I remember the shock and sadness I felt when I heard that Dick, my former roommate in seminary, had taken his life. I knew he had struggled with depression for many years, but had no idea he had decided to end his life. He had a mental illness and had been on medication, but still made this decision. Is Dick in heaven?
The Bible tells of four who took their own life: Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus. (Matthew 27:3-5) King Saul, King of Israel. (1 Samuel 31:4-5) Ahithophel, a former advisor to King David. (2 Samuel 17:23). We could also include Samson, though he was also inflicting judgment on the Philistines. (Judges 16:28-30)
Sometimes, people may have fleeting thoughts of suicide but do not act on them. That’s more common than most of us might think, even among Christians. Others have a death wish, praying that God would let them die. In both cases, the sense of hopelessness may make a person more vulnerable to thoughts that Satan may plant in a person’s mind since his goal is to “kill, steal and destroy” (John 10:10).
Did you know there were several in the Bible who had a death wish, who prayed God would kill them? They include: Moses (Numbers 11:13-15), Job (Job 6:8-11), Elijah (1 Kings 19:4), and Jonah (Jonah 4:3-8).
The question remains, “Do people who commit suicide go to heaven, especially those who say they are Christians?”
Suicide is a type of murder, right? Is there any sin too great that Jesus’ death on the cross is insufficient to pay the penalty for it? Colossians 2:13 tells us, “13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins.” How many of our sins were in the future when Jesus died for them? All of them, of course, including suicide.
No matter how a person in Christ dies, that person still goes to heaven. Suicide cannot thwart God’s grace in Jesus Christ! If you have a friend or a family member who committed suicide, be assured that everyone in Christ who dies for any reason is in heaven, just as my friend, Dick, is.
However, please don’t commit suicide. What you feel right now can change. God loves you, and He wants you to live! So, do the people who care about you!
If you are having suicidal thoughts and feel like your life is hopeless, though you may not feel it, there is always hope in Christ. Don’t believe the lie that your family and friends will be better off without you. Their grief will be with them the rest of their lives. Also, don’t believe you will never get past the pain you are feeling now. You eventually will.
1) Contact The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or 988.
2) Tell someone about the thoughts you are having. If you have no one, contact us at 704-522-9026.
3) Make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your suicidal thoughts.
