Bible Question:
What does the Bible say about the act of suicide? Is it murder? Is it something that will condemn a soul to eternity apart from God? |
Bible Answer: Greetings Saul! This is always a touchy issue with people. It is the kind of question that many wonder about because they have had friends or family who have committed suicide. So, naturally there is an emotional element to the question for many. I agree with everything JVHO212 said in his response to your question, but I would like to add one point. An act of sin does not cause us to lose our salvation, just as an act of righteousness does not gain us salvation. Scripture is very clear that we cannot earn salvation. It is a free gift (Rom. 6:23) and it is by grace (Eph. 2:8-9). All of us would agree with this point. Yet, for some reason, when we start asking questions about the salvation of someone who has committed suicide, we suddenly change the parameters. I realize that your question didn't do this since you simply asked if suicide would "condemn a soul to eternity apart from God?". Our salvation is based upon God's grace, not our works. So, I believe that if a Christian committed suicide, that he would not "lose" his salvation. To say otherwise would be to say that he could "unearn" salvation when we all would agree that he can't "earn" it. In fact, I don't believe that a Christian can "lose" his or her salvation. To "lose" something implies an accident. I believe that our salvation is assured by Christ's atoning work on the cross. Therefore, as long as we are "in Him" we can never be lost. Now, as an Arminian, I do believe that a Christian can knowingly reject Christ (Heb. 6:6) and no longer be in Christ. But this is a willful choice, not a "losing" of salvation. p.s. - This principle would apply to all single acts of sin. If I was angry and someone and then got hit by a car, I would not "lose" my salvation. If I told a lie and then fell off of a building, I would not "lose" my salvation. I can't do anything to earn salvaiton, neither can I "do" anything to unearn it. My salvation is totally based upon the mercy and grace of God. Special Note: By these statements, I am not implying that sin has no consequences. Sin can cause us to lose our effectiveness in minsitry (how many pastors have fallen into sin?). Acts of sin can lead to patterns of sin. Patterns of sin can lead to a hardened heart that rejects Christ (Heb. 3:12). Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |