Robin Williams

[thesunisout]

I grew up in the 80s, saw many of Robin Williams movies and enjoyed some of his comedy. I guess it would be accurate to say he was near and dear to me as celebrities go, growing up. I wasn't saved then, and since I've gotten saved I stopped looking at secular movies and secular comedy. That means I stopped watching Robin Williams for the past 4 years, and having learned of his death I find I feel strangely detached from it. My girlfriend who recently became a Christian was very moved by what happened, and if she wasn't around I probably wouldn't have thought too much about it. This is what I've been thinking about..

While the world has been praising Robin Williams for his comic genius, I have lamented that he didn't use those talents which God gave Robin to bring Him glory. I don't find that I can really celebrate what is upon reflection a wasted life. He made the world laugh, but this is what Jesus said:

Luke 6:25 Woe to you who are full! For you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now! For you shall mourn and weep.

So I am conflicted. I feel terrible for his family but I don't find I can mourn for a man who rejected Gods purpose for his life and whose greatest accomplishment was to make the world laugh on its way to hell. Those are harsh words but they seem true biblically. I know he had issues and he was probably a pretty nice guy for the most part, I'm not talking about his character; I'm sure he had many good qualities. I'm talking about the reason God put him here which he apparently rejected, and that makes it hard for me to mourn his death in the sense the world does. Do you think I am way off on this and why or why not?

 

[FanthatSpark]

Blessings TSIO,

That is profound for me, what you authored in OP because it hits on our age group and where we were at in the walk and what we invested in in our youth and growth in knowledge of the Word of today. Yet, where's the love of the sinner, right? Why no anguish of the waste in my attempts at perfecting love and for me, why do I feel condemned for no feelings of the lost soul and or persona of the man himself? Is it in my limitations because self is primary then another related to self and investment in the other to mayhap place that individual before self and lay even life to save the other? I get ya brother for I am emotionally dead except for the shock value of hearing the news but grew up with him too. It shows me I am a babe in walking through sin to perfected love no matter the knowledge of the Word. None are righteous no not one.

Thus, I pray, and hope you as a fellow brother in the walk finds the answer in His wisdom & season for this vessel is lost of, "love another as yourself" in certain aspects of continuous holding on to a sin of some sort known and unknown that hampers me in perfected love. Thanks to God foremost in using you as the vessel in OP to boldly shine a light on my lacking , yet, edifying in identifying the lack in myself and the opportunity to reply to the OP, in part, to self reflection (as in OP reflects on you brother) where one can stop in this format and pray for us. Write a little more...stop... pray... Thus, one has invested in time, energy and Gods help. Most important of the three is Gods help...

 

[tobethebest]

I grew up in the 80s, saw many of Robin Williams movies and enjoyed some of his comedy. I guess it would be accurate to say he was near and dear to me as celebrities go, growing up. I wasn't saved then, and since I've gotten saved I stopped looking at secular movies and secular comedy. That means I stopped watching Robin Williams for the past 4 years, and having learned of his death I find I feel strangely detached from it. My girlfriend who recently became a Christian was very moved by what happened, and if she wasn't around I probably wouldn't have thought too much about it. This is what I've been thinking about..

While the world has been praising Robin Williams for his comic genius, I have lamented that he didn't use those talents which God gave Robin to bring Him glory. I don't find that I can really celebrate what is upon reflection a wasted life. He made the world laugh, but this is what Jesus said:

Luke 6:25 Woe to you who are full! For you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now! For you shall mourn and weep.

So I am conflicted. I feel terrible for his family but I don't find I can mourn for a man who rejected Gods purpose for his life and whose greatest accomplishment was to make the world laugh on its way to hell. Those are harsh words but they seem true biblically. I know he had issues and he was probably a pretty nice guy for the most part, I'm not talking about his character; I'm sure he had many good qualities. I'm talking about the reason God put him here which he apparently rejected, and that makes it hard for me to mourn his death in the sense the world does. Do you think I am way off on this and why or why not?

______________________________________________________________

It is so easy to condemn, and it is especially easy to see within this thread. I found Robin Williams to be gifted, truly a man of wit and a sense of humor unlike just about everybody. I have very fond memories of him and the joy he brought this Viet Nam Era veteran, as well as his quick responses, will live on forever.

Robin was deeply depressed and deep depression isn't something easily dealt with. Not everyone is healed miraculously and many aren't ever healed at all. There are many diseases or disorders for that matter which can swallow a person up and cause them great afflictions.

Many Christians are in the same spot in their lives. I don't see faith healers walking in hospitals and laying hands on the sick and they recover. I don't see close friends of mine who pray continuously, trusting in the Lord, yet not receiving answers. Why? Who among us, has those answers? Please don't tell me about some formula or method you read that suggests that if you follow these simple guidelines you will receive healing.

By reading this thread I know you are very naive and have not been tested like those before you. There are no methods or formulas for finding God. It is by the cross that we are all among the family of God. Grace and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Until then, there are no guidelines, other than to love your neighbor as yourself. Robin did just that.

 

[FanthatSpark]

By reading this thread I know you are very naive and have not been tested like those before you.

Thank you for the slap across the face, may I offer you the other cheek brother?

 

[kidwboro]

The path of Robin Williams is everyone's path by default. But God began a work in us to steer us away from worldliness. He chose us because He chooses the things that are foolish, base, poor, wretched, blind, naked; to confound the mighty things of the world.
I was on the same path as Robin Williams. I was aiming for the world, just like everyone else. But God quickened my mortal spirit and begotten me unto a lively hope. I didn't choose Him, but he chose me. There was nothing I did to earn his grace.

 

[Gunny]

Anytime, if I happen to be watching the news and hear an individual (whether unknown or rich and famous) has died the first thing that the Holy Spirit places in my mind: I hope the individual knew Jesus as Lord and Savior (receiving the gift of salvation).

When someone rich and famous dies the Holy Spirit reminds me that many, many individuals have received their reward in this life on earth. Honestly, the Holy Spirit within me grieves over any individual that dies when the status of their eternal destiny may be in question (according to God and His Holy Word-not mere man).

 

[Gunny]

______________________________________________________________

There are no methods or formulas for finding God.

Amen and amen. In my humble opinion no finds God-God finds us. The work of the Holy Spirit works on those that the Father is drawing to His Son.

 

[dabro]

Anytime, if I happen to be watching the news and hear an individual (whether unknown or rich and famous) has died the first thing that the Holy Spirit places in my mind: I hope the individual knew Jesus as Lord and Savior (receiving the gift of salvation).

When someone rich and famous dies the Holy Spirit reminds me that many, many individuals have received their reward in this life on earth. Honestly, the Holy Spirit within me grieves over any individual that dies when the status of their eternal destiny may be in question (according to God and His Holy Word-not mere man).

Same thing goes thru out my spirit whether rich or poor. Did they truly know the Lord and also my spirit says in me I tried and I tried.

 

[David Waffen]

I grew up in the 80s, saw many of Robin Williams movies and enjoyed some of his comedy. I guess it would be accurate to say he was near and dear to me as celebrities go, growing up. I wasn't saved then, and since I've gotten saved I stopped looking at secular movies and secular comedy. That means I stopped watching Robin Williams for the past 4 years, and having learned of his death I find I feel strangely detached from it. My girlfriend who recently became a Christian was very moved by what happened, and if she wasn't around I probably wouldn't have thought too much about it. This is what I've been thinking about..

While the world has been praising Robin Williams for his comic genius, I have lamented that he didn't use those talents which God gave Robin to bring Him glory. I don't find that I can really celebrate what is upon reflection a wasted life. He made the world laugh, but this is what Jesus said:

Luke 6:25 Woe to you who are full! For you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now! For you shall mourn and weep.

So I am conflicted. I feel terrible for his family but I don't find I can mourn for a man who rejected Gods purpose for his life and whose greatest accomplishment was to make the world laugh on its way to hell. Those are harsh words but they seem true biblically. I know he had issues and he was probably a pretty nice guy for the most part, I'm not talking about his character; I'm sure he had many good qualities. I'm talking about the reason God put him here which he apparently rejected, and that makes it hard for me to mourn his death in the sense the world does. Do you think I am way off on this and why or why not?

Robin Williams suffered from terrible depression. Laughter was his escape and medicine. Why do some people think that unless you go around annoying people about being saved, your life was worthless?

 

[dabro]

Robin Williams suffered from terrible depression. Laughter was his escape and medicine. Why do some people think that unless you go around annoying people about being saved, your life was worthless?

TRUTH! I grieved but, Jesus said let the dead bury their own dead....I have heard of pastor commit suicide and other christians but don't you think that if Robin Williams had a firm grip on faith that the Lord is strong enough to be an anchor to keep him pressing on.....I have MDD major depression disorder and it is a struggle but, the Lord is my comfort in my anguish.

 

[dabro]

I mean I feel bad for his daughter.....He didn't realize that he was taking his life into his own hands thus altering and effecting the very fabric of free will for everyone.......He wasn't supposed to die of suicide. Rather if he would of opened up his heart the Lord would of gladly received him....His family should be mourned for.

 

[dragongunner]

Robin was like all of us....we all have some problems, some have to deal with depression like Robin did. Some have to deal with drug addictions like Robin did...the list goes on. We all get to decide if we will give our life to Christ, some of us do, others don't. God delighteth not in the death of a sinner. It is always sad when the unsaved leave this earth. What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world but lose his own soul?

 

[freezerman2000]

Bringing joy and laughter into other's lives is a special ministry.
Robin used his God given talent to help others to forget about their problems for awhile..and I wager,helped some to see a light at the end of their dark tunnel..putting a spark of hope into an otherwise bleak existence.
Glorifying God is not always needed to bring light into an otherwise seemingly hopeless situation.
I wonder how many believers he helped without bringing God into the equation?

 

[RileyG]

He dealt with depression, alcoholism/addiction. Ultimately, I don't know what his relationship with God was/is. He has passed through the judgment and I have no clue what God told him. I don't know what he thought his last second of his life. Just my humble opinion.

 

[Ladybythelake]

Unless you have been in that darkness, you don't have a clue how dark it is. To not see a pinprick of light. Like a woolen blanket saturated with cold water wrapped around your soul. There is no word for it.

 

[thesunisout]

Blessings TSIO,

That is profound for me, what you authored in OP because it hits on our age group and where we were at in the walk and what we invested in in our youth and growth in knowledge of the Word of today. Yet, where's the love of the sinner, right? Why no anguish of the waste in my attempts at perfecting love and for me, why do I feel condemned for no feelings of the lost soul and or persona of the man himself? Is it in my limitations because self is primary then another related to self and investment in the other to mayhap place that individual before self and lay even life to save the other? I get ya brother for I am emotionally dead except for the shock value of hearing the news but grew up with him too. It shows me I am a babe in walking through sin to perfected love no matter the knowledge of the Word. None are righteous no not one.

Thus, I pray, and hope you as a fellow brother in the walk finds the answer in His wisdom & season for this vessel is lost of, "love another as yourself" in certain aspects of continuous holding on to a sin of some sort known and unknown that hampers me in perfected love. Thanks to God foremost in using you as the vessel in OP to boldly shine a light on my lacking , yet, edifying in identifying the lack in myself and the opportunity to reply to the OP, in part, to self reflection (as in OP reflects on you brother) where one can stop in this format and pray for us. Write a little more...stop... pray... Thus, one has invested in time, energy and Gods help. Most important of the three is Gods help...

Amen, we need Gods help. I've given up trying to understand how I got this way..what I know is that I need the Holy Spirit to change my heart so I can bear fruit for the Kingdom of God. I need His love, not mine, to fulfill what He has called me to do. I know I can depend on His strength when I am weak, in whatever area it may be. God bless brother, thank you for your testimony and encouragement.

 

[thesunisout]

______________________________________________________________

It is so easy to condemn, and it is especially easy to see within this thread. I found Robin Williams to be gifted, truly a man of wit and a sense of humor unlike just about everybody. I have very fond memories of him and the joy he brought this Viet Nam Era veteran, as well as his quick responses, will live on forever.

Robin was deeply depressed and deep depression isn't something easily dealt with. Not everyone is healed miraculously and many aren't ever healed at all. There are many diseases or disorders for that matter which can swallow a person up and cause them great afflictions.

Many Christians are in the same spot in their lives. I don't see faith healers walking in hospitals and laying hands on the sick and they recover. I don't see close friends of mine who pray continuously, trusting in the Lord, yet not receiving answers. Why? Who among us, has those answers? Please don't tell me about some formula or method you read that suggests that if you follow these simple guidelines you will receive healing.

By reading this thread I know you are very naive and have not been tested like those before you. There are no methods or formulas for finding God. It is by the cross that we are all among the family of God. Grace and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Until then, there are no guidelines, other than to love your neighbor as yourself. Robin did just that.

The guideline is, confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that He was raised from the dead and you will be saved. Loving your neighbor will not bring you into the Kingdom of God; you must be born again.

 

[thesunisout]

Robin Williams suffered from terrible depression. Laughter was his escape and medicine. Why do some people think that unless you go around annoying people about being saved, your life was worthless?

Robin had the worlds ear and he didn't use his position to bring glory to God and advance His Kingdom. This is most likely, from what we can tell, that he never knew the Lord in the first place. In any case, I consider this to be the real tragedy of his life beyond missing eternal life with God; the wasted potential.

 

[thesunisout]

Bringing joy and laughter into other's lives is a special ministry.
Robin used his God given talent to help others to forget about their problems for awhile..and I wager,helped some to see a light at the end of their dark tunnel..putting a spark of hope into an otherwise bleak existence.
Glorifying God is not always needed to bring light into an otherwise seemingly hopeless situation.
I wonder how many believers he helped without bringing God into the equation?

If he ended up in hell, what was it really worth? God can use the wreckage of our lives to help someone, but surely that isn't what He wanted for Robin.

 

[thesunisout]

Unless you have been in that darkness, you don't have a clue how dark it is. To not see a pinprick of light. Like a woolen blanket saturated with cold water wrapped around your soul. There is no word for it.

I don't diminish the severity of depression, but a million times more I exalt our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that He was faithful to give Robin revelation of Himself in a way Robin could have and should have responded to. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never overcome it. That is what scripture says and I believe it with all of my heart.