What are your beliefs regarding the natural state of humans at birth and our inherent relationship with God? Would you describe it as good, neutral, or bad? One further question remains: On what basis did you reach your conclusion? Was it shaped by accumulated experiences, a logical deduction, or perhaps an instinctual inclination?

In contrast to any subjective conclusions, the Bible is the authoritative repository of objective truth (Jude 1:3). Its teachings, spanning diverse categories of knowledge, are characterized by both reliability and trustworthiness, culminating in ultimate authority. As Jesus asserted, “Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35).

This article aims to explore the insights offered by the Bible regarding the condition of humanity. Romans 3:10-18 serves as a window into the intricacies of this topic, stating,

as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Romans 3:10-18

A Terrible Tapestry

Our opening passage is located within an extended argument, where the apostle Paul has already stated that the Righteous shall live by faith. Additionally, he has emphasized the manifestation of God’s wrath upon the unrighteous, and he has charged both the Jew and the Gentile with being under the weight of sin.

In this segment, Paul masterfully crafts a striking, metaphorical portrayal of the human condition, akin to a shocking zombie-like vision. He achieves this artistic rendering by skilfully integrating the voices of various Old Testament saints – a technique employed in this analysis. The result is a comprehensive depiction of humanity as a morally corrupt entity from head to toe.

None Is Righteous

Note that verse 10 commences with the phrase “as it is written,” indicating Paul’s intention to argue from Scripture. In it, he uncovers rich portrayals of the human condition. He quotes from Psalm 14 and Psalm 53, in which King David contemplates the folly of those who reject the existence of God. These Psalms underscore the universal sinfulness of humanity and the repercussions of turning away from God. According to David, none naturally desires to know the one true God; in fact, all willingly pursue an alternative path. If one were to assemble a room full of people who, by nature, actively seek God, that room would remain void. The repudiation of God’s existence unveils a state of corruption and moral decay, echoing Jesus’s teaching in Matthew 6:23: “If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”

They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity;

there is none who does good.

They have all fallen away;

together they have become corrupt;

there is none who does good,

not even one.

Psalm 53:1, 3

The Autopsy

A comprehensive scrutiny of the pervasive decay that has taken hold ensues, offering a meticulous examination from head to toe. Paul compels us to inspect individual body parts to grasp the extent of the decomposition. Starting with the throat, he draws a vivid parallel, likening it to an open grave emitting noxious gases and a putrid odour, assaulting the senses. The imagery of using tongues for deception evokes a serpent-like gustatory deceit, emblematic of their propensity for lies and manipulation. The tableau painted is undeniably grotesque. James 3:6 expands on this, stating, “The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.” For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue (Psalm 5:9).

Upon closer examination, it becomes apparent the mouth and lips serve as conduits for venom, expelling curses and bitterness. John Calvin, in his Commentary on Romans, aptly states, “what they breathe out is infectious; so that what they speak tends to death; so that what they mutter is deadly.” They lie in ambush, ready to unleash their mischief on any passerby, targeting their heels with malicious intent. Should they find none, they hunt. As Jesus said in John 8:44, “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning.”

They make their tongue sharp as a serpent’s,

and under their lips is the venom of asps.

Psalm 140:3

 

His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression;

under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.

Psalm 10:7

Finally, the lens is focused on their feet, where King Solomon attributes to the swift pursuit of evil at the earliest opportunity. There is a rush, an urgency in their actions, as they are determined to unleash chaos and spill blood. Prophet Isaiah, too, affirms that the sought-after blood is innocent. This acceleration towards evil, coupled with the rejection of wisdom, gives rise to moral and societal decay, unveiling a stark absence of justice, peace, and righteousness. The resulting state is one of utter misery and distress, a condition vividly described by Jesus in Mark 7:21-23, where he declares, “For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

for their feet run to evil,

and they make haste to shed blood.

Proverbs 1:16

And,

Their feet run to evil,

and they are swift to shed innocent blood;

their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity;

desolation and destruction are in their highways.

The way of peace they do not know,

and there is no justice in their paths;

they have made their roads crooked;

no one who treads on them knows peace.

Isaiah 59:7-8

The Heart of the Issue

This section culminates with a profound assertion about the fundamental cause of humanity’s fallen state is the absence of a genuine fear of God. The Book of Proverbs succinctly encapsulates this truth, stating that the fear of the LORD is the very foundation of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7). Thus, the absence of this reverence sets the stage for calamity. The intricate machinations of the wicked prominently feature a deficiency in acknowledging God with due awe. This underscores the pivotal role of the human heart in moulding not only individual actions but also moral decision-making. This vital understanding underscores that the root issue is not solely a lack of desire but, more profoundly, an inability to reverence God genuinely. R.C. Sproul put it this way, “To be spiritually dead is to be diabolically alive”. As a consequence of the Fall in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), the nature of humanity is juxtaposed against its Creator.

Transgression speaks to the wicked

deep in his heart;

there is no fear of God

before his eyes.

Psalm 36:1

Man in God’s Image

This does not imply that every sinner reaches the utmost depths of depravity, completely devoid of any qualities that might be deemed pleasing to others. Nor is every individual predisposed to every conceivable form of sin, nor are they as diametrically opposed to God as they could potentially be. Notably, Jesus recognizes commendable qualities in certain individuals (Mark 10:17-22). Even towards the Scribes and Pharisees, there is a measured acknowledgement of their efforts by Jesus (Matthew 23:23). The apostle Paul observes that among the Gentiles, there are those who, though lacking the law, naturally adhere to its principles (Romans 2:14). The narrative of Abraham, being informed about the Amorites, suggests a recognition that the degree of iniquity will intensify over time (Genesis 15:16). Moreover, Paul anticipates a progression of moral decline, asserting that “evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse” (2 Timothy 3:13).

As image bearers (Genesis 1:27), humanity inherently holds immeasurable value and dignity, representing the pinnacle of God’s creation. In the reflection of its Creator, the intricate facets of human existence unveil the profound brilliance inherent in God’s design. Delving into the intricate faculties of humanity illuminates the multifaceted intelligence embedded within God’s own nature. It is crucial to retain recognition of the Divine Mind that intricately fashioned humanity, even when contemplating the fallen state that humanity currently experiences.

The Way of Peace

Behold the stark reality that defines our human condition: We find ourselves condemned, burdened by the weight of inherited guilt and the pollution of deeds that stain our lives. This is not a matter of subjective interpretation but an undeniable truth that demands our acknowledgement and reflection (cf. James 1:23-24). Let us not shy away from confronting what we see in the mirror, for it reveals our need and produces hope.

We must remain acutely aware that we are incessantly challenged and accused before God, as stated in Revelation 12:10, and thus, our ultimate assurance resides solely in the sacrificial atonement provided by the Lamb. Our lives should be marked by a commitment to repentance and mortification of sins through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, conforming us to the likeness of Christ. Rather than viewing obedience to the Law as a means to earn salvation, we recognize it as a manifestation of the victory secured for us by Jesus Christ. Furthermore, this profound understanding should ignite a fervent passion for evangelism, driven by mercy and compassion toward those who remain in rebellion to the Triune God. As James reminds us, in James 5:20, the act of guiding a wandering soul back to the path of righteousness not only rescues them from spiritual death but also covers a multitude of sins.

In conclusion, if you find yourself still wandering on the wide path that leads to destruction, I implore you to consider the compassionate heart of Jesus, who “yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us” (James 4:5). Recognize that you stand in desperate need of this Savior, for He is not only able to save you in this very moment but, more profoundly, He is willing to save you to the uttermost (cf. Matthew 9:27-30 & Hebrews 7:23-25). This invitation to the Way of Peace is not a distant call but one extended to you right now:

“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls”

Matthew 11:28-29

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The age of accountability

It is not as if children don’t sin. Much as we would love to deny it, we see quite early in the behaviour of infants and little children, patterns that affirm a heart of sin—be it in the unkind words they speak to one another, in their self-centeredness and crave to have their way at all costs, in their bent to disobey the instruction of their parents, anger, tantrums, etc. These acts, though not well thought out by the child, are clearly sinful, going by the Biblical definition of sin.

Augustine notes in his Confessions¹, “Who is there to remind me of the sin of my infancy? (for sin there was: no one is free from sin in your sight, not even an infant whose span of earthly life is but a single day); who can remind me of it? Some little mite who is a tiny child now, in whom I might observe conduct I do not remember in myself? What then was my sin at that age? Was it perhaps that I cried so greedily for those breasts? Certainly if I behaved like that now, greedy not for breasts, of course, but for food suitable to my age, I should provoke derision and be very properly rebuked. My behaviour then was equally deserving of rebuke, but since I would not have been able to understand anyone who scolded me, neither custom nor common sense allowed any rebuke be given. After all, we eradicate these habits, and throw them off as we grow up. Yes, but I have never seen any sensible person throw away good things when clearing out, so can we suppose that even in an infant such actions were good—the actions of a child who begs tearfully for objects that will harm him if given, gets into a tantrum when free persons, older persons and his parents, will not comply with his whims, tries to hurt many people who know better by hitting out at them as hard as his strength allows, simply because they will not immediately fall in with his wishes  obey his commands, commands which will damage him if they were carried out?” 

We see from certain portions of Scripture, however, that before a certain age, which we will call the age of accountability, God does not hold us accountable for sin. The Bible does not put a number to this age—only God knows—and it will be futile to speculate with regards to the exact age of accountability. However, somewhere in the mystery of God’s grace, we see that children who cannot repent for themselves will not have their sins charged to them. If that is true, then it is true of all children who fit this description regardless of ancestral heritage (whether born to Christian parents, Muslim parents, Hindu parents or not). Jesus said let the little children come to me, for the kingdom belongs to such as these; and he did not differentiate between the children of those who believed in him and those who did not.

Some relevant passages are:

Numbers 14:28-31:

Say to them, ‘As I live, declares the Lord, what you have said in my hearing I will do to you: your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness, and of all your number, listed in the census from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against me, not one shall come into the land where I swore that I would make you dwell, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. But your little ones, who you said would become a prey, I will bring in, and they shall know the land that you have rejected.

(The ‘little ones’ were not punished along with the adults for the sin of grumbling against God and complaining, although we are told that the whole congregation grumbled and complained (Numbers 14:1-12)).

Isaiah 7:15-16:

He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted.

(The Bible here makes reference to the age at which one is able to tell evil apart from good and to refuse evil and choose the good. Before then, although one may commit sins (deviate from the appointed pathway), they are not held accountable).

Re: The people of Nineveh and those who haven’t heard the Gospel

Does the argument that infants are not held accountable for sins they commit because they do not know ‘how to reject the evil and choose the good’ justify the people of Nineveh whom God Himself said did not know “their left from their right hands”? (Jonah 4:11). And by extension, does this apply to those who have never heared the gospel?

The answer for that is found in Romans 1:19-20 where Paul argues that there is no excuse for all those who can discern God’s attributes in nature (namely His glory) and the written law of God on their hearts (Romans 2:14-15):

For what can be known about God is plain to them [that is, to mankind] because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. Therefore, they are without excuse. (Romans 1:19-20)

 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them. (Romans 2:14-15).

Infants are clearly not in the position to understand nor perceive God’s glory as revealed in nature, nor do they have the mental capacity to understand it—certainly not in the same way as an adult would. (Please see also John 9:41). In all this, we can trust that that the Judge of all the earth will always do that which is right (Gen. 18:25).

Conclusions and Application 

In summary, this article captures the belief that,

1. Infants, like all mankind, are directly affected by the sin of Adam and therefore suffer the consequences that were brought upon all of Adam’s posterity, namely death and a nature of sin.
2. Despite being born with a nature of sin, the Bible teaches that we are held accountable for our own actions, not that of Adam or any of our forbearers.
3. We can infer from Scripture that until a certain age, which we call the age of accountability, we are not held accountable for our sins, but absolved by the mercy and grace of God.
4. This applies to all those who die before they reach the age of accountability—and this applies to all infants regardless of race, colour or parental heritage.

For anyone who has lost a loved one in infancy, you can be comforted in the knowledge that they are with the Lord. By extension, this exposition challenges the worldview of a heaven that will be sparsely populated. On the contrary, heaven will be very colourful. The heavenly choir will be filled with the joyous refrain of infants of all race, colour, and tongue—all who died in infancy and by the grace and mercies of our Lord were saved and granted a place in his presence where there is joy forevermore! (Whether they will remain infants forever, or grow up in heaven? Only God knows!)

One parent who lost a seven-month old son remarked instructively,

My son’s death is a great motivation for me to live right for God. God and heaven are ultimately my greatest reasons for living as a Christian, but I am also convinced that my son died as an innocent infant and is with our Father. In that case, I want to be where he is too when the time is up.

This is a great example of  how we ought to apply this teaching to our lives as Christians.

What this teaching is not seeking to encourage is a neglect of bringing up our children in the fear of the Lord.

I have heard of parents who neglect to teach their children about God under the pretext that the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them anyway, so why bother? The irony is that every parent’s wish, like mine, is to see their children grow to outlive them and not to die as an infant—even though it is far better than living. Thus, it behooves us to bring up our children in the fear of the Lord. As noted earlier, only God knows the actual age of accountability for each of our children. A seven or nine-year-old may be able to come to grips with their sinfulness and their need of a saviour—it may be at an earlier or later age, it doesn’t matter—ours is to introduce them to the rescuing love of our Saviour and pray he opens their hearts unto salvation.

The Bible is clear on the fact that there is no remission of sins except by the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 9:22). If infants who pass to glory are to be saved, we can be sure that it will be based solely on the finished work of Christ on the cross. For you  dear reader, who has yet to place your faith in the Lord Jesus for salvation, the invitation is extended to you. Why don’t you put trust in Him now?

Notes :

1. The Confessions, Revised (The Works of Saint Augustine: A Translation for the 21st Century, Vol. 1) (Kindle Edition). New City Press.

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