Serious Question - may a suicide enter into heaven?

[Paul McGraw]

May a suicide, who is otherwise a firm Christian, enter into heaven? This is a question that is causing my extended family much anguish and worry.

The suicide was an older man with terminal cancer. He was in constant pain and a burden both in care and money upon his family. He left a letter telling his family how much he loved them all and stating he did not want to continue to be a burden to them when there was no hope for him to recover. He also stated in his letter than he was praying that God would forgive him and allow him to enter into heaven.

Some of our family is Catholic, and they are particularly upset saying that a suicide can never enter heaven. His daughter is very hurt and I fear this incident is causing her to doubt her faith in God.

I am a fundamentalist or conservative myself, and I see nothing in the Bible that tells me that a suicide cannot be forgiven. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God. I think God's mercy and grace covers all of our sins. Please share your thoughts.

 

[Gideons300]

I am not sure where this belief came from scripturally, but I do not believe it for a minute. Despite the fact that there is no scriptures to back up a belief that all who commit suicide go to hell, from a sheer compassion side, the God we serve knows our hearts and when we hurt, He hurts.

There are times when suicide is a selfish act. It is the ultimate running away from ones problems, many self generated. However, in cases such as the one you note, when life is more than one can bear due to pain or some other issue not caused by our own actions, if my heart hurts for such a one, how much more our God's?

Debilitating pain is a spirit breaker and often, those who take the approach that they murdered themselves and thus cannot go to Heaven, have never had to endure such pain. Every day for the afflicted ones is a battle, with no hope that it will ever change. I cannot even fathom how hard that must be.

I pray that the God of all comfort do just that with the relatives of this man and assure them he will be waiting to meet them with a smile on his face, pain free and full of life and light.

Blessings,

Gideon

 

[com7fy8]

If it was ok to do it, why would it need to be forgiven?

 

[Ricky M]

I don't believe in modern medicine's ability to keep us beyond our expiration date. When in this situation i don't think ceasing maintenance meds is suicide. Taking something specifically to end it may be a questionable call, but in a lot of ways i think dr Kavorkian was right. As for salvation, there's only one way in and one way out... believe in your heart and confess Christ, or conversely deny Him. Suicide had nothing to do with either one.

 

[Paul McGraw]

Thanks for all of the answers so far. I suppose this is an issue that is beyond a simple answer. But I do feel confident in telling the grieving young woman to ignore those who say the suicide will automatically be denied heaven. In this case, he shot himself. But I see no difference in hastening the end by not taking meds or in shooting oneself and making it quick.

 

[Anthony2019]

My condolences go out to the family in this unfortunate tragedy and my thoughts go out to the person who took his own life.

I believe in the unwavering, unfailing, steadfast love of God. The One who, despite our many weaknesses, has a love for us which always protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres. The One who shares our sorrows, heals our wounds, comforts the brokenhearted, and upon whom we can cast all our burdens because He cares for us.

May the Lord welcome him into His loving arms and into His eternal care.

 

[FreeGrace2]

Thanks for all of the answers so far. I suppose this is an issue that is beyond a simple answer. But I do feel confident in telling the grieving young woman to ignore those who say the suicide will automatically be denied heaven. In this case, he shot himself. But I see no difference in hastening the end by not taking meds or in shooting oneself and making it quick.

Hi Paul. I think the answer is simple. The Bible tells us who won't be condemned.

John 3:18 - Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

2 Thess 2:12 - and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

This is why Jesus said in John 10:28 that recipients of eternal life shall never perish.

Please share with your family these verses. They will be comforted if they believe these verses.

 

[His student]

I am a fundamentalist or conservative myself, and I see nothing in the Bible that tells me that a suicide cannot be forgiven. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God. I think God's mercy and grace covers all of our sins.

You are right in saying that there is nothing the Bible that tells us that a suicide cannot be forgiven.

While it certainly is sad state of affairs and something to be avoided and taught against - it is not and never has been the unforgivable sin that some make it out to be.

Teaching that it is, IMO, displays a lack of understanding of the basis of our salvation on the part of the one teaching it..

 

[ripple the car]

It's a pretty serious and terrible thing to do, to one's self, and others. It has happened in my family. I hope that, perhaps, at the last instant, my family member experienced true contrition, and was open to God's mercy, but there is the very real possibility that this did not happen.

 

[Blade]

Our body gets sick.. so why can't the mind? It does... its ok

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Unfortunately things are not the way we prefer them to be. While you have my sympathies for your loss, the Bible teaches that those who commit suicide will not be saved.

Suicide is just another form of murder. It is self murder or the taking of your own life vs. the taking of a life of another for your own selfish reasons. 1 John 3:15 says no murderer has eternal life abiding in them. 1 Corinthians 3:17 says, "If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." So if we are defiling the temple of God and we can be destroyed by God, how much more would God disapprove of us destroying our temple? Also, whenever suicide happened in the Bible, it was always to bad people who had forsaken God (like King Saul, and Judas, etc.). Nowhere do we read of any positive examples of a person committing suicide and God accepted them into His Kingdom.

 

[FreeGrace2]

Unfortunately things are not the way we prefer them to be. While you have my sympathies for your loss, the Bible teaches that those who commit suicide will not be saved.

It is not proper to throw a drive-by opinion without any evidence from Scripture. Where is your evidence that suicide results in loss of salvation?

Suicide is just another form of murder. It is self murder or the taking of your own life vs. the life of another for your own selfish reasons.

This doesn't prove anything. Jesus died for all sins.

1 John 3:15 says no murderer has eternal life abiding in them.

If John had left out the word "abiding", you'd have a point. But the word means that a believer who commits murder isn't living in the sphere of the eternal life that is in them.

1 Corinthians 3:17 says, "If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are."

The word "destroy" here obviously refers to physical death, since the soul will never be destroyed. Unbelievers will exist in conscious torment for eternity. That is not destruction.

So if we are defiling the temple of God and we can be destroyed by God, how much more would God disapprove of us destroying our temple?

Of course He disapproves. But you have NO verses about losing salvation. For any reason. Not just suicide.

Also, whenever suicide happened in the Bible, it was always to bad people who had forsaken God (like King Saul, and Judas, etc.).

So? What's your point?

 

[Bible Highlighter]

It is not proper to throw a drive-by opinion without any evidence from Scripture. Where is your evidence that suicide results in loss of salvation?


This doesn't prove anything. Jesus died for all sins.


If John had left out the word "abiding", you'd have a point. But the word means that a believer who commits murder isn't living in the sphere of the eternal life that is in them.


The word "destroy" here obviously refers to physical death, since the soul will never be destroyed. Unbelievers will exist in conscious torment for eternity. That is not destruction.


Of course He disapproves. But you have NO verses about losing salvation. For any reason. Not just suicide.


So? What's your point?

The verses I provided need no defending. They stand all on their own. Your disagreement with them does not undo what they say. There is no need for me to debate with you.

Please let this person grieve and move on.

Blessings to you in the Lord.

 

[FreeGrace2]

The verses I provided need no defending. The stand all on their own. Your disagreement with them does not undo what they say. There is no need for me to debate with you.

There is no debate. What Jesus said in John 10:28 stands on its own.

Those given eternal life (all who have believed in Christ for salvation) shall never perish.

Please let this person grieve and move on.

That's exactly what I've done. Let them know that nothing can result in loss of salvation.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

There is no debate. What Jesus said in John 10:28 stands on its own.

No doesn't it. John 10:27 says that a believer has to follow Jesus in order to be the kind of sheep that cannot be snatched out of his hand.

Romans 11:21-22 says we have to continue in his goodness, otherwise we can be cut off (Just like the Jews were cut off - nationally speaking). Granted, Israel will one day repent as a nation in the End Times, but for thousands of years they have rejected their Messiah as a nation.

 

[FreeGrace2]

No doesn't it. John 10:27 says that a believer has to follow Jesus in order to be the kind of sheep that cannot be snatched out of his hand.

Sheesh! Where did you find the words "has to" anywhere in either verse?

v.27 is a simple description of what Jesus' sheep DO. Or it is a policy statement about what His sheep OUGHT TO DO. No conditions listed.

Please quit making stuff up.

Romans 11:21-22 says we have to continue in his goodness, otherwise we can be cut off (Just like the Jews were cut off - nationally speaking).

Are you familiar with the use of metaphors? The first thing you need to be aware of is that they can mean any number of things.

That said, the phrase "cut off" is used many times in the OT for physical death. Even in the prophesy of Christ's death.

English Standard Version
And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed.

New International Version
After the sixty-two 'sevens,' the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed.

Berean Study Bible
Then after the sixty-two weeks, the Messiah will be cut off and will have nothing. Then the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood, and until the end there will be war; desolations have been decreed.

New American Standard Bible
"Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined.

King James Bible
And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

So, going back to your "proof-text", it refers to God's divine discipline of physical death for those believers who don't "continue in His goodness".

Obviously.

How can any believer lose salvation WHEN Jesus said recipients of eternal life shall never perish?

You need to figure this out.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Sheesh! Where did you find the words "has to" anywhere in either verse?

v.27 is a simple description of what Jesus' sheep DO. Or it is a policy statement about what His sheep OUGHT TO DO. No conditions listed.

Please quit making stuff up.


Are you familiar with the use of metaphors? The first thing you need to be aware of is that they can mean any number of things.

That said, the phrase "cut off" is used many times in the OT for physical death. Even in the prophesy of Christ's death.

English Standard Version
And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed.

New International Version
After the sixty-two 'sevens,' the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed.

Berean Study Bible
Then after the sixty-two weeks, the Messiah will be cut off and will have nothing. Then the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood, and until the end there will be war; desolations have been decreed.

New American Standard Bible
"Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined.

King James Bible
And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

So, going back to your "proof-text", it refers to God's divine discipline of physical death for those believers who don't "continue in His goodness".

Obviously.

How can any believer lose salvation WHEN Jesus said recipients of eternal life shall never perish?

You need to figure this out.

You are not reading the same Bible I am reading. People can read these passages plainly for themselves and come to the same conclusion I have very easily. Again, the verses I presented need no defending. Your attempt to see something different in these verses does not change what they plainly say. Not looking to debate you. We have already went down that road before (While I had a different username).

 

[FreeGrace2]

You are not reading the same Bible I am reading.

That's for sure. I know that! I asked where the words "has to" occur, but you ignored my question. So, why did you ADD those words, that don't occur in the Bible?

People can read these passages plainly for themselves and come to the same conclusion I have very easily.

Sure. Anyone can read as sloppily as you have. That doesn't prove anything.

I asked for WHERE your added words occur in the text, and you cannot answer me.

Again, the verses I presented need no defending.

Of course not. And I'm not attacking any verse. What I AM challenging is YOUR OWN ADDED words to the text, which you cannot defend.

Your attempt to see something different in these verses does not change what they plainly say.

Actually, it is YOU who "see something different" and you have ADDED WORDS to the text.

Not looking to debate you. We have already went down that road before (While I had a different username).

Can you back up your technique of adding words to Scripture?

There is NO DEBATE that you did that. Now, can you explain yourself?

 

[Bible Highlighter]

@FreeGrace2

Please stop replying to me. I will not read your posts.

I do not agree with your belief because I believe it ignores basic morality and the Bible. I believe your interpretation is way beyond what the text plainly says, and I do not believe anything I say will convince you otherwise. So there is no point in having a discussion on this topic. Please take no offense. I am moving on from talking to you on this.

May the Lord's good ways be upon you.

 

[FreeGrace2]

Everyone who posts on these forums is free to respond to posters or not.

@FreeGrace2

Please stop replying to me. I will not read your posts.

No problem. However, for others who also read these posts, I WILL comment, for clarity.

I do not agree with your belief because I believe it ignores basic morality and the Bible.

What I post I provide Scripture, so this charge is totally lame and false.

I believe your interpretation is way beyond what the text plainly says, and I do not believe anything I say will convince you otherwise.

This poster has decided to disengage because of his obvious need to support his claims and opinions, and he knows he can't.

So there is no point in having a discussion on this topic.

There is always a point in discussing differing opinions and views. To determine whether either one lines up with the Bible.

[QUTOE] Please take no offense.[/QUOTE]
I never do. This isn't personal. It's about truth. I can't make anyone believe the truth. I can only show the truth of the Bible.

I am moving on from talking to you on this.

May the Lord's good ways be upon you.

Thank you. Same to you.