Can someone be born with a sin that cannot be forgiven?
Question:
Hello,
First, I would like to thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. I do appreciate your knowledge. I have an interesting question about the topic of "saveability" (not an actual word).
Does God allow for someone to be born with sin that they cannot be forgiven of? I know the answer is no. However, my question is whether or not this is mentioned in Scripture. I pose this question with regard to one being born a homosexual and stating, “I cannot be changed. I was born this way”. Further, what about a child dying prior to being able to obey the gospel? Or a person with a mental impairment, such as someone with Down syndrome, who lacks the capacity to understand what is asked of one to become a Christian, being baptized for the remission of one’s sins. I've often heard the saying, "they have a one-way ticket," when referring to a child dying or when an adult dies who is severely retarded or has various mental deficits. I understand that they cannot overcome such deficits in order to become a Christian through no fault of their own. Am I correct in this thought? Is this scripture referencing my thought, which is written in Matthew 19:14? The verse reads, "But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for such is the kingdom of heaven". Or am I incorrect that God does not allow one to be born with sin that is unforgivable? The only sin that I can find that is not forgivable is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, which is the rejection of God's grace and is considered eternal sin. We see this found in Matthew 12:31-32. This is not believing that one's sins cannot be forgiven.
Can you advise? I would greatly appreciate your time.
Answer:
Your questions start with a flawed foundation, which is leading to several incorrect conclusions.
People are not born with sin. See "Are Babies Born Sinners?"
Sin is defined in I John 3:4, "Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness." Sin is the breaking of God's law. Being born is not against God's law. In addition, babies cannot break God's laws. Nor is sin inheritable. "The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father's iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son's iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself" (Ezekiel 18:20). Even a child is not held accountable until he or she is old enough to understand his or her responsibility. "Moreover, your little ones who you said would become a prey, and your sons, who this day have no knowledge of good or evil, shall enter there, and I will give it to them and they shall possess it" (Deuteronomy 1:39). See "The Age of Accountability." This should then also answer your question about the mentally disabled. If someone is not able to hear God's law or cannot comprehend it enough to take personal responsibility for his actions, then he is like a child, regardless of his physical age.
The claim that those practicing homosexuality do so because they were born that way is a persistent but false belief. See "Can a person be born gay?"
There is no sin that cannot be forgiven. There are some who refuse to give up their sin and so cannot receive forgiveness, but the fault is on the sinner. God is not refusing to forgive anyone (II Peter 3:9). See "Are You Unforgivable?" This article should also clarify that you have an incorrect definition for the word "blasphemy."
