Become as Little Children #578

I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. (Romans 7:9, NKJV)

Babies are not born sinners; they are innocent before God. The Bible says “unless you are converted and become as little children you, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:3). Sinners are converted from sin and death into newness of life, not the other way around. Therefore, we correctly conclude that children are innocent and not sinners before God. This is what Paul describes in today’s verse. When Paul was a child he was “alive”, that is, he was not dead in sin. He did not have a corrupt nature. When he grew to an age of moral capacity he became responsible to keep God’s commands, one of which said, “You shall not covet” (Rom. 7:7-8). But, when tempted, he yielded and committed sin, producing his spiritual death. He needed to be saved from his sins. Like Paul and everyone else, we are sinners by choice, not by physical birth. We can choose to be “born again” and be doing so, become as a little child – humble and free of sin.