Will my Cousin go to heaven?

[CynderMizuki]

A few months ago my cousin killed himself and I never really knew him but I'm so confused if he went to heaven or not. He was struggling with drugs and I think that effected him a lot. All my family members tell me he was a very good person and he was somewhat religious but had a hard time becoming a full Christian (my mom always tried to help him). When I found out I was crying to my best friend (who is the strongest Christian I've ever known) and he helped me a lot. I'm so confused will my cousin get to heaven?

 

[DaisyDay]

There's no way of knowing at this time.

 

[dark.lightning]

I hope so... There are three basic questions that I've been taught that usually, but not always, answer that question. Did your cousin choose to be baptized? Were they taught Scripture? Did your cousin repent from his/her sins?

 

[Christopher0121]

A few months ago my cousin killed himself and I never really knew him but I'm so confused if he went to heaven or not. He was struggling with drugs and I think that effected him a lot. All my family members tell me he was a very good person and he was somewhat religious but had a hard time becoming a full Christian (my mom always tried to help him). When I found out I was crying to my best friend (who is the strongest Christian I've ever known) and he helped me a lot. I'm so confused will my cousin get to heaven?

I'll share what I believe.

First, I don't believe one can be a "Christian" but not yet be a "full Christian". I'll explain.... For example, consider mighty oak trees. Now, consider a sapling oak tree (a baby tree). Is it any less an oak tree? No. By nature it's just as much of an oak tree as the mighty oak trees. It's just still immature in it's development. Many Christians are still in various stages of growth... but they are FULL Christians. They have the new and abiding nature of the Holy Spirit uniting them with Christ, who is God Almighty in human flesh. So, I don't believe your brother wasn't a "full Christian".

Second, it doesn't matter if your brother was a good person or not. Because your brother is human... we're all born with a sinful, vile, nature that is repugnant to God. Even our good deeds are tainted with self serving pride, arrogance, and desire to look good to ourselves for our ego's sake, or to others for our reputation's sake. So even our good deeds are tainted with our sinful nature. Your brother was only "good enough" in God's eyes because of Jesus. Christ's very own sinless righteousness was like a robe that was wrapped around your brother the momen he was saved. That isn't a righteousness based on his own behaviors (self righteousness), it was Christ's righteousness imputed to Him (the righteousness of God). So your brother's behaviors and actions have little to do with his being accepted by God in Christ Jesus. Your brother's standing before God is rooted in his very union with Jesus through faith.

Drugs are an addiction. And they often lead to sinful behaviors. It's a form of bondage, slavery, to the flesh. But your brother's spirit was united with Christ, though his flesh and human mind was bound by the substance. Drugs can change the brains chemical balances bringing psychosis and depression. It may be that your brother's spirit was in so much torment over being in bondage to drugs and the other sins that accompany this that he felt he needed to escape. If he attended a legalistic church that made him focus on his behaviors instead of Christ's finished work and felt defeated he might have wanted out of the fight. Who wants to live a defeated life with fingers being wagged in one's face constantly? Or perhaps he bore shame or guilt and pain over something we'll never know on this side of glory. But here's what I believe... my Jesus is merciful... even to those children of His who are undeserving. I believe your brother is in Heaven. However, I also believe that he has suffered great loss, now knowing all the blessings God had in store for him through Jesus that were intended to be his. And I think he's suffered great spiritual loss now knowing how badly his death has hurt everyone. These are painful realities his soul will face for some time throughout eternity. His life's work was tried in the fire... and that which was hay, wood, and stubble has been burned... he himself suffering loss... but being saved yet so as by fire. A life wasted. But in Christ you can still rejoice... I'd trust that God's mercy saved him, even in his pain. I'd also rejoice because God isn't through with him. God will bring to fruition great blessing to him in the sweet by and by... just not the blessings he could have had.

I pray none of that offended you. It's a great loss. I pray that you find peace and grace to sustain you. Give all things to the Lord who is a just and loving Saviour.

God bless.

 

[Catherineanne]

A few months ago my cousin killed himself and I never really knew him but I'm so confused if he went to heaven or not. He was struggling with drugs and I think that effected him a lot. All my family members tell me he was a very good person and he was somewhat religious but had a hard time becoming a full Christian (my mom always tried to help him). When I found out I was crying to my best friend (who is the strongest Christian I've ever known) and he helped me a lot. I'm so confused will my cousin get to heaven?

Our God is one of love, mercy and compassion. He will not abandon your cousin, so the answer is yes, he is in eternity with God.

Suicide is the symptom of an illness, not a sin. God will have mercy on anyone who struggles against this illness, and does the best he or she can against it. It is not a sin to be given a cross heavier than we can bear.

 

[Phoenix92885]

Romans 10:9 says, "Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

If your cousin was able to do this then you will see him again one day. The truth though is that we don't know for sure. He may have done this by himself and the only one who knows is God but that is enough. God is merciful and loving. Your cousin may have made his mistakes but he's still a child of God and God hasn't forgotten that.

My condolences for you and your family. I too have recently experienced a death in the family so my thoughts and prayers go to you guys.

Phoenix

 

[ManiKing]

I'll share what I believe.

First, I don't believe one can be a "Christian" but not yet be a "full Christian". I'll explain.... For example, consider mighty oak trees. Now, consider a sapling oak tree (a baby tree). Is it any less an oak tree? No. By nature it's just as much of an oak tree as the mighty oak trees. It's just still immature in it's development. Many Christians are still in various stages of growth... but they are FULL Christians. They have the new and abiding nature of the Holy Spirit uniting them with Christ, who is God Almighty in human flesh. So, I don't believe your brother wasn't a "full Christian".

Second, it doesn't matter if your brother was a good person or not. Because your brother is human... we're all born with a sinful, vile, nature that is repugnant to God. Even our good deeds are tainted with self serving pride, arrogance, and desire to look good to ourselves for our ego's sake, or to others for our reputation's sake. So even our good deeds are tainted with our sinful nature. Your brother was only "good enough" in God's eyes because of Jesus. Christ's very own sinless righteousness was like a robe that was wrapped around your brother the momen he was saved. That isn't a righteousness based on his own behaviors (self righteousness), it was Christ's righteousness imputed to Him (the righteousness of God). So your brother's behaviors and actions have little to do with his being accepted by God in Christ Jesus. Your brother's standing before God is rooted in his very union with Jesus through faith.

Drugs are an addiction. And they often lead to sinful behaviors. It's a form of bondage, slavery, to the flesh. But your brother's spirit was united with Christ, though his flesh and human mind was bound by the substance. Drugs can change the brains chemical balances bringing psychosis and depression. It may be that your brother's spirit was in so much torment over being in bondage to drugs and the other sins that accompany this that he felt he needed to escape. If he attended a legalistic church that made him focus on his behaviors instead of Christ's finished work and felt defeated he might have wanted out of the fight. Who wants to live a defeated life with fingers being wagged in one's face constantly? Or perhaps he bore shame or guilt and pain over something we'll never know on this side of glory. But here's what I believe... my Jesus is merciful... even to those children of His who are undeserving. I believe your brother is in Heaven. However, I also believe that he has suffered great loss, now knowing all the blessings God had in store for him through Jesus that were intended to be his. And I think he's suffered great spiritual loss now knowing how badly his death has hurt everyone. These are painful realities his soul will face for some time throughout eternity. His life's work was tried in the fire... and that which was hay, wood, and stubble has been burned... he himself suffering loss... but being saved yet so as by fire. A life wasted. But in Christ you can still rejoice... I'd trust that God's mercy saved him, even in his pain. I'd also rejoice because God isn't through with him. God will bring to fruition great blessing to him in the sweet by and by... just not the blessings he could have had.

I pray none of that offended you. It's a great loss. I pray that you find peace and grace to sustain you. Give all things to the Lord who is a just and loving Saviour.

God bless.

You answered this amazingly.

 

[dark.lightning]

God forgives us all; He is a forgiving Father. Your cousin is in heaven, I am sure. If you are not, spend some time talking to and praying to God.