There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus(Romans 8:1).
Life can be tough. It doesn’t matter much who you are — or certainly how much money you make — life will present you with challenges and trials that sometimes seem too difficult.
We all have felt it, along with every person and every family we know. In fact, it is not likely that we know anyone for whom life is absolutely perfect, who has no pain in their lives.
We seem, though, to be living in a time where human nature seems more and more likely to simply…. well, give up when things get tough. We see it all around us — in marriages and other relationships, in jobs and careers. We seem not to choose to stick it out.
Very sadly, recent years have seen an increase in the number of people crippled by depression and dying by suicide. While figures are not yet in for 2022, 2021 saw a 14% increase in the number of suicides in the year.
For non-believers, the taking of one’s own life simply accelerates an eternal separation from God — meaning hell.
But for believers? What about that person who accepted Christ into their hearts? Will they also experience eternal separation from God — or will their faith in Christ deliver them into a paradise for eternity?
Author’s Note: If you are considering suicide — or know someone who is — please, please seek help now. You are not alone. Call 800-273-8255, the national hotline, or 988, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Do not wait a moment longer. If you or someone you know are in crisis and need immediate support, call 911 IMMEDIATELY.
Unless We’ve Been There
It is difficult for anyone on the outside looking in to imagine what would bring someone — anyone, but especially a believer — to feel like there is no hope or alternative in this life. It is so easy to sit in judgment of others who do so.
For onlookers, it is so easy to point fingers and talk about what a "selfish or gutless act of suicide is." Indeed, we do recognize that there are loved ones who will be left with a remaining lifetime of heartache over the loss of the person for whom they cared deeply. And yet…
It is impossible to know the torment that can be brought on by depression, deep anxiety, guilt — or other mental illnesses and how these feelings might be exacerbated by alcohol, or drugs, at a given moment in time.
These are crippling disorders of the mind and heart that, most times, cannot be controlled. And which of us truly knows the impact of evil spirits around us invading our thoughts at any given time?
Does Suicide Keep a Believer from Heaven?
It is a very sad fact of this sinful, sin-filled world that some Christians have died by suicide. Adding to such a tragedy is the false teaching that suicide automatically condemns one to an eternity in hell.
Many believe that a Christian who dies by suicide is not saved. And yet, this teaching is not supported in the Bible.
One of the arguments for such a false teaching is that of repentance. 1 John 1:9 tells us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Yet, the verses that precede this verse are quite clearly intended for non-believers — not for believers. Otherwise, we must defend an argument that we must ask God to forgive us after each and every sin.
What if we miss one? What if we didn’t even realize we had sinned? What if you were to die in an auto crash right after having a sinful thought?
This argument would also render salvation as dependent on our behavior. Our works. And that is simply not the message of the Gospel of Christ.
Indeed, if this teaching were true — if repentance is required for each and every sin we commit — how could anyone come to the conclusion that God has completely forgiven them of their sin?
How could they understand and believe the finality of sin in Christ’s death on the cross or ever be able to truly experience God’s peace and rest?
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith. And this is NOT your own doing: it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9, emphasis added).
One other argument, perhaps more compelling, used is that one who dies by suicide could not have truly given themselves to Christ, could not be truly born again; otherwise, they would not have felt so compelled.
The Bible is quite absolute in telling us if a person has a genuine, true relationship with God through Jesus’ finished work on the cross, regardless of any sin they commit, they will go to heaven.
Yes, suicide is perceived as self-murder, which we know is a sin. We are also told, however when a person enters a relationship with Christ, their sin will be forgiven.
The truth is, we do not always know if someone has truly trusted God’s grace. A person may say they believe but had not meant it. They may say the words, but the truth never makes it to their hearts. Judas is an example of one who seemed to have been saved but was not.
But whether or not someone’s faith is real isn’t ours to know or to judge. We do know this: where there is genuine conversion, there is eternal salvation.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).
There is but one unforgivable sin — blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (Mark 3:28-29). Jesus’ own words tell us, then, that suicide can and is forgiven.
A Christian who unfortunately, and quite tragically, loses their way and, in the midst of their despair and confusion, dies by suicide will be received by the Father.
What Can We Do?
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour(1 Peter 5:8).
Many of us have succumbed at times to the questions of doubt brought on, we know, by the evil one. The suicide of a believer ought to be quite compelling evidence that anyone can struggle with despair and that our enemy, Satan, is prowling like a roaring lion, just waiting to pounce.
We must be alert — not just for our own states of mind but also for that of our brothers and sisters in Christ and for others. Pay attention. Be there for them — just to listen and pray with them.
As believers, we are called to live our lives for God’s glory. That means the decision of when we are to die is God’s — and only God’s.
Author’s Note: If you or someone you know are in crisis and need immediate support, call 1-800-273-8255, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, get yourself to a hospital if you can, or call 911.
A Closing Prayer
Through the Psalms, we learn a great deal about David and the torment he often lived through. His questions, his doubts — his despair. Yet, David was called “a man after God’s own heart.”
Psalm 43:5 is a powerful prayer to help us through difficult times.
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed with in me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
And my prayer for you…
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with the hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).
For further reading:
How Should Christians Respond to Suicide?
What Does the Bible Say about Suicide?
How to Help Someone Dealing with the Loss of a Loved One Due to Suicide?
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