Another makeshift theory is the theory of
salvation by INNOCENCE. Most Christians today, including the so-called "Fundamentalists" who claim to believe the whole unadulterated Word of God, believe this lie.
They tell us that a baby that dies in infancy, or a small child that dies before reaching the "
age of accountability," whatever that is, is alright,
automatically covered by the blood of Jesus-
SAVED! This evidently becomes
a SECOND WAY to salvation, since it is
apart from FAITH in Jesus Christ. "Oh," they glibly recite, "
the little child is INNOCENT, and therefore free from the guilt of any sin." Is that so! The Scripture says otherwise. "
Behold,
I was shaped in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me" (Ps. 51:5). In this verse David was not attempting to prove that his mother was having an adulterous affair at the time of his conception, but states the true inner condition of his own nature
from his mother's womb. Again, "
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" (Rom. 5:12). "For
ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). "For God has concluded them
ALL in unbelief, that He might have
mercy upon all" (Rom. 11:32).
If even one infant is saved without personally believing on the Lord Jesus Christ,
then there IS INDEED A-N-O-T-H-E-R W-A-Y! "He that believes shall be saved" is the unceasing and unalterable testimony of God's Word. Some of the basic ingredients in salvation are
repentance,
faith, and
confession. No infant can do any of these things! "Ah," you say, then you believe that all the little babies that have died are burning in hell!" What I am saying is what the Bible says, that
all men are BORN SINNERS, and that faith in Jesus Christ is
the ONLY WAY OF SALVATION. "As many as
RECEIVED HIM, to THEM gave He authority
to become the children of God, even to them that
BELIEVE on His name" (Jn. 1: 12).
The child who dies goes into the loving hands of God who watches over the souls of all men,
who is the Saviour of all, and who deals with all out of His heart of infinite love, drawing each in the
perfect timing ordained by His wisdom and omniscience.
WE CAN TRUST HIM WITH THE FATE AND DESTINY OF OUR LITTLE ONES, for the Judge of all the earth shall DO RIGHT,
but He does not cancel His redemptive process for any offspring of Adam, all must come the same route, the infant included.
Source:
The Savior of the World, by J. Preston Eby
Kindgdom Bible Studies Savior of the World Series Part 1
