Can children go to hell?
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Asked February 02 2018
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Ara Nelson
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For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Danny Hickman
Can children go to hell?
Aurel Gheorghe gave the scripture that opposes even the notion of children going to a place of destruction.
Matthew 18:3 - Except you become like children, you will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Jesus was specific as to what He was pointing out about children when He made that statement. He followed it by saying, "Whoever humbles himself like this child is greatest in the kingdom of God." (vs 4).
Do all children act humble? I didn't ask if all children ARE humble, but do all children ACT humble. There's a big difference in how we act and who we truly are. Many are weak and dependent, but act as if we're self-determined. That's how those middle school kids are; they are as weak as creek water, and act as if they own the school. Was Jesus saying 'to inherit the kingdom of God we must become like them'? Yes, He was. Those kids are humble whether they ACT like it or not.
Jesus humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death.. (Philippians 2:8). To be humbled is to be accept a lower rank; embrace an unimportant status. (Here it is) - humble ~ to void the independence, power or will of. That's what Jesus was using children to depict.
When we VOID our independence, our power, and our will, we humble ourselves and become like children who are naturally IMPOTENT, whether they ACT that way or not. Humility isn't a matter of how a man acts, but who he is within.
If we are truly humbled God will have to do it. He repairs our aspect.
Danny Hickman
Why would Jesus declare that we must become like children, if there's a chance for children to end up in hell? That's illogical, IMO.
The thing the Christian community has to come to grips with, is the false belief that we can "become" what God is looking for or wants us to be, by learning what God wants and "making a decision" to ACT that way. That's the complete opposite of what Jesus taught. It's the exact opposite of what Paul taught.
The NKJV says, "unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of God" (Matthew 18:3). To be converted is to be transformed, changed, reformed, or as the apostle John recorded that Jesus told Nicodemus, "BORN AGAIN." (John 3)
Appearing to have a humble spirit isn't proof of humility. There are people whose culture trains them to advertise themselves as a humble people. (I won't be stereotypical and name any; some people actually think those people are humble). I don't come from a people who pretend like that. We PRETEND to be strong. (I'm being stereotypical). Some people fall for our pretense; that's all it is.
There's no way to fake being born of the Spirit of God! There's also no way to "make a decision" to be born of the Spirit of God.
"The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you don't know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with EVERYONE who is born (again) of the Spirit" (John 3:8). It's got nothing to do with how a person ACTS on the outside!