Suicide

[AudreyNicole]

So, about a year ago a friend of mine committed suicide (no one knows why). But I was just wondering what this means about his salvation. His family was Catholic, I'm not sure if he was saved though.

Anyway, what happens to these people? At his funeral the priest asked God to forgive him and save his soul? Does this "work"? To me committing suicide seems like the ultimate rejection of God. If a saved person commits suicide what happens to their soul?

 

[Iceman]

So, about a year ago a friend of mine committed suicide (no one knows why). But I was just wondering what this means about his salvation. His family was Catholic, I'm not sure if he was saved though.

Anyway, what happens to these people? At his funeral the priest asked God to forgive him and save his soul? Does this "work"? To me committing suicide seems like the ultimate rejection of God. If a saved person commits suicide what happens to their soul?

That's a massively complicated field of discussion. There are dozens of views and interpretations on the meaning of Salvation let alone Salvation and suicide.

Believe me when I say that it's as varied and as long an answer as you could expect to get. I don't recommend trying to actually get that answer on any forum on the internet.

You're better talking to an actually ordained, trained and educated minister.

 

[KingdomSeeker]

So, about a year ago a friend of mine committed suicide (no one knows why). But I was just wondering what this means about his salvation. His family was Catholic, I'm not sure if he was saved though.

Anyway, what happens to these people? At his funeral the priest asked God to forgive him and save his soul? Does this "work"? To me committing suicide seems like the ultimate rejection of God. If a saved person commits suicide what happens to their soul?

Tough tough tough subject! My Aunt commited suicide. so have a few other people i knew. I even used to contimplate it when i was younger. So i know the subject all to well.

First off, God is a merciful God. Not willing that ANY should perish.
Also God judges the intent of the Heart.

That said, Jesus has said what will get you to be with the Father.

But since he IS Mercy, take a look at the theif on the cross, he had till his dying breath to ask for forgiveness.

So If we allow Satan to confuse us, and have his way with us through our lives, to the point of hopelessness, that we kill ourselves, as we are slipping into death, I truly beleive as long as the breath of life is still within us we have a choice to make.

Is that what happened in his case? Only God knows.


Now THAT being said. If A True Christian feels so hopeless, or maybe gets a horrible mental illness(like what happened with my aunt) and ends up ending there life.

Jesus said there is only ONE unpardenable sin. he didnt say many. Or two. He said ONE and that is Blasphepmy of the Holy spirit. Granted if you ARE Born again, you would have the peace of Jesus. However if you have a sever mental ilness, sometimes things just are not as they should be.

God is the ONLY judge. Should people go around killingthemsleves when they feal hopeless? NO!! NO! NO! NO! please NO! There is ALWAYS hope in christ. But, Again God looks at the intention of the heart. He KNOWS you better than you do. So PLEASE persevere through ALL lean on HIM for strength, and you will always be strong.

But dont condemn anyone. God know the heart. I hope that might help, or shed some light on certain things...

 

[sunshineaaks]

So, about a year ago a friend of mine committed suicide (no one knows why). But I was just wondering what this means about his salvation. His family was Catholic, I'm not sure if he was saved though.

Anyway, what happens to these people? At his funeral the priest asked God to forgive him and save his soul? Does this "work"? To me committing suicide seems like the ultimate rejection of God. If a saved person commits suicide what happens to their soul?

So many times with suicide, the survivors won't get the answers to 'why'.

Just as often, we may never know if they are actually saved or not.

Kingdomseeker has some excellent insight that I can only add to at this point.

I’ve known the mercy of God in my own life, and though the death of my brother and sister are not for me to know whether or not they are in heaven, I do know that they were searching out truth before they were killed.

Everyone has a time to die and sometimes this is through suicide and murder. (hence the “attempted” when it is not their time) Did your friend, my brother and sister go to heaven? I don’t know but that is not for us to know. All we can do is learn from their situations (as much as we can), and live as God commands. This is done through study and reading of His word; and searching out what is told to us by those who are suppose to ‘know’ to see which is of God and which is not. Prayer for HIS understanding as you read is a must.

As far as a priest asking God to forgive someone who is already dead and to save their soul, there is nothing in the Bible that states anyone even a priest can do this…… What would actually be the need for Jesus if this was so? Jesus would not be needed if a priest could ask God to forgive a person and save their soul.

There is a verse but at the moment I am not finding it, but it states something on the order of everything in a person’s life being burned by fire but only they come through. Though there will be no rewards, they will enter heaven through Christ. Much like the thief on the cross, I think. Only God knows the heart of anyone moments before death.

 

[AudreyNicole]

hmmmm... thanks, interesting stuff. I suppose I won't find out til I get to heaven. And hopefully I'll find out 'why', too. So many unknowns....

 

[sunshineaaks]

hmmmm... thanks, interesting stuff. I suppose I won't find out til I get to heaven. And hopefully I'll find out 'why', too. So many unknowns....

yes, unfortunately, there are many unknowns.... Don't let the 'unknowns' or things in life hamper your growth and relationship with Christ. Continue reading His word and praying for understanding.

 

[sharen]

There's nothing in the bible that says suicide is a sin. People can (and have tried) to claim that it's murder because you are taking a life. But obviously that's adding to whats already there.

Only God can decide on a persons eternal destiny. Don't ever let anyone convince you otherwise.

 

[sunshineaaks]

There's nothing in the bible that says suicide is a sin. People can (and have tried) to claim that it's murder because you are taking a life. But obviously that's adding to whats already there.

Only God can decide on a persons eternal destiny. Don't ever let anyone convince you otherwise.

If it's God's will for people to go around killing themselves by way of suicide, then no it is not a sin.

IF it is not in God's will to end the life He gave, then yes it is a sin.

Obviously what is in God's will does not add nor subtract from His word but to know what is or isn't His will comes with reading and understanding the Bible to find His truth rather than one's own personal fallacies.

Suicide is the voluntarily act of intentionally taking one's own life
Murder is taking the life of another person usually with malice aforethought (intentional).

Either way, it is the taking of a life, clearly spoken of in the Bible.

 

[AudreyNicole]

There's nothing in the bible that says suicide is a sin. People can (and have tried) to claim that it's murder because you are taking a life. But obviously that's adding to whats already there.

Only God can decide on a persons eternal destiny. Don't ever let anyone convince you otherwise.

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.
1 Corinthians 6:19

I'm pretty sure God doesn't want us to kill His temple. That's like disrespecting Him!

 

[Furious_Love]

To end your life intentionally means you are unwell. To receive the gospel and deny it is choice. If you are in a state that compels you to end your life even though knowing God’s gift still means you are unwell.

[Romans 14:11] for it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bend before me, and every tongue shall give praise to God." [NAB 1996]

If you have never heard the Gospel [Good News] then you are at a disadvantage. Denying eternal life for those who have not heard it is not what God desires. Every knee shall bow before God and will either receive Him as Lord or not. To suicide before your time is due does not deny the Love of God-it means you are unwell.

Scripture has not been fulfilled yet that every Nation should hear the Gospel. When it has He will return.

This is why I believe we will bow our knee before Jesus and find redemption. Even if you end your life prematurely.

You cannot believe that those who have not heard the Message will not have an opportunity to Bow before God and receive Him as Lord.

To guess anything else is only supposition.

 

[stephen]

So, about a year ago a friend of mine committed suicide (no one knows why). But I was just wondering what this means about his salvation. His family was Catholic, I'm not sure if he was saved though.

Anyway, what happens to these people? At his funeral the priest asked God to forgive him and save his soul? Does this "work"? To me committing suicide seems like the ultimate rejection of God. If a saved person commits suicide what happens to their soul?

Hello Audrey, Blessing to you in Jesus is my prayer.

Your concern for your friend is lovely and comendable.

The bible says "Today....Heb. 3.8. Heb.3.15. Now is the accepted time........

I too have mourned over the loss of dear friends. We all have to make our choice for Jesus secure...today.

 

[WilliamR]

Dante Aligheri would tell you that someone who commits suicide is not destined for salvation. But yes it a complicated topic. I would however like to think that He is a merciful God and him being God knos all. Therefore I think your friend -may they forever rest in peace - will be saved (or is)

 

[sunshineaaks]

To end your life intentionally means you are unwell. To receive the gospel and deny it is choice. If you are in a state that compels you to end your life even though knowing God’s gift still means you are unwell.

[Romans 14:11] for it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bend before me, and every tongue shall give praise to God." [NAB 1996]

If you have never heard the Gospel [Good News] then you are at a disadvantage. Denying eternal life for those who have not heard it is not what God desires. Every knee shall bow before God and will either receive Him as Lord or not. To suicide before your time is due does not deny the Love of God-it means you are unwell.

Scripture has not been fulfilled yet that every Nation should hear the Gospel. When it has He will return.

This is why I believe we will bow our knee before Jesus and find redemption. Even if you end your life prematurely.

You cannot believe that those who have not heard the Message will not have an opportunity to Bow before God and receive Him as Lord.

To guess anything else is only supposition.

We are all in a state of ‘unwell’ be that with suicide thoughts and tendencies or with homosexuality, alcoholism and any number of sins. Unwell.

“to suicide before you time is due’ gives that air that God had no clue the person would kill themselves. Not true. All will die, be that through natural, murder, suicide and any number of instances. God knows them all.

God also places evidence OF Himself in everyone. Everyone will be judged in the end because of this. Some because they know His law and rejected Christ and others less drastic judgment because of no earthly knowledge but rejected God’s indwelling evidence any way (Matthew and Hebrews I;m sorry I am not at my own computer but the verse pertain to God given evidence of Himself to everyone so there is no excuse).

However, to say someone who commits suicide is condemned to Hell is a falllacy merely for the fact no human can judge the hearts of man for eternity.

 

[Brighthouse]

This subject is as ugly as the act itself! First why is the act ugly,some believe it is no sin to do this. My understanding of taking ones life,is first,it is not your life to take. God brought life to the earth,and only God has any right to take it from us.

With this said,in love,let us consider the meaning of suicide. How do we know it is bad? First Judas did it. His reason for doing this,is one because first he was a thief. stealing from others.(John 12:6 and John 13:29) and by stealing as he did,he opened the door to the enemy.( eph 4:27) and by doing this,he became possessed by the devil himself,the Greatest thief among all thiefs!!( john 10:10) ( luke 22:3) Now if this was not bad enough!! The act of suicide is the betraying of Jesus. To steal from him, who gave life to us! By doing this, Jesus says this in Matt 26:24 But woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born. Now no suger coating here,this sin,and it is sin,can be forgiven by Jesus! For as someone here said only God knows the heart of us.Very true!! Perhaps he was repenting and could not get help! This is possible! But for those of us who have considered this act,make no mistake,and have no doubt,it is very wrong in God's eyes! For only a thief robs,and we know what happened to Judas. Let not the enemy decieve any of you either!! He is the KING of thiefs! It is an act,that if,and I do say if was not repented upon after the act was made,that person will join Judas! However!! With much love, if they did repent!! Then they sure can be forgiven!! I am not any judge!! Nor do I ever wish to be one!! of anybody!! But at the same time, the very act of suicide is horrible!! And horror will be the result to those who have not repented! Judad hung himself,did he have time to repent??Only God himself know this,but from what matt 26:24 says,he did not repent! I have thought much before going on here to answer such an inpotant question.I wanted to answer this with as much love as I possibly could! I hope you have found that I have done this!! blessing to you!

 

[SpiritLedEd]

If a saved person commits suicide what happens to their soul?

Only God knows whether or not a person is truly saved because only He knows what is going on in the depths of our hearts. As to the priest praying for God to forgive your friend of his "sin", that goes back to the old Catholic teaching that suicide is the same as murder; that the person is in effect murdering themselves. I would hope that the Catholic Church has softened that stance since I left and begun to recognize the mitigating circumstances that can lead to suicide.

SLE

 

[Brighthouse]

One more small note, on this the Lord wanted me to provide for us. Matt 27:3-5, then look at Acts 1:16-20!! Many wonder how this could have happened,personaly I believe it was the enemy coming back out of him.I think you will find this reading in Acts most intersting! blessing.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Perhaps Judas hadn't listened sincerely to some of Jesus' teaching and thererby failed to grasp His forgiveness.

SLE