by Rex Rouis
Many Christians intuitively believe that young children and those with severe mental or emotional disabilities are welcomed into heaven, trusting in God’s loving and merciful nature. Yet, this belief raises questions: How can those unable to consciously accept Christ be saved, given that all have sinned and face God’s judgment (Romans 3:23)? Some argue that salvation requires faith in Christ, but if these individuals cannot exercise such faith, are they lost?
Scripture, particularly through the Apostle Paul’s teachings, offers insight into this dilemma by addressing when a person becomes accountable for their sins before God. To explore this, we must first understand two foundational concepts of redemption: regeneration and atonement.
Regeneration
Salvation is not merely forgiveness but a profound transformation of the heart, accomplished by the Holy Spirit. It is one thing to pardon a criminal; it is quite another to pardon them and also change their heart so that they no longer want to do the things that brought them to prison. This process, called regeneration, makes us a “new creation” in Christ, replacing our sinful nature with one aligned with God’s holiness (2 Corinthians 5:17). As Scripture declares, “He saved us… by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5, NASB). Often called the experiential or vital side of salvation, this is when we are “saved” or “born again.” Paul describes it as becoming a “new man” in Christ. This is not a gradual process but a singular event, occurring the moment we place our faith in Christ, accomplished entirely by the Holy Spirit.
Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. Ezekiel 36:26-27
…He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, Titus 3:5
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17
…and put on the new man (self), which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. Ephesians 4:24
Atonement
Regeneration requires a just basis, as God cannot overlook sin without violating His justice and holiness. Atonement refers to the legal means by which God can justly forgive sinners through Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross. Paul explains, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith.” Christ’s death satisfies God’s justice, allowing Him to forgive those who believe while remaining righteous. This atonement provides the legal foundation for regeneration, ensuring that salvation is both merciful and just.
…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:23-26
These concepts set the stage for understanding how God redeems those unable to comprehend His commands. Paul’s teachings suggest that accountability depends on awareness of God’s Law, raising the possibility that the innocent—such as young children or those with severe disabilities—may be saved through God’s grace in a manner consistent with His justice.
Initial Innocence and Age of Accountability
The question of whether young children or those with severe mental or emotional disabilities can be saved, despite their inability to consciously come to Christ, hinges on understanding when a person becomes accountable for their sins before God. The Apostle Paul’s writings in Romans provide insight into this issue, suggesting that accountability depends on knowledge of God’s Law. This principle, when considered alongside the concepts of regeneration and atonement, offers a framework for understanding God’s grace toward those unable to comprehend His commandments.
Paul explains in Romans 5:12-14 how sin and accountability operated before the Law was given through Moses:
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned—for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. (Romans 5:12-14, NASB)
Here, Paul teaches that sin entered the world through Adam, bringing death to all humanity. However, before God revealed the Law, sin was not “imputed” or counted against individuals as a violation of a specific divine command. While death still affected all due to sin’s presence, people were not held accountable for breaking a Law they did not know. This implies that accountability requires awareness of God’s standards.
Paul illustrates this principle personally in Romans 7:7-11:
I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “You shall not covet.” … I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died. (Romans 7:7-11, NASB)
Paul recalls a time when he was “alive” apart from the Law, likely in his early years before he understood God’s commandments. When he became aware of the Law, his sins were revealed, and he became accountable, experiencing spiritual separation from God (“I died”). This suggests a transition from innocence to accountability based on comprehension of divine standards.
For those who are accountable, atonement through Christ’s sacrifice is absolutely necessary. As Paul explains, faith in Christ allows God to justify sinners while remaining just:
For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” … It was also credited to him as righteousness … for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. (Romans 4:3, 22-24, NASB)
Through Christ’s atoning work on the Cross, God legally justifies believers, crediting them with righteousness. This righteousness credit nullifies the sin credit previously given, restoring one to full fellowship. This enables the Holy Spirit to regenerate them, transforming their hearts and making them new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:5).
But what of those who cannot comprehend the Law, such as young children or individuals with severe disabilities? While Paul’s writings do not explicitly address this group, the principle that “sin is not imputed when there is no law” should apply. Especially since Paul refers to himself in a similar situation when young. Accountability depends on understanding God’s commands; those incapable of such understanding are not held responsible for their sins in the same way. For them, the need for atonement through conscious faith does not apply, as their sins are not yet counted against them.
This perspective aligns with God’s justice and mercy. For those able to understand the Law, atonement through faith in Christ is essential for regeneration and salvation. For those unable to comprehend—such as young children or those with severe disabilities—God’s grace allows for their regeneration without requiring atonement, as they remain innocent of the Law’s demands. Atonement is not necessary for those who are already innocent. They are sinful, but innocent in the eyes of God. Thus, God remains just in welcoming these individuals into His kingdom, ensuring that all who enter are regenerated, whether through atonement or by His direct grace.
In conclusion, Paul’s teachings suggest that accountability for sin arises with knowledge of God’s Law. For mature individuals, salvation comes through faith in Christ’s atoning work, which enables regeneration. For those unable to understand the Law, their innocence provides a way for their just regeneration. Preserving the hope that His grace extends to even the most vulnerable.
Other Scriptures of Note
And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:2-3
“Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14
He said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who knows, the LORD may be gracious to me, that the child may live.’ But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” 2 Samuel 12:22-23 (referring to a child born out of wedlock)
…they have filled this place with the blood of the innocent and have built the high places of Baal to burn their sons in the fire as burnt offerings to Baal, a thing which I never commanded or spoke of, nor did it ever enter My mind; Jeremiah 19:4-5
Moreover, your little ones who you said would become a prey, and your sons, who this day have no knowledge of good or evil, shall enter there, and I will give it to them and they shall possess it. But as for you, turn around and set out for the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea.’ Deuteronomy 1:39-40
You slaughtered My children and offered them up to idols by causing them to pass through the fire. Ezekiel 16:21
The LORD smelled the soothing aroma; and the LORD said to Himself, “I will never again curse the ground on account of man, for the intent of man’s heart is evil from his youth (some translate as childhood); and I will never again destroy every living thing, as I have done. Genesis 8:21
Everyone is precious in God’s eyes, but these little ones are especially so. They are beautiful, innocent, and helpless. Though they may act out in rebellious ways, there is also a God-given purity in them that is undeniable. They are to be protected at all costs by everyone, including God Himself. And, indeed, He does, because they are His.