© 16 Colin Melbourne
For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
Rom. 7:9 KJV
Writing under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, God’s Apostle to the Gentiles makes a profound statement that applies to each of us, yet its meaning floats over most Christians’ heads.
Let His Spirit reveal it to you now.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for covering me with your Name, fill me afresh with your Spirit, so that I can know and reflect, your Glory in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Paul writes of his Jewish childhood; I was alive without the law once. Meaning; he was alive to God, spiritually aware, to some extent, of his Creator, before knowing His judgments, His Law, and of course long before he was born again.
He makes the point; the instant he became conscious of the law, he was convicted as guilty, and condemned to spiritual death.
He lost his connection with God, and died spiritually.
Permit me to paraphrase, to help you;
I was spiritually conscious of God, before knowing right from wrong, but as soon as I was old enough to know the difference, I was convicted, and died spiritually.
He’s writing about the Age of Accountability that each of us comes to as we grow up.
Hear it again;
For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
This experience isn’t just for Jews, it happens to each Gentile child as well.
You can say like him, “I was alive without the law once…”.
That’s because, though born unrighteous, sinful to the core, of sinful flesh inherited from our parents, we are preserved under God’s grace because of our ignorance as babes. Rom. 5:12-14 KJV;
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have 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 to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
People describe babies and toddlers as “innocent”.
“Oh she looks so beautiful, and innocent!”
Indeed, but that harmless mask rapidly dissolves when they don’t get their own way, as new parents soon discover.
Mum and Dad are presented with fresh opportunities to display the fruit of the Holy Spirit in their lives; typically at three am., or in a crowded supermarket.
Divine Intimacy
Babies cannot experience the divine intimacy that is possible for a child of God.
Babies are not born again, they can’t be, they are too young, but the LORD does not count their sinfulness against them because they are neonates.
He cannot have true fellowship with sinful flesh, and babies are sinful flesh: Born, children of the Devil who need to be born again spiritually. (Rom. 3:9-10,23, 5:12-14, Jn. 8:44, Eph. 2:1-3, 1 Jn. 3:10) So the extent of their awareness of God is limited.
What is the Age of Accountability?
The Bible does not specify a precise age when children become spiritually aware of right and wrong, and thereafter accountable to God.
Children raised hearing the Law probably come under condemnation sooner than children raised in a godless home.
For most, we can infer it is around the age of 4-8 years old, and that exception is made for the mentally incapacitated.
However, we are certain that neonates who die prematurely, or are aborted, do indeed go to be with the LORD. As prophesied by repenting King David (See 2 Sam. Ch. 12). This is tremendous consolation for those grieving over the loss of their baby, and the worldwide slaughter of unborn children. But it can never justify abortion.
At what age did you begin to recognize right from wrong? Let me know when you first became conscious of personal sin.
I don’t recall any awareness of God whilst I was a baby, or child, though I accept that some Christians do have clear recollection of genuine childhood divine encounters.
…that aeroplane is going to crash!
For example, a pastor’s young son was asleep on the rear seat of their car whilst Mum waved his father away at a country airfield.
The Spirit-filled pastor was being flown by a church-member to conduct a funeral.
The lad awoke with a start, and cried out in anguish, Doesn’t Daddy know that aeroplane is going to crash into the mountain?
No sooner had the words left his mouth, than the aircraft crashed into a nearby mountain range, killing all on board.
That was God trying to warn the father, but clearly the father wasn’t tuned into the Spirit, but dominated by thinking, “I must get to the funeral on time.” Led by his mind: Ignoring the Holy Spirit. His wife also missed God.
Whereas the youngster, still under the age of accountability, would be open to the Spirit of the LORD, especially whilst his own mind was calm and resting. So the LORD tried to warn the parents through their son.
Perhaps, even if the boy had awoken in time to warn his father directly, his alarm would have been brushed aside.
After the Age of Accountability
The Holy Ghost continues through the Apostle Paul;
…when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
Whatever age it occurs, the child is henceforth accountable to God for every sin, every thought, every word, and every deed, during its brief tenure on Earth: It now knows right from wrong and, because it is a sinner, it cannot do right for doing wrong.
It will be judged by Almighty God, and bear His wrath forever in Hell, unless and until, it is truly born again after; hearing the Gospel of the LORD Jesus Christ, repenting and believing in Him.
That is why Jesus said to us, Jn. 3:6-7 KJV;
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
This experience is not a mushy emotion, but follows a definite decision to turn from all sin and follow Christ as LORD.
Have you made that decision to say, ‘yes’ to Jesus, and ‘no’ to sin?
If not, you are still fully accountable to Almighty God for all your sins.
Some claim to “receive Jesus as Lord”, but continue in sin, so they invalidate their salvation, and remain Hell-bound.
Here’s how to make sure you are a genuine Christian.
Traditional Christianity has failed to teach Gospel. The result: Lifeless religion, dead rituals and ceremonies that can never please God: The Gospel Message of Christ brings Life, miracle healing, and salvation from sin and religion. Let TL. Osborn share with you The Gospel Message that Works.
© 16 Colin Melbourne
