If a Christian commits suicide, does he or she go to heaven?

The topic of suicide is an emotional one and we can not help but wonder if the circumstances might have a bearing on the eternal outcome. We struggle with a lack of Biblical information that might give us closure and our judgment becomes clouded when actions are weighed against situational ethics instead of the scriptures.

The following is for those who believe a person who commits suicide will go to hell.  The rest can read along. We'll get to you in a minute.

A man stands weeping by his son's hospital bed.  The doctor just informed him that his son will die without a heart transplant and there is not enough time to find a suitable donor.  The man holds his son's limp hand and prays for help, realizing it will take a miracle.  For a moment, he considers what his life will be like without his son and a deep pain smothers his soul.  Turning his head, he slowly walks out of the room, leaving the doctor and attending nurses behind.   A moment later, they are startled by a very loud BOOM. They open the door and run into the hallway to find the boy's father lying in a pool of blood with a gunshot wound to his head.  In one hand is a gun. In the other is a piece of paper. The doctor reaches down and takes the paper out of the man's still quivering hand.  On it is written a note that says, "My son stole my heart when he was born.  Please give it to him now so that he might live."

Did this man go to hell for what he did?

You are not be so sure now, are you?

The following is for those who believe this person who committed suicide will go to heaven.

The doctor and nurses hurry to prepare the man's body for surgery to remove his heart. They have only moments to complete the critical process.   Phone calls are made and a cardio-vascular team is assembled and waiting at a hospital in a nearby town.   As the helicopter is transporting the dying boy and his father's heart, the pilot hears a strange thunk, the engines seize, and the helicopter plunges to the ground, killing everyone on board.  Meanwhile, back at the first hospital, an auto accident victim dies on the operating table.   It is the boy's cousin.  The blood type is a perfect match. They have a donor. The father of the boy died in vain and was ultimately responsible for his son's death.

By now, both camps are scurrying to prepare their disclaimers. Wait just a moment, there's more.   A Christian man has been emotionally troubled for years.  He has had trouble holding a steady job.   His marriage has crumbled.  His house and car have been repossessed. Late one night, after a few too many drinks, he jumps off a bridge to his death.  Autopsy reports revealed the man had a brain tumor that was causing his irrational behavior and depression.

By now, several people have traded camps more than once.  Surely God would forgive a man who commits suicide to save his son. The other camps says, "Yes, but if he had just waited and trusted God..." Then everybody joins in unison, stating the last man surely went to heaven because it wasn't his fault. Maybe it's not so clear cut after all.

Let's look at a few more situations.

How about the Christian who smokes and dies of lung cancer? Did he or she commit suicide? What about the man who falls to his death while testing a new parachute design. Technically, he caused his own death. What about the one who drives his car into a bridge after drinking too much?  How about the person who dies when their liver fails after a life of too much medication or the furniture refinisher who dies when he destroys his lungs by breathing toxic fumes?  Then there is the man who postpones repairing the brakes on his car. He runs a stop sign and hits a school bus, killing himself and three children. Technically, these all committed suicide. They took their own life.

Where will they spend eternity?

Like me, you are probably saying, "I DON"T KNOW! Dear God, I don't know and I can't find the answer!" We would all like to have closure on this topic. We would all like to have a clear answer that we can point to in the scriptures, but honestly, it just isn't there. Do you supposed there is a reason for that? I am sure the disciples even wondered about Judas. The question is not new. It has been asked for centuries and no one wrote a single clear verse to give us all closure.

Over the years, two members of my family have attempted suicide. One was my mother. The other was my son. I still cry when I remember those times. It was close, but they are both still with us. Other families are not as fortunate. I remember the day, last summer, when I stood in the emergency room with my son lying on the table. He was dying and I was falling apart. I remember crying, telling him, "If you have to go, please take me with you because I don't know how I can live without you." One of my other son's was at my side and I know he felt the same way. I relived those painful memories again today, then it dawned on me. I smoke. I am doing the same thing to my friends and family. My kids have asked me to quit for years and I keep putting it off.  

I remember what it feels like to stand next to the bed of someone who is dying and I don't want to put you through that, so I quit. Let's all live a long life together, shall we? You help me and I'll help you. That's what it's all about. To those who have lost friends and loved ones to suicide, our prayers are with you. I wish we had all the answers, but we don't and no one does. Sometimes all we have to offer is compassion and a shoulder. If suicide is sin, remember, God views all sin the same. Jesus died for our sins. If someone believes a Christian who commits suicide goes to hell, they probably better review how they keep the Sabbath and every other commandment. Then there is the verse that says if we know to do good and don't do it, it's sin. That should give us all something to think about for a while.

- Rod

• Topic: Reflections

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