Are children punished for their fathers?

Response

1. Children often continue in the sins of their fathers
2. Consequence is not the same as responsibility

Children continuing the sin of the fathers

Oftentimes children continue in the sins of their fathers and then blame their fathers for doing so.  For instance, a thief may say that he is a thief because of his poor upbringing, but God does not accept these excuses.  Each man is responsible for his own sin, and God will punish a man for his sin even if he is continuing what his father started (continuing in the sin of his father).

Responsibility versus consequence

Just because someone suffers from the sin of someone else does not mean that he is responsible for it.  For instance, if someone breaks into your house and robs you, obviously, you are suffering for the sin of someone else.  You are suffering for the sin of the thief.  However, you are most certainly not held responsible for the sin of the thief, even though you have suffered loss.  No one blames you for having your house robbed: people blame the thief.

Likewise, oftentimes children suffer for the sins of their fathers.  They fail to get the support and encouragement they need; they fail to receive godly instruction and discipline; and they fail to experience the joy of a godly family the way God intended.  For this reason, children suffer for their fathers’ sins, but they are most certainly not held responsible for them, assuming they do not continue in these sins.

As a side note, this is one reason why Jesus Christ was so amazing.  He suffered loss twice for our sins; once, because we sinned against Him; and twice, because He actually took our punishment for our sins, too!  If you haven’t, accept Jesus Christ today and experience His forgiveness.