Featured Can you get to heaven if you kill yourself?

The link really distorts the scripture to try to match up common reasons for suicide with biblical examples - Saul's suicide is a particularly bad distortion. If someone is suicidal and they decide to look up some of those passages, they will realize that the author of the "answer" is misusing scripture and may think that Bible really doesn't have anything to say to them.

I have worked with a number of people who have revealed to me that they wanted to commit suicide and have been able to counsel them and get them help (including medical and psychological help) - while also being true to scripture. I have also known people, including family members, who apparently did not tell anyone of their struggle and successfully killed themselves, and have had to work through the aftermath talking to their family members about these issues.

There are few easy answers and working with people in crisis involves intense commitment and wisdom.

 

In the article about the specific question of suicide and "making heaven", they cite Romans 8:37-39 as "proof" of eternal security. I'm just dumbfounded at the number of people, even so-called scholars, who are relying on this out-of-context reference to teach eternal security.

Mind you, scripture absolutely affirms eternal security. But I it's heinous (and abusive to scripture) to take a promise that he will not abandon us during difficult times of suffering and persecution, and twist it into a promise of eternal security.

Eternal security is not as simple as proof-texting. True enough, the Bible says that nothing just not just out of God's hand. But there are plenty of people who assert the God will not keep us from jumping.

How are eternal security rests upon the new creation, whereby we have been made the righteousness of God (2Cor 5:17, 21). this is a matter of the inner man. We are the Temple of the Holy Spirit, and the sanctuary has been cleansed and forever perfected. Hebrews 9-10 and Leviticus 16 demonstrate what happened in the sanctuary to prepare it as the dwelling place of God. It was cleansed and purified.

Our spirit is made 100% sinless, in order that the holy spirit of God will come and dwell in us. This is our inner being, and has nothing to do with our behavior.

 

Will dying of cancer send you to Hell? Why should dying of mental illness be any different?

 

Christians will definitely consider it. My orthopedic doctor put me on what he said was a non addictive painkiller for chronic pain. I was on a high dose for over a year. I found out from another doctor that it was causing my liver enzymes to go up. He also told me that the medicine was developed as an anti depressant and in testing they found it to be a better painkiller than antidepressant. He also told me that in some people, it was extremely addictive. I was one of those people. I tapered dosage down, as he advised. When the dosage got low, I got depressed. When I quit taking it at any dosage, the depression got awful. All I will say is that I can now FULLY understand why someone would end their own life. I will not judge ANYONE again about this.

 

Profound answer

 

I know. Your intention is simply a fruitful discussion. We as Christians should have these discussions. Since my past battle with depression, I have talked with several people who attempted or seriously contemplated suicide. Surprisingly, they all share similar stories of what they were thinking.

 

If suicide could cost people their salvation (assuming that salvation is real), it would mean that their sin is more powerful than Christ's righteousness. Utter blasphemy.

 

Even though I believe eternal security, I do not think not holding to it is anywhere near blasphemy.

 

Suicide is a grievous sin, as one puts themselves in place of God as deciding when death happens to us, but it is not an unforgivable sin for a true Christian!

 

My own opinion. It is the peak of arrogance to judge another for this type of struggle.

 

When a person is born anew, they are made holy and blameless and their sins (or at least the consequences) are forgiven and remembered no more forever. Thus we are incapable of committing any sin that results in spiritual consequences, let alone an unforgivable or unpardonable sin's consequence. So, if a person is actually saved, committing suicide will not result in being cast out.

So the issue is the possibility we think we have been saved, but Jesus will say on that day, depart from Me, I never knew you. In which case suicide will close the door on the opportunity for salvation and eternal life. I think the evidence in scripture is clear, suicide is a sin. We should try to discern why those with an apparent opportunity for service to Christ would choose to avoid the travail.

 

Yes you just get there sooner.

 

Was this meant to be funny? If so, it is in poor taste.

 

No, it is rather a misunderstanding of what eternal life really means!

 

Scripture please

 

Suicide is not a sin then?