more than anyone on earth ever did.

I know this has nothing to do with salvation exactly, but in Numbers, God held the Israelites responsible for grumbling and doubting Joshua and Caleb if they were twenty years old and above. Twenty was the age of service in the army as well so they were counted in the census. But I find it interesting that apparantly if someone was 18, they were not going to die in the wilderness but would eventually go into the Promised Land. Perhaps this is a sign that the age of adulthood or maturity or accountability is 20. Of course, I'm just speculating here, but I do find it interesting. God didn't say EVERYONE who complained would die but only those who were over 20 years of age and complained: "You will all drop dead in this wilderness! Because you complained against me, every one of you who is twenty years old or older and was included in the registration will die." Numbers 14:29 (NLT)

 

[Dan the Man]

Agonizing over the soul of this precious little boy won't help him and will only hurt you so just know he's in the hands of Jesus...

I agree but I just thought maybe there was something I could tell the family to help put their minds at ease. People are always tormenting them by telling them what he did was horrible and he's burning in hell. When you're already mourning and then you hear that negative stuff, sometimes you begin to believe it. I guess I'll just forget about it though and not get involved in something I don't need to be.

 

[A New Dawn]

I agree but I just thought maybe there was something I could tell the family to help put their minds at ease. People are always tormenting them by telling them what he did was horrible and he's burning in hell. When you're already mourning and then you hear that negative stuff, sometimes you begin to believe it. I guess I'll just forget about it though and not get involved in something I don't need to be.

Dan, I know how hard it must be for them after all that's happened, but really, these are things we need to take on faith. Anyone who knows them knows how he was raised, and knows that they loved the Lord. To me, that is all that is important.

 

[Dan the Man]

I wish I could have faith. Unfortunately I don't think I can believe anymore.

 

[MercyGrace]

It's hard to want to say something and not have the words, but really, I doubt anything you could say would stop the pain and grief they feel. However, you certainly could counter the false and hurtful things being said to the family.

False: Suicide is unforgiveable. Truth: No sin is unforgiveable. Jesus' blood covers ALL sin.

False: The child is in hell. Truth: The child is with Jesus. Jesus is the Judge. He decides what to do with that child. And what do you think the One who said, "Let the little children come to me" would do?

False: God is eager to punish sin. Truth: God is eager to forgive sin and extend mercy.

False: God is harsh and mean. Truth: God is gentle, loving, and compassionate. Although His holiness demands justice, His wrath against sin was poured out on Jesus on the cross. He LONGS to be in fellowship with us. He yearns over us like the father of the prodigal son who RAN to meet his returning son.

False: God is impatient with weak people. Truth: God constantly, in both the Old and New Testaments, talks about the importance of encouraging and supporting and helping the weak, not condemning them.