Q. I lost a little brother to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. He wasn’t baptized yet, nor did he have a chance to believe in Jesus. Where is he now? — T.B., Pompano Beach
A. First, may I express my sympathy for your loss. The Bible is clear that there is an age of accountability that a child must attain before they are held responsible for their decisions:
“By the time this child is old enough to eat curds and honey, he will know enough to choose what is right and reject what is wrong. But before he knows right from wrong, the two kings you fear so much — the kings of Israel and Aram — will both be dead” (Isaiah 7:15-16 NLT).
When we combine this area of Scripture with the story of the death of King David’s son found in 2 Samuel 12, we can conclude that children who are unable to know the difference between right and wrong will be in Heaven. That is the conclusion that we draw from David’s statement, “… “I fasted and wept while the child was alive, for I said, ‘Perhaps the LORD will be gracious to me and let the child live.’ But why should I fast when he is dead? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him one day, but he cannot return to me.” (2 Samuel 12:22-23 NLT.) David knew that he would one day join his son in Heaven, but that the child could never return to him.
From this tender story of tragedy we learn a very important truth as parents. Our only hope for the well-being of our children is the grace of God. That is why the Bible tells us that our responsibility as parents is to “Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it” (Proverbs 22:6 NLT).
The Rev. Bob Coy is senior pastor of Calvary Chapel of Fort Lauderdale.
