Settling the Issue of Innocence

Well we settled it among ourselves. Our men’s group took a stab at the "innocence" issue, and came up with a broad consensus. I'm sure it won't be popular, but then Christianity never was intended to. We all agree that we are born "into" sin, but aren't born sinful. We came to this knowledge from King David's words in 2 Samuel 12: 21-23. (Read passage) The gist being that he knew he would see his dead son when he too died. We came to understand that through Adam, sin came into the world, but it doesn't have to have dominion over us. (Genesis 4:6&7) However, we also know from the Word of God, that all men have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. This makes us all individually accountable for our own sins. So, when do we lose our innocence? When do we become accountable for our sins? God has an answer, but the answer is one that I prefer to leave in the intimacy of our men's group. (Some things though scriptural, can be divisive, and lead to misunderstanding when stood up against men’s traditions, this is one of those things.) Suffice it to say, we’ve resolved to our satisfaction that little babies and children won't burn in hell. 

As for all other peoples, we have to defer to Bro. Paul. (Romans 1:13-32) There is no excuse for anyone, no matter if they’ve heard the Gospel or not. However, there is God's mercy, compassion, and Grace. We can't find scripture to relieve anyone of the death sentence of sin. We simply know it isn't God who sends us to hell. We do that heinous task ourselves. All men, except one, have given in to the desires of the flesh. So, while we don't believe in TOTAL depravity, we do believe that all men sin. From the book of Romans, we know that the wages of sin is death. To repeat our earlier consensus, we aren't dying because of Adam's sin; we are dying because of our own sin. Each man will be accountable for his own actions. Which brings us full circle, back to where this all started. 

We are all dying because of our own sin. Innocent babies, the mentally challenged, and children to the age of accountability are not judged. 

 We are helpless to erase the death penalty that stands against us. The death sentence can’t be undone by our works. 

 Sinman (our euphemism for sinful man) is hopelessly lost in his sin. 

 The question still remains, how do we get Him into the Kingdom of God? 

 That question brings us back to 'all men have sinned.' Next week, we'll get back to the lesson sheet that got us here. 

 WHEW!

 Tough lessons, but worth the rabbit chase.