One of the problems of youth is the desire to grow up to adulthood fast. Perhaps when one is young the allure of adulthood is attractive. Yet, adulthood carries with it increasing responsibilities as the years begin to multiply. Responsibilities are not very great when we are born into this world; we are cared for completely by parents and by God. Yet, as the year’s increase we no longer are cared for completely, but must began to bear some responsibility for ourselves and for our actions, this is what sociologist call maturing.
The maturing process creates problems and necessary restraints upon our actions because society recognizes that because we have matured to a certain point we are now amenable to established laws. This process may vary some from state to state, some states require that a person who desires to drive an automobile must take driver’s education classes, and some at 15 years of age others at different ages. The laws pertaining to driving then are to be obeyed by all citizens. If one does not abide within the boundaries of the laws that apply to operating a motor vehicle, the person will have trouble with the police and the courts because they have failed to accept responsibility to obey the law. This is true of the maturing (i.e., ageing) process regarding all areas of life, moral, ethical, and all other areas where law and God require that we exercise responsibility.
Now! God does, indeed require that whenever person reach the age of accountability (i.e., an age when one recognizes and is able to choose between good and evil). Whenever a person is too young to determine the difference between good and evil, God takes care of the person until they reach accountable age. Remember this; accountable age is a point in the maturing process for each person when they become personally responsible for their sins. The Bible clearly establishes that God takes care of the person unable to determine good and evil (i.e., a child), Matt 18:2-5, “> And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, > And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. > Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. > And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me” (KJV). The reference indicates clearly that the childlike qualities possessed by a child ought to be the qualities that a mature, saved from sin, person should possess. A similar passage is found in Mark 9:36-37, NOTE: ” And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me” (KJV). As we search the Holy Scriptures we find that God has always recognized children that are incapable of choosing between right and wrong as safe, having no responsibility to believe, repent, confess Him, and be baptized. The childlike qualities found in little children then, are the kind of qualities that ought to be found in Christians. Please notice the Biblical teaching about personal responsibility of those that know the difference between right and wrong and having the ability to choose the right instead of the wrong.
Joshua 24:15, “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (KJV). From this passage, we understand that Joshua is speaking to the people that possess the ability to choose between serving the one true God and the false god, Baal. Joshua says to them that they are to personally choose between God (i.e., RIGHTEOUSNESS) and Baal (i.e., UNRIGHTEOUSNESS). The choice is theirs to make.
Hebrews 5:8-9, Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him”
Salvation from sin, as taught in this passage is dependent upon the individual’s ability to obey Christ. The individual must obey whatever Christ has caused to be required for salvation from sin. The text states, “… all them that obey him.” Can a person be saved from his/her sins any other way?
John 8:24, “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (KJV).
John 17:20, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word“ (KJV). These two passages of Scripture show that to obey Christ is to obey the message of His Apostles.
Man is to believe that Jesus Christ is the promised one (i.e., the Son of God).
Man is also to obey the teachings of Jesus’ Apostles as they would obey Him personally, NOTE: “… believe on me through their word.” “their word” is the word of Jesus’ Apostles received from the Holy Spirit (i.e., the Comforter), sent by Christ to guide the apostles into all truth.
CONSIDER THIS: Mankind is therefore responsible to obey Jesus Christ when accountable. To reject Jesus Christ and His instructions if to condemn oneself to an awful state:
1 Peter 4:17, “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God“(KJV).
Matthew 10:28, “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (KJV).
2 Peter 2:4, “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment” (KJV).
Revelation 20:13-14, And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hades delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death” (KJV)