It is not unusual for pastors to be asked spiritual questions. It happens almost every single day in person, by email, by social media, or by telephone. And one of the questions that I get asked often is about suicide. Usually, the person is grieving over a loved one that took their own life and they are questioning if the person is excluded from heaven because of having committed suicide.
It is a sad reality that some Christians have taken their own lives. I have personally known a number of good and honorable people of faith who have become so discouraged and disheartened with life that they thought suicide was the best option. Here is the truth: if anyone ever suggests or says that committing suicide automatically means that a person is lost and will spend eternity separated from the Lord, they are wrong. That is not what the Bible says or implies at all.
The Bible teaches that from the moment we truly believe in Jesus Christ and put our faith in Him alone, we are guaranteed eternal life (John 3:16). 1 John 5:13 says, that we can know without any doubt that we have eternal life. Romans 8:38-39 reminds us that nothing can separate a Christian from God’s love.
According to the Bible, it is not suicide (or any other manner of death) that determines whether a person spends eternity in heaven or in hell. It is our repentance of sin and trusting in Christ alone for forgiveness and redemption that gives us eternal life. If an unsaved person commits suicide, he has simply expedited his eternity separated from God in hell.
Understand that God is the giver of life and it is the Lord who should determine when our days on earth are over. There is no question that the taking of life is a sin. Suicide is a sin, but it is like unto any other. Jesus died for all our sins! If a true Christian—in a time of spiritual attack and weakness—commits suicide, his sin is still covered by the blood of Jesus Christ.
When I asked Jesus Christ to be the Lord of my life, He forgave my sins past, present, and future. My goal is to live for Him and let Him be the Lord of my life every moment of every day. But my salvation is not determined by my ability to walk the straight and narrow; it is in Jesus’ sacrifice in my place.
The suicide of a believer is a reminder that our enemy, Satan, wants to destroy us. He cannot keep us out of heaven but he will do anything he can “to steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10).
Suicide is not the unpardonable sin. It is also not God’s plan. It leaves a myriad of issues for loved ones left behind. But it does not determine a person’s eternal destiny. Only faith in Jesus Christ can do that! Here is a word from the Word: “For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers, height or depth, or any created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:38-39).
Written by Dr. Bruce Chesser, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church, Hendersonville, TN.
If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, or with the death of a loved one who committed suicide and you need to talk with a professional counselor—contact us today:
The BabbCenter for Counseling
615-824-3772
105 Music Village Blvd, Hendersonville, TN 37075