Age of accountability?

There exists among many denominations today a way of salvation known as the "Age of Accountability". The "Age of Accountability" teaches that all who die, before having achieved the ability to know the difference between right and wrong, are eternally saved automatically, by God's grace and mercy. This encompasses infants, the lives killed in abortions, the mentally challenged, and the profoundly handicapped. These groups are determined to be exempted from the standard teaching that one must believe to obtain their eternal home in heaven.

Simply put anyone that is deemed unable to fully understand the results of his actions is covered under the "Age of Accountability" exemption. Theoretically, this group is not held accountable by God, because of their lack of ability to recognize sin. But God said, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God", and He sets forth no limitations or boundaries with this statement. The "Age of Accountability" presupposes that sin must first be recognized as sin, before it is actually accountable.

Now, let me backup for a moment and take a closer look at some of the statements made to define the "Age of Accountability". A way of salvation is set forth, by this teaching, that is contrary to the normal teachings found among the very denominations, which profess this exemption. Normally, they will profess that any person that fails to believe will spend eternity in hell. They will adamantly proclaim that this is not a "works based" salvation, and that believing is not a work of righteousness. But, if we examine these two opposing paths of salvation closely, we find that the way of salvation, for those grouped under the "Age of Accountability" blanket is true grace, unearned, undeserved, unmerited, unwarranted, and is without any regard for what the person does or does not do. Salvation by faith, on the other hand, requires the person to make a decision, to become a different person, to trust and believe in God, and to set himself apart from the rest of the world, living his life as a servant of righteousness.

Salvation is first by grace, freely given to those who God chose, without prejudice. Given to every one of His elect, bequeathed to them as an inheritance at regeneration, when they are adopted as children. This resolves any issue concerning those under the "Age of Accountability" blanket above, as well as those who where in distant lands, such as the yet undiscovered continents of the Americas, Australia, etc... not only during the time of Christ, but since the beginning of the world. Yes, this also encompasses the Gentiles of the Old Testament, when God dwelled only with the children of Israel. Though they were without God, and knew not God, they were eternally saved by grace (freely). For all these, Christ was the atonement for their sins, accomplishing what no man was able to do for himself because of sin. And now, having been washed by the water of regeneration, the regenerate person can obtain salvation by faith. Salvation by faith is the earnest of the inheritance, received at regeneration, and is regarded to be a reward for obedience. Yes, salvation by faith is indeed a works based salvation. However, it also is salvation by grace, because if you had not first obtained the inheritance by grace, you could not possess the earnest of it.