Why do Innocent Children die?
Children die every day all over the world. In countries affected by extreme poverty in Africa and Asia, the death toll is particularly high. In some cases, children die before or shortly after birth. The suffering and death of young children is particularly moving to us humans. Accordingly, many ask, incomprehensible, why God allows this and what happens to these young people after their death.
Even though this sensitive topic is very emotional—especially for affected parents and relatives—it is important to address it. In this context, we must understand that suffering, illness, and death are part of this fallen world. As a result of humanity's turning away from its Creator, the earth has become a place of indescribable suffering. The death of children and infants is just one of many tragic consequences of this development, which we humans have brought upon ourselves by transgressing God's commandments....
On the other hand, we must understand that our life in this world is transient and that everyone must die sooner or later. In this relatively short earthly life, the only question that matters is whether we receive eternal life or not. This—and this alone—is what matters. The precondition for this is faith in Jesus.
However, there are people who are unable to willingly choose Jesus. These include infants, children of pre-adult age, and people with mental disabilities. Since God is just, we can assume that these people will not be excluded from eternal life. This means that they too—along with all believers—will be resurrected to imperishable life. In other words, an infant who dies at a young age has lost nothing. For true life lies ahead. Moreover, they are spared the suffering and hardship of this transient world. On the other hand, a person who enjoys a long and carefree existence on earth but misses the goal of his life has lived in vain....
Even people who live piously are not necessarily spared from suffering and pain. Yet their firm trust in God and his promises gives believers strength and courage, helping them endure painful experiences—such as the death of their own child—and, beyond that, withstand all adverse circumstances in this world. Through Jesus Christ, God gives us hope for an end to all tribulation and the prospect of a future in a world where no one will ever have to suffer or die again.