PRINT
Forgiveness of suicide, as with all sins, is contingent on one's relationship to Christ. If you are apart from Christ, you will not be forgiven whether you commit suicide or not. (see Colossians 1:14 and John 3:16-18)
More specifically, I believe you're asking if a Christian can commit suicide and still be forgiven and go to Heaven. That question too has its answer in the finished work of Christ. Hebrews 7:25 tells us, "Now He is able to save completely all those who come to God through Him, for He always lives to intercede for them." According to this verse and its immediate context, the forgiveness of sins by God to all who believe and receive Jesus Christ, is based in the continuity of Christ's ministry and the perfection of His self-sacrifice, once for all.
Notice it is absolutely not contingent on our ability to continually ask his forgiveness for our sins. If we know Christ, we are justified by God once and for all time, as the Greek tense of the verb for "justified" in Romans 8:30 indicates God's one-time act with consequences going forward forever.
No, this is not a license to sin, as the Spirit said through the Apostle Paul, "May we continue sinning that grace may abound? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin continue to live in it?" (Romans 6:1-2)
Many other passages speak to the eternal security of those believers who endure to the end. (see Philippians 4:13, Romans 8:29-31, Revelation 2:26-28) Even the so-called "problem passages" in the book of Hebrews, are seen most clearly in the context of God disciplining His sons--an encouraging not a dreadful thing. (see Heb. 12:5-12)
The question with suicide is one of whether or not the person truly endured to the end. If the suicide was a moment, albeit a big one, of temporary weakness, then that believer would be ushered into the saving presence of God in Christ Jesus. If the suicide was but a mere symptom of the person's faith getting "choked off by the cares of the world," then certain judgment by Christ Jesus Himself awaits the suicidal one.
In all this, only God knows the true condition of a person's heart at death--suicide or not. If you're found in Christ Jesus through believing in Him as evidenced by your enduring in His strength to the end, then you already stand saved by His perfect, eternal High Priestly ministry--chiefly through His offer of Himself once for all for our sins. (Heb. 7:27; I John 5:11-12)
I pray this helps...
Comments
I believe many have been troubled by the idea that suicide is the "unpardonable sin," and that there is no forgiveness, because one is unable to repent for that final act. I also believe that those most troubled by this dilemma are those who have suicide in they're family history, or someone they knew intimately who took their own life. I get great comfort, as one who does have several suicides in my family history, in knowing the facts about God and his love for those who pursue his plan "to endure to the end."
Having no control over what others do, my comfort is in the present state of those who are seeking God to the end, and not dwelling on those of the past, or future, who have/will commit suicide. God judges the heart, and my prayer for all people is that their hearts are in focus with God, and I personally have no condemnation toward those who don't pursue God. If I don't know a person's heart condition when suicide in committed (even if I think I do) my prayer is that God will have mercy when that tragedy occurs.
Lost my husband to suicide almost two years ago and I am hoping that through the mercy of Jesus he is not yet suffering or lost. Personally I have lost faith as of late, if the afterlife means heaven for me and hell for him then I guess I am eternally damned as well.
Years ago I saw a twilight zone episode where a man told what he thought to be as st. peter at the gates that if his dog could not enter heaven with him then he would not walk in.. so he walked away, and met the real st.peter and was told the other man was satan trying to trick him and of course the dog was welcome to enter heaven with him.
The above was just a fictional story but it makes sense, what loving god would turn away a soul because it was 'just a dog' Even though I suppose there is probably somewhere in the scriptures that would say that your dog cant enter with you. I dont know.
All I know is that if my husband and dog are not welcome I am not leaving them behind.
I have been a person of spiritual conviction since I was around 10 years old. I have survived over eight surgeries and over nine automobile accidents. I have always had faith but lately it's been a bit shaky.I continue to do my readings, and pray.I might mention that i am also bipolar and under medication. I hear voices and see things at times that i argue are there where as friends and doctors may differ. As of recently my relationship with my best friend and partner have been out of sorts. But even that aside my feelings of what is going on in the world and inside my heart have me so conflicted. My father who has been my hero and best friend all my life has Alzheimer. This is so hard to handle and i try to help mom as much as I can. I have always hoped to go before my parents cause i am not sure I could make it without them. I know that seems odd coming from a man of 46 years of age. But working with them and being such a close family to think of my life without them.And to think that my friend of seven years no longer cares to be with me cause they want their own life .Who can blame them right? I ponder on ways to end this life so i can be waiting for my family when they get to heaven.But I don't want to do something where i would not be there. I love Jesus and i try to live as King David as a man after God;s own heart. But I feel so lost and alone right now in everything. My manic highs are getting worse my lows are even lower.I can seem to help everyone but myself.Surely God will either give me an answer or forgive me for what I can't help but feel is my only way home.