The Age of Accountability (Commentary)

9/30/2002
Updated 1/30/2003

I'm getting concerned with society bending, shaping, and molding the set of values that are part of whom God has requested that we be.  He has ordained certain things:
   * Our undivided love.  (1st - 4th commandment )
   * Our commitment to upholding His commandments.  
   * Loving one another

God has also already clued us into the fact that in these "end-times" ungodliness will be rampant and visible to all.  

2 Timothy 3

1. This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3. Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4. Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

So, man - in his attempt to make all things work out his way - has created a society where the government, government agencies, or schools are shouldering the burdens of giving morals to our children.  The problem with this method of education it is not particularly "Godly", it is not reverent to the commandments (like, honor your father and mother ).  It just doesn't work.  This is called a form of godliness... where we make up the rules to try to get people to conform to an acceptable, in fact, almost a good doctrine. Here's the next verse from scripture:

5. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

An article on the web makes me wonder about the Age of Accountability, that is, when does God consider a sin a sin?  When will He consider you accountable?  

Some things to consider:
  * Adam and Eve had knowledge that eating from the tree was wrong.  They did it anyway, and were punished.
  * A young child who is told to not touch a hot stove has no knowledge until he/she is burned.
  * People (prior to the 10 commandment) did wrong.  The 10 commandments laid it out for them and gave them knowledge as to what is, and is not wrong.
  * A mother, or father raising their child teaches right from wrong.  

An interesting reading on the web tried to conclude that the age of accountability is the age of 20.  This was based on the fact that the Jews who visited the promised land (and were too scared to enter) were punished, but NOT the children under age 20.  

Other things to consider:
  * A bar-mitzvah (or bas-mitzvah) is held at the age of 13.  
  * A confirmation is held at the age of (about) a child in 7th grade.  (12-13 years old)

Both of these events are considered to be "age of accountability" events.  Further, before a child (in the catholic faith) can receive communion he/she must first receive the sacrament of reconciliation.  This event happens in 2nd grade, typically... about the age of 7-8. 

While each denomination of faith may view the "age of accountability" differently, it is clear that regardless of the faith, each of us does become accountable to our sins, before God.  He (God) knows when you become accountable before Him.  

So, now to the crux of the issue: Why are abortion pills being handed out to 11 year olds in England?
(click here for reference article)

Have we as individuals become:
  * Lovers of Self
  * Disobedient to Parents
  * Having sex without natural affection
  * Despisers of those who are good, like your parents
  * Lovers of Pleasure over the Love of God

The pills are available without parental consent, thus, stating before God that the will of the people is a higher authority that He (God) had ordained... that Father & Mother should rule over the child.  And, what of this "age of accountability"... is a child at 11 years old accountable for his/her actions?  If so, then is the child in sin?

Is the child accountable:
1. If a child has sex, God is required to show up to allow the creation of a new life.  
2. If a child bears a child, then the child is no longer a child - but a father or a mother.  Therefore, old things have passed away... The parents are effectively married. In being brought together physically they have  become one in the child. (The two become one flesh.)

Yes, the child is accountable.
In Numbers 30 (one example) are specific rules for a father, mother, and child.  The rules are very specific for the father.  No one else can claim to be the father of the child, therefore, the burden belongs to the natural father to come into compliance - regardless of age.  While a child-father or child-mother may not be of the same maturity as his or her own father or mother, the responsibility squarely lies on the child to bear the burdens associated with it.  Of course, abortion confounds the issue adding sin upon sin.  Adultery was the first, Killing is the second.  Satan's was is not the way to forgiveness, but to see each person slip further into darkness - away from God.

How is the Grandparent accountable.
Exodus 20, the Ten Commandments state that Adultery is a sin.  In Deuteronomy 4:
9. "Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren, 

If a grandparent has diligently taught the child, and the child disobeys of his/her own accord, the grandparent is not guilty.  The grandparent has done the job expected.

Conclusion
Having sex is premeditated.  TV, Videos, movies all rate it as a great achievement in life.  Men's Life magazine (one example) wants every man to know that the reason to work out, is to achieve sex out of wedlock. Premeditated is what Adam and Eve did in the garden... they premeditated on touching the tree of knowledge, thus, they were sinful.  The difference between premeditated and not is your knowledge.  If you know beforehand, it's premeditated, therefore ~ in my opinion ~ qualified for judgment as a sin before God.

We all fall short.  We all sin.  We all have sinned.  But, we don't have to give away pills, deceiving the youth of this world that "if you can get away with it, don't sweat it".  That is Satan's way.  Do you want to be his helper? The bottom line is, it is wrong.  It's wrong for society to deceive the children.  It's wrong to send the wrong message to our children.

Take the child's hand and bring them to church, instead of the school nurse.  Teach them good morals, the morals you were taught - or still need to learn.   But, realize - this is an abomination before God to usurp His authority and control.  Someone's head is going to roll for this one... I don't want it to be mine.

God loves you.

He is so merciful.

God bless you on your journey. I love you too.

Call today.