The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Panorama City, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed from the tape, GC 70-8, titled "Questions and Answers--Part 36."  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE. Copyright 2001 by John MacArthur Jr., All Rights Reserved.

Question

I’m not sure if you believe in the age of accountability or anything like that...

John Macarthur: Well, I sure believe you get to the point where you’re accountable, but I don’t think there’s any given age. Every person might have a different point in time.

Question (continued)

So, how do you describe to a young 4 or 5 year-old how they can make Christ Lord of their life?

Answer

Just simply that. I think if they’re anything a child understands, it’s the need to be obedient, right? I mean, you just wouldn’t say to a child, “Look, don’t worry about anything. Just believe.” A child can’t even grasp that. What does that mean? But if you say, “What Jesus wants to do is forgive your sin and lead you and calls you to obey and follow Him, and do what He says”--a child understands that. That’s simple. Just tell him, “You know, what you want to do is understand that Jesus loves you, that He died for you, that He rose again, and He wants to guide you and lead you, and He wants you to give your life to him in obedience”...I’ll promise you a 4 or 5 year-old will understand that.

And you always want to do that. I believe that children take steps towards God, and you want to encourage those steps. Only God knows when the transaction of justification takes place, and sanctification begins. Only God knows that, but just keep encouraging them in all those steps all along,

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur’s Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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