What’s The Destiny Of The Handicapped?

Q. I was raised Mormon, but attend a Christian Church now. I was taught that “retarded” people, were special children of God, and therefore, since they have not “sinned” because of their mental capacity, unable to chose right from wrong, will not be judged as we will in the next life. Rather, they will sit “at the right hand of God.” I hope this is true, for it seems right. What is your take on this?

A. Everything you said about the mentally handicapped is consistent with Scripture except the part about sitting at the right hand of God. That’s where Jesus is seated today.  No one knows who will be seated there when he assumes his own throne.  As for the Church, of which these special children are part, we’ll be seated with the Lord Jesus on His throne, (Ephes 2:6) not at God’s right hand on His.

Concerning our being judged in the next life, it’s our works here on Earth that will be judged, not us. (1 Cor. 3:10-15) Jesus was judged on our behalf and paid our penalty in full.  We’ve been pardoned and are no longer destined for judgment. (Col. 2:13-14)