Matthew 18:5-7
(5) And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
(6) But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
(7) Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
Keep in mind, this not only refers to those who physically violate children/youth, this refers to any adult who puts moral, spiritual, attitudinal, behavioral stumbling blocks in front of children/youth (such as bad attitudes, unkind words, bigotry, negativity, complaining, worldly orientation, sexist mentality, spiritual laxness, self dependence, pride, carnal desire), rather than providing spiritual stepping stones that lead and help a child/youth into victory over sin and into conformity to the image of Christ.
Listen, children and young people were born with a sinful nature, which dominates their lives until they get saved, and after conversion they still have the internal struggle with the Old Man. But even if they go on to sanctification, they still live in an unregenerate world, where Satan is the prince of the power of the air, and he is the god of this world, which is a world in opposition to God, therefore the child or young person has a terrible war to wage in order to overcome temptation. If they falter and fail, they will suffer greatly in this present world and if they do not repent of their backsliding, they will be separated from God forever. Even with the best of spiritual help, the child/youth may chose to refuse the will and way of God.
Sooooo, ADULTS (and especially those who profess faith in Christ), if you do not turn from sin, die to sin and self, if you do not demonstrate the triumphant and praise filled life, you will be held accountable by God for contributing to the failure of a minor... eternally accountable.
Actually, we might categorize blasphemy against the Holy Spirit as a sin of COMMISSION. But there are other sins that cannot be forgiven. We might categorize some of them as sins of OMISSION, such as; not believing on Christ, not confessing our sins, not repenting of our sins, not obeying Christ. Those sins of omission are also sins of commission, since the choice is made to disobey God's command to believe, confess, repent and obey.
Ultimately, the refusal to submit to the call and command of the Holy Spirit is unforgivable. It was the sin of not repenting subsequent to salvation, that I mentioned. If a child finds Christ at an early age, but then follows examples, set by adults who allow sin in their own lives, and the child never turns back from their backsliding (which becomes apostasy), that child (who has become a youth or adult) will be lost forever. This is what is meant by causing that child to stumble. If the child is taught to repent of his sins (omission or commission) and the does turn back to Christ before he dies, he will be forgiven.
This is where the false doctrine of Once Saved, Always Saved (salvation by presumptions) ruins the lives of children and young people. They need to be taught that they are saved by grace THOUGH FAITH, living faith, active faith, working faith, faith that obeys God and follows Jesus.
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