Can a Christian commit suicide?

[newleaf]

Can a Christian commit suicide, and still go to heaven?

 

[Premed4Christ]

I answer yes, but I must clarify this answer. Yes, because nothing can separate us from the love of the Father and from our salvation. Can a Christian commit murder? It's hard to imagine it happening, but it is possible. Will this suddenly undo their salvation? No. The issue with suicide is that you can't ask forgiveness after the fact. What many fail to realize in this argument is that we have already been forgiven. The Blood cleanses us of ALL unrighteousness. It is not limited to the things we had done prior to salvation. This is a huge theological issue and I could go on and on about it, but that's the basics. However, the question I raise for murder is the same question that I raise for suicide. If a Christian commits suicide or murder, it gives me serious doubts about their salvation to begin with. That being said, I can not judge the circumstances, and it is possible that things could so bad, even for a Christian, that in a moment of weakness it could happen.

 

[LightDancer]

I vote "yes".

 

[Athene]

Where's the 'I don't know' option, I don't know, and neither can anybody else - all we can do is speculate.

 

[oliveplants]

Just a gentle reminder, guys...

quoting from the sticky http://www.christianforums.com/t2936040-please-read-before-posting-.html

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[Amisk]

If you kill yourself then you are choosing to forfeit the life God gave you and are shirking the responsibilities of this life, God made you for a purpose and to wilfully separate yourself from your God-given purpose is such a great sin that you also willingly cut yourself off from God. You die outside of the bonds of friendship with God and you sadly go to hell

I agree with Rhamiel. However, there has to be a yes or no answer here as well. First of all as long as one is rational enough to know right from wrong and know what they are doing the answer is yes, the act of suicide then becomes a short trip to Hell. On the other hand if a person is distraught to the place that their mind is not functioning the answer is no. The fact is God knows when one moves from the state of having the mental capacity to know right from wrong.

For those whose mind is still functioning to the point that they know right from wrong, suicide is merely the act of murdering one's self. And murder is sin and hell damning for the person who has once committed their life to Christ just as it is for the man or woman who has never attempted to live for Christ at any point in their life.

John Calvin made a serious error in judgement when taught the once saved always saved theory. The idea that a person can go on wilfully living in sin while being a Christian doesn't fit with scripture and when one thinks it through doesn't make a lot of sense either. I don't wish to get into a major discourse on this issue but rather just point out that it is not grounds for justifying suicide.

"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin." John 8:31-34

 

[Nadiine]

Absolutely a Christian can commit suicide - just like every Christian still commit's sins... we're personally judging the degree of the sins - but we do commit them.

Christians do fall away and/or get into demonic oppression where they get extremely depressed & oppressed.
When in those states, I think they can resort to that.

I also don't believe they go to Hell for it; anymore than if they died without repenting of any other sin that they'de be sent to hell. The Christian has pardon for their sin; not becuz of what they do or don't do, but based on JESUS' FINISHED WORK ON THE CROSS.
I ask, which sins didn't Jesus die for when He was on the cross - when He knew every sin you'de commit in the future?

Did that sin of suicide escape Him & He missed it? Does He refuse to PARDON the sin of murder/suicide?
My bible says the ONLY unpardonable sin is blasphemy of the Spirit.

So my answer to both questions is YES. (simplified of course - and not to downplay the severety & seriousness of the issues).

 

[Scorcher505]

The only unforgiveable sin is blasphemy of the holy spirit, not suicide and blasphemy of the holy spirit.

 

[Schroeder]

how do you say one who does commit suicide is even a christian. this is to say the Spirit in them let them down. I say the SPirit would not let you be able to do such a thing, unless you gave the Gift back, and therefore are not saved no more. SO to me i said no BUT i dont think a Christian would be able to, so i dont think one is a christian in the first place if they did do it.

 

[Nadiine]

how do you say one who does commit suicide is even a christian. this is to say the Spirit in them let them down. I say the SPirit would not let you be able to do such a thing, unless you gave the Gift back, and therefore are not saved no more. SO to me i said no BUT i dont think a Christian would be able to, so i dont think one is a christian in the first place if they did do it.

That's always the issue in ANYONE's sin/death. ARE THEY TRULY SAVED. The OP is asking can a SAVED Christian commit this.
I say YES they can. - as in, yes, it's possible.

Here's how I break it down:
It IS sin; it's self-murder.

* Can a Christian sin? YES.
* Does SIN make the Christian unsaved? NO (we don't LOSE our salvation after each infraction).
* Are Christians pardoned for their sin? YES.
* Are there any sins God doesn't pardon? YES.
* Which sins? Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.
* Did Jesus pay for all sins at the cross? YES

As I see it, where people have the conflict is if you die before you repent of the sin - but Christ's blood either COVERS YOU & makes you righteous, OR IT DOESN'T.

Our righteousness is thru HIS act of sacrifice; not ourselves. That's why we received His salvation.
I think when you break it down biblically, one aspect at a time, it bears out.

But demonic oppression can literally bring you to that brink.

 

[Scorcher505]

I feel very strongly on this issue because one of my christian, catholic, friends committed suicide. She was a devout catholic and came to our Vespers service every week, rain or shine, sickness or health, and participated in our weekly Bible study every week. Anyone who knew her knew she loved the lord, and she was even given a proper Catholic funeral and burial. I believe beyond any doubt I will see her in Heaven

 

[minimoose]

i absolutely believe you will still go to heaven even if you have commited suicide. there are different reasons why people commit suicide, physical and spiritual. although every christian certainly does have the holy spirit in them, it does not make them perfect. it does not make them free from the influences of evil spirits and it does not make them free from sin.

christianity is radically different than any other religion for many reasons, 1 of them being that you do NOT work for your salvation. your salvation has already been bought and paid for. you do not lose your salvation every time you sin. to say that you MUST repent EVERY sin to go to heaven is suggesting that it is up to you to save yourself, which is not what the holy bible teaches. not to mention it is impossible for us to repent every single sin. we sin sometimes without even knowing we have sinned.

and to respond to rhamiel: EVERY sin you commit is irresponsible and outside the lines of god's will for your life. since when has that meant that you are unsaved?

 

[Amisk]

.... I ask, which sins didn't Jesus die for when He was on the cross - when He knew every sin you'de commit in the future?

Did that sin of suicide escape Him & He missed it? Does He refuse to PARDON the sin of murder/suicide?
My bible says the ONLY unpardonable sin is blasphemy of the Spirit.

In answer to your question, "which sins didn't Jesus die for when He was on the cross."

Jesus died for the sinner not the sin. He died for those sins which are not committed wilfully and left unconfessed when we know that we have sinned. Blasphemy of the Spirit is simply rejection of the the known will of God and rebellion and refusing to confess the sin in our lives. At this point there is no difference between the world and a Christian who knowly continues to live in sin. Christians must keep short accounts with God and be ready to confess sin when the Holy Spirit points it out to us. So again I would suggest that any Christian who wilfully commits suicide could go to Hell.

 

[Premed4Christ]

In answer to your question, "which sins didn't Jesus die for when He was on the cross."

Jesus died for the sinner not the sin. He died for those which sins which are not committed wilfully and left unconfessed when we know that we have sinned. Blasphemy of the Spirit is simply rejection of the the known will of God and rebellion and refusing to confess the sin in our lives. At this point there is no difference between the world and a Christian who knowly continues to live in sin. Christians must keep short accounts with God and be ready to confess sin when the Holy Spirit points it out to us. So again I would suggest that any Christian who wilfully commits suicide could go to Hell.

So Christians can LOSE their salvation? Because if that's what you are saying, then I have a not-so-quick lesson in Eternal Security for you, but that's for another thread, I think.

 

[Premed4Christ]

That's always the issue in ANYONE's sin/death. ARE THEY TRULY SAVED. The OP is asking can a SAVED Christian commit this.
I say YES they can. - as in, yes, it's possible.

Here's how I break it down:
It IS sin; it's self-murder.

* Can a Christian sin? YES.
* Does SIN make the Christian unsaved? NO (we don't LOSE our salvation after each infraction).
* Are Christians pardoned for their sin? YES.
* Are there any sins God doesn't pardon? YES.
* Which sins? Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.
* Did Jesus pay for all sins at the cross? YES

As I see it, where people have the conflict is if you die before you repent of the sin - but Christ's blood either COVERS YOU & makes you righteous, OR IT DOESN'T.

Our righteousness is thru HIS act of sacrifice; not ourselves. That's why we received His salvation.
I think when you break it down biblically, one aspect at a time, it bears out.

But demonic oppression can literally bring you to that brink.

You and I think a lot a like, I think (err... did I just use 'think' twice like that?)

 

[Netbug009]

I honestly don't know, but I woulnd't test it and find out. God put as all here for a reason, and killing ourselves ruins it.

 

[Premed4Christ]

To clarify my position a bit, and I think this would also go for several of those who have voted yes already, but I can't speak for them, the under-lying issue here is the nature of sin itself. The idea that suicide can cause us to loose our salvation stems from the idea that some sins are worse than others, which flat out isn't the case. Sin is sin (with one obvious exception, and it's not suicide), period! Sin is a state of being outside of God's glory. A sin as an act is anything that falls short of God's perfect will. Suicide, lying, or getting up late in the morning and missing part of your quiet time, would all be considered 'sins.' And God does not judge any singe act of sin worse than any other act of sin.

 

[Nadiine]

To clarify my position a bit, and I think this would also go for several of those who have voted yes already, but I can't speak for them, the under-lying issue here is the nature of sin itself. The idea that suicide can cause us to loose our salvation stems from the idea that some sins are worse than others, which flat out isn't the case. Sin is sin (with one obvious exception, and it's not suicide), period! Sin is a state of being outside of God's glory. A sin as an act is anything that falls short of God's perfect will. Suicide, lying, or getting up late in the morning and missing part of your quiet time, would all be considered 'sins.' And God does not judge any singe act of sin worse than any other act of sin.

Hi
I DO agree that all sin is sin. ONE sin separates us from God. This is why we need Jesus Christ's sacrifice over us.
The reason I partly disagree is, I think God does judge sin differently & on levels of severity. (unless you meant that in your post)?
We saw this in the OT. Not all violations of the law were equal in judgment - some were given death penalties, & others weren't.

And, we even see this in our civil justice system:
Example: if a woman is starving and steals food to survive, that's SIN. Theft is theft.
Now take a pedophile, and look at his crime against an innocent child by kidnapping her & molesting her then murdering her.
Would it be right to punish the woman who stole to eat with equal penalty of life in prison as the pedophile/murderer?
I don't think any of us would.

I think you're on the right track tho, with how we elevate & lessen sins according to our personal preferences.
We easily ignore gluttony & gossip, then slam the pot smokers which probly isn't right to categorize them like we do.

But God is just, He will fairly reward and punish to the level of our actions & motives.
While I agree all sin IS sin - and any of them outside salvation will keep you separated, the penalties will be different for levels of severity (for the lost) - while Christians can lose reward.

Mt. 11:22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.​

 

[Amisk]

Can a Christian commit suicide, and still go to heaven?

May I ask, is newleaf thinking of suicide? It is a sincere question. Is this poll making your decision for you?

 

[DArceri]

ASSURANCE OF VICTORY

1 CORINTHIANS 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.


PHILIPPIANS 4:13
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.