Age of Innocence

<p>AGE OF INNOCENCE  We were chosen by God to live our lives in a state of innocence before him. Ephesians 1:4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be set apart for him (holy) and blameless before him, In love.</p> <p>Our English word ‘innocence’ comes from the Latin word IN-NOCERE – not to harm, blameless, and also means not harmed or violated – a sort of spotlessness.  There is also the Biblical Greek word akeraios; of pure motivation – KJV blameless and harmless also 'unharmed,'. 'Intact,' 'innocent.</p> <p>Where do we find this innocence? In our natural lives it is our early childhood experience. And today I will discuss the spiritual reality of our innocence in the eyes of God.</p> <p>Let us look at those years of early childhood, up to about the age of seven. Here is where it is required that we receive unconditional attention and love from our parents, but we must keep in mind that there are no perfect parents.   This is the requirement because we have not yet learned to manage our way through this world of accountability for doing wrong, or developed any resolute commitment for doing what is right. This period of time is our age of innocence where we start to become obedient and cooperative and be spontaneous and even be annoying, but it is here where we do get heaps of mercy and forgiveness and at the same time become aware of consequences for breaking the rules, as there are rules and we accept these rules as being authentic because we trust our parents that they know how life works, and for the most part we are patiently nurtured through this formative time. This is the same in most cultures. And of course, so much depends upon the relational integrity and empathy of the parents. Some parents and especially some cultures are more aware of this requirement and even formalise it up to about age seven.IE the Japanese culture. I experienced this when I ministered in evangelical churches in Tokyo and the kids ran around and played right through the church