Can you get to heaven if you kill yourself?

[righteousdude2]

http://christiananswers.net/q-dml/dml-y038.html


I came across a very good study on the topic of suicide. Because suicide is on the upswing in America
among teens and young people, I thought this would be a good question and topic to ponder and discuss.

Let's see what we as a group can come up with, and how other pastors and laymen handle the issue with their local churches! Please be sure to read the link! If you have additional links and material that can be used to help other church leaders effectively handle this crisis among teens and young adults, please feel free to attach it to this OP. We need to be prepared to discuss this when it comes and stands at our doorstep, and there are many positive ways to address the topic and help the depressed child of God move away for the lie of the enemy to take his or her life in order to end misery in their lives!

And please no pat answers that Christians would never consider this. We know this isn't true, and unless we know and understand suicide for the lie and the sin, it is, we cannot be of assistance to those caught up in its strangle hold!

 

[Baptist Believer]

I came across a very good study on the topic of suicide. Because suicide is on the upswing in America
among teens and young people, I thought this would be a good question and topic to ponder and discuss.

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.

 

[JamesL]

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.

 

[Reynolds]

http://christiananswers.net/q-dml/dml-y038.html


I came across a very good study on the topic of suicide. Because suicide is on the upswing in America
among teens and young people, I thought this would be a good question and topic to ponder and discuss.

Let's see what we as a group can come up with, and how other pastors and laymen handle the issue with their local churches! Please be sure to read the link! If you have additional links and material that can be used to help other church leaders effectively handle this crisis among teens and young adults, please feel free to attach it to this OP. We need to be prepared to discuss this when it comes and stands at our doorstep, and there are many positive ways to address the topic and help the depressed child of God move away for the lie of the enemy to take his or her life in order to end misery in their lives!

And please no pat answers that Christians would never consider this. We know this isn't true, and unless we know and understand suicide for the lie and the sin, it is, we cannot be of assistance to those caught up in its strangle hold!

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

 

[Reynolds]

http://christiananswers.net/q-dml/dml-y038.html


I came across a very good study on the topic of suicide. Because suicide is on the upswing in America
among teens and young people, I thought this would be a good question and topic to ponder and discuss.

Let's see what we as a group can come up with, and how other pastors and laymen handle the issue with their local churches! Please be sure to read the link! If you have additional links and material that can be used to help other church leaders effectively handle this crisis among teens and young adults, please feel free to attach it to this OP. We need to be prepared to discuss this when it comes and stands at our doorstep, and there are many positive ways to address the topic and help the depressed child of God move away for the lie of the enemy to take his or her life in order to end misery in their lives!

And please no pat answers that Christians would never consider this. We know this isn't true, and unless we know and understand suicide for the lie and the sin, it is, we cannot be of assistance to those caught up in its strangle hold!

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.

 

[rsr]

http://christiananswers.net/q-dml/dml-y038.html

I came across a very good study on the topic of suicide.

I don't think it's all that good. And let me add that for everyone who commits suicide there are many others who have gone through a dark night of the soul and, while not actively contemplating suicide, think they have no reason to keep on living, that God is done with them and there is nothing to look forward to.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

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

Profound answer

 

[righteousdude2]

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.

Thanks for your honesty! Sorry about the medicine problem! Some meds do lead to deep depression and even suicidal thoughts! I certainly would not judge anyone wanting to kill themselves, I only wanted to get some discussion going so we as a church could come up with some dialogue as to how we look at this mental health issue, and how we approach those with the tendency to off themselves!

 

[Reynolds]

Thanks for your honesty! Sorry about the medicine problem! Some meds do lead to deep depression and even suicidal thoughts! I certainly would not judge anyone wanting to kill themselves, I only wanted to get some discussion going so we as a church could come up with some dialogue as to how we look at this mental health issue, and how we approach those with the tendency to off themselves!

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.

 

[OnlyaSinner]

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.

 

[Reynolds]

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.

 

[TCassidy]

We as Christians should have these discussions.

I agree. Not just depression but all forms of mental illness should come out of the closet. We need to deal with these serious realities.

Since my past battle with depression, I have talked with several people who attempted or seriously contemplated suicide.

I have never suffered from depression (I am far too arrogant to underestimate my own worth) but I did have an experience with a drug that changed the way I think about such things.

As most of you know I have MS. One of the things that bothers me the most is the pain in my hands, feet, arms, and legs. My doctor prescribed amitriptyline which was an excellent pain killer. But it had originally been developed as an antidepressant. After taking it for a week I realized I had hardly any pain! But after taking it for about a month I noticed a strange side effect. In that twilight between sleeping and waking I would have hallucinations! The ceiling fan in our bedroom looked like a vulture waiting to attack me. My belt, hanging from a hook on my closet door looked like a snake preparing to strike. My shoes, on the floor, became huge rats!

One time, in the middle of the night, I rolled over and saw a zombie lying next to me, reaching toward me. I immediately defended myself by punching then pushing the "zombie" off the bed. Needless to say, my wife was not at all appreciative of being punched and pushed off the bed.

I went to see my doctor the next day and told him I would rather endure the pain than have the hallucinations. He agreed to take me off the medication, but it could not be stopped all at once. He had to wean me off of it slowly. For my wife's safety I slept in the guest room until it was out of my system.

I now have a new appreciation of what some medications can do for and to you, and the trade-offs that accompany many such medications. I have become much more sympathetic toward those who have such daily battles in their lives.

 

[Yeshua1]

http://christiananswers.net/q-dml/dml-y038.html


I came across a very good study on the topic of suicide. Because suicide is on the upswing in America
among teens and young people, I thought this would be a good question and topic to ponder and discuss.

Let's see what we as a group can come up with, and how other pastors and laymen handle the issue with their local churches! Please be sure to read the link! If you have additional links and material that can be used to help other church leaders effectively handle this crisis among teens and young adults, please feel free to attach it to this OP. We need to be prepared to discuss this when it comes and stands at our doorstep, and there are many positive ways to address the topic and help the depressed child of God move away for the lie of the enemy to take his or her life in order to end misery in their lives!

And please no pat answers that Christians would never consider this. We know this isn't true, and unless we know and understand suicide for the lie and the sin, it is, we cannot be of assistance to those caught up in its strangle hold!

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!

 

[Rolfe]

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

 

[Van]

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.

 

[Revmitchell]

Can you get to heaven if you kill yourself?

Yes you just get there sooner.

 

[Rolfe]

Yes you just get there sooner.

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

 

[Yeshua1]

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

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

 

[Revmitchell]

Suicide is a grievous sin, as one puts themselves in place of God as deciding when death happens to us,

Scripture please

 

[Yeshua1]

Scripture please

Suicide is not a sin then?