If a christian commits suicide, would they go to hell?

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Kreation

Senior Member
Sep 19, 2013
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#1
I realise that this is a really sensitive subject and I apologise if anyone finds this topic hard. I'm asking this question as I see this question pop up a lot.

I feel that this one takes the application of some simple logic. In Ephesians 1:13-14 Paul wrote that at the moment we first heard the gospel and believed it the Holy Spirit was sealed within us as a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance. In 2 Cor. 1:21-22 he added to this saying that God Himself has accepted responsibility for us and put His mark of ownership on us. In Colossians 2:13-14 he said that the Lord forgave us all our sins at the cross. That means our salvation was guaranteed before we had a chance to do anything, good or bad, after becoming saved.


Since God knows the end from the beginning, He knew every sin we would ever commit. The moment we accepted the Gospel and became born again all of them were forgiven, even the sin of taking our own life if it comes to that.

Yet some people believe that they would go to hell. Some will argue, but how can you repent of suicide? It is too late after you died. But I believe that this betrays an idea that each time you sin you temporarily lose your salvation before you go back to God and ask for his forgiveness.

So what are your views?

God bless!

(
Also I'd like to point out that God would never want you to take your life as he values it more than anything in the world, so much that he gave his own son)
 
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T_Laurich

Senior Member
Mar 24, 2013
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#2
I don't believe that it is a Christ like thing to commit suicide... Christ could have escaped the pain on the cross and from this world... He could have called down a legion of angels to relieve His pain... But He suffered for us... I am not one to talk about a Christians severe depression.. I have been diagnosed as severely clinically depressed.. I have been institutionalized due to my act of trying to take my own life even though I didn't really want to... And I was weak because I had no one to lean on... If anything drives a Christian a true Christian to suicide... I pray to God I never experience such pain in my life... Because I am not as strong as they...

If someone is a follower of Christ... then yes they will go to heaven.. If they love Him with all their hearts... Then yes they will go to heaven... Is it possible? I have to say yes... But it is the biggest gamble you could ever make... Christ will reward those who endure and suffer for Him... Christ suffered willingly for us... So we should do the same...

Edit: If someone kills them self to save another like jumping on a grenade or jumping in front of a bullet and they are a true Christian... I will bet my whole faith on their entrance into heaven... Because they shared in Christ' love and death... They loved another more then them self...
 
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A

aries5

Guest
#3
i think it goes all the way back to freedom of choice...God didn't make us like puppets or robots but as human beings the freedom to make our own decisions even the freedom to serve him or not to serve him even the freedom to sin or chose not to sin so we all know right from wrong,we all was born with a sinful nature in us....so He's not going to make us do anything at all...ive always been taught that the only unforgivable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Ghost but i'm really not sure about suicide...if you can be forgiven for it or not only thing i can come up with is you have a choice before u commit suicide to do it or not to do it so after death there no more sacrifice for sin or forgiveness.....just a thought an my opinion
 
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woka

Guest
#4
I love how you have explained that should we feel the need to confess each time, it would mean that we loose our salvation temporarily before we then confess that sin. I have often tired to explain that committing suicide is not something that causes us to go to hell for all eternity because Jesus dies for ALL our sins. Can you imagine if you died naturally and forgot to confess that you had committed some other sin, would this then mean that you would go to hell?

Sin is sin to the Lord irrespective of what we have done, somehow the sin of killing ourselves or homosexuality seem to be bigger to some people that other sin's.

As you put it, if we need to make sure we are sinless when we die then really what did Jesus die for?
 

Bookends

Senior Member
Aug 28, 2012
4,225
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#5
A christian wouldn't commit suicide unless they were in dire straights due to some sort of mental incapacity and unable to make rational decisions (a mental condition).
 
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nathan3

Guest
#6
It's not written . It would be against the natural order of things so it would be bad.

But, from what I have read in the Bible I would say , that the lake of fire is not even in existance yet. And as far as them going there.

I believe God is more fair then man is. And He would take into account chemical imbalances or emotional problems, lifes circumstances and things of this nature . So its a judgment call I believe only God can decide .

Also they probably if they did not have a chance here, because of said problems above, that leaves open the big possibility they will be taught during the Christ return ( The 1,000 years, aka The Lord's Day, aka , The millennium Rev. 20 ).


But after death, the same happens to all, its written , that All return instantly to God in heaven. To either side of that divide in the meantime . 2 Corinthians 5:10
 
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Kreation

Senior Member
Sep 19, 2013
169
4
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#7
I love how you have explained that should we feel the need to confess each time, it would mean that we loose our salvation temporarily before we then confess that sin. I have often tired to explain that committing suicide is not something that causes us to go to hell for all eternity because Jesus dies for ALL our sins. Can you imagine if you died naturally and forgot to confess that you had committed some other sin, would this then mean that you would go to hell?

Sin is sin to the Lord irrespective of what we have done, somehow the sin of killing ourselves or homosexuality seem to be bigger to some people that other sin's.

As you put it, if we need to make sure we are sinless when we die then really what did Jesus die for?
beautifully said
 
R

Rickee

Guest
#8
If someone takes their own life, they will die lost....read what apostle Paul stated in I Corinthians 3 v 16 &17. We are the temple of God ( Converted Christians) Even the sinners were made by God as well...so same rule applies.
 
Nov 30, 2012
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#9
My answer to this is the same as Martin Luther's. Martin Luther was burying the body of a suicide on consecrated ground, when the local Monsignor came out and asked him what he was doing. Martin Luther asked, "If a man is walking down the road and is robbed and killed who is to blame?" The Monsignor answered, "The men that robbed and killed the man." Martin Luther responded, "Then why blame this innocent, when it is Satan that killed him."
 

Kreation

Senior Member
Sep 19, 2013
169
4
0
#10
My answer to this is the same as Martin Luther's. Martin Luther was burying the body of a suicide on consecrated ground, when the local Monsignor came out and asked him what he was doing. Martin Luther asked, "If a man is walking down the road and is robbed and killed who is to blame?" The Monsignor answered, "The men that robbed and killed the man." Martin Luther responded, "Then why blame this innocent, when it is Satan that killed him."

Very good quote!
 
G

GreenNnice

Guest
#11
This is not our call to make. We should pray for those who are considering this, and, the power of God is great .
God wants us to come to Him, believe in Him, because He sent His Son to die for us, that we might have life and have it abundantly. :)
 
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jahsoul

Guest
#12
My answer to this is the same as Martin Luther's. Martin Luther was burying the body of a suicide on consecrated ground, when the local Monsignor came out and asked him what he was doing. Martin Luther asked, "If a man is walking down the road and is robbed and killed who is to blame?" The Monsignor answered, "The men that robbed and killed the man." Martin Luther responded, "Then why blame this innocent, when it is Satan that killed him."
My only 2 questions regarding that is if Satan killed him, does that mean that Satan controlled his will (which in turn controls his action.)? If that was the case, where was the power of God in that whole ordeal?
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,097
6,479
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#13
I love how you have explained that should we feel the need to confess each time, it would mean that we loose our salvation temporarily before we then confess that sin. I have often tired to explain that committing suicide is not something that causes us to go to hell for all eternity because Jesus dies for ALL our sins. Can you imagine if you died naturally and forgot to confess that you had committed some other sin, would this then mean that you would go to hell?

Sin is sin to the Lord irrespective of what we have done, somehow the sin of killing ourselves or homosexuality seem to be bigger to some people that other sin's.

As you put it, if we need to make sure we are sinless when we die then really what did Jesus die for?
Just a thought here, but didn't Paul say he "died daily?" Does anyone believe he lost his salvation daily? A Christian who commits a sin of "omission" (unintentional sin) certainly should realize their mistake/sin, and "man up" and say......"Sorry Father, didn't mean that.......please forgive me........" Our Father is faithful complete.........He will not forsake us.....

The only problem arises with those who because of some theological ideology do not believe they have to repent (man up), or some who simply believe what they do is just fine and not a sin..........and they don't repent and ask God to forgive their slip. And before someone jumps in...........NO this is not crucifying Christ again and again........His precious blood IS ALREADY applied to the heart of the saved............I just can't imagine a Christian killing themselves.........it may well happen, I don't know, I just can't understand it............If their depression is so bad that they have lost all touch with the will to live, wouldn't this also mean they have probably lost all touch with Christ?

I would never pass judgment on someone like this.............so I have no answer of "yes" or "no."

I have seen this topic discussed on any number of Sites, and have yet to see an answer provided that seemed worthy of adopting........God bless........and if you know someone like this..........pray, PRAY, AND GO TO THEM AND PRAY WITH/OVER THEM.........help them.
 

jb

Senior Member
Feb 27, 2010
4,940
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#14
If a christian commits suicide, would they go to hell?
For someone (a non Christian) to be driven to suicide the burden upon them must be so overwhelming and for a Christian to be driven to it I would have thought that the burden was even greater due to their faith, I completely fail to see how God would send a Christian to Hell when His mercy endures forever! Psalm 136

In Psalm 136, the phrase "...His mercy endures forever" occurs 26 times, infact in every verse! So, this informs me, that even after death God's mercy is availabe to all, and also consider that His first Name in Exodus 34v5,6 is..."Merciful."

The idea that God would send a Christian to Hell forever because that person commited suicide is simply ludicrous! :p
 
J

jahsoul

Guest
#15
For someone (a non Christian) to be driven to suicide the burden upon them must be so overwhelming and for a Christian to be driven to it I would have thought that the burden was even greater due to their faith, I completely fail to see how God would send a Christian to Hell when His mercy endures forever! Psalm 136
But wouldn't that just totally crap on Philippians 4:6-7?
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,097
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#16
FYI:

Philippians
4



1 .) Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
2 .) I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
3 .) And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
4 .) Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 .) Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 .) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 .) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 .) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 .) Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
 
Sep 6, 2013
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#18
This goes back to whether or not a person can lose their salvation. If God's promise for us is everlasting, and our salvation is secure in his hands (and not ours), then nothing we do can separate us from him. Even suicide.

If you believe that people CAN lose their salvation due to sin, then this begs the question "What happens if I have unrepented sin at the moment of my death?" Woe to ALL who die in a moment of unrepented sin if this is the case, for all would fall from salvation.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the belief that we will go to hell if we commit suicide comes from the catholic teaching that we must be "absolved" for every sin or we will not be forgiven. Therefore, if one commits suicide, that is their last act on earth and there is no hope of them finding absolution or forgiveness. This is a false teaching. When we have Christ, we can be assured that His death on the cross paid for all of the sins we committed in the past, and all we will commit in the future. Our salvation isn't dependent on how WE act or what WE do, but on His grace and mercy for us. (Praise God for that!)

So my answer to the OP is no, suicide does not in itself lead to hell. But it IS wrong. We must trust the Lord in knowing how much we can handle. His grace is sufficient for us.

2 Cor 2:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ”
 
H

Harbinger

Guest
#19
everyday is a brand new day and if you cut us we all bleed the same red blood.
everyone born into this sinfull world who do not know the name of the 1 true God will cease to exist you must appriciate people and life because without a purpose there is no need to live forever. if u are murdered or commit suicide it does not matter your purpose is to find the true name of God and after searching for 15 years, I can finally share it
APOCALYPSE
if you dont believe then
grab a dicionary and look it up.
Light, Love, & Existence The Evangalines.
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,097
6,479
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#20
This goes back to whether or not a person can lose their salvation. If God's promise for us is everlasting, and our salvation is secure in his hands (and not ours), then nothing we do can separate us from him. Even suicide.

If you believe that people CAN lose their salvation due to sin, then this begs the question "What happens if I have unrepented sin at the moment of my death?" Woe to ALL who die in a moment of unrepented sin if this is the case, for all would fall from salvation.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the belief that we will go to hell if we commit suicide comes from the catholic teaching that we must be "absolved" for every sin or we will not be forgiven. Therefore, if one commits suicide, that is their last act on earth and there is no hope of them finding absolution or forgiveness. This is a false teaching. When we have Christ, we can be assured that His death on the cross paid for all of the sins we committed in the past, and all we will commit in the future. Our salvation isn't dependent on how WE act or what WE do, but on His grace and mercy for us. (Praise God for that!)

So my answer to the OP is no, suicide does not in itself lead to hell. But it IS wrong. We must trust the Lord in knowing how much we can handle. His grace is sufficient for us.

2 Cor 2:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ”
and then there is the predestinationist view............God willed them to commit suicide, so, no big deal........if He predestined them to Salvation, it doesn't matter what they do.........and if He predestined them to damnation, well, they were ONLY fulfilling His will by committing suicide.................

All I know is, EVERYONE seems to agree that suicide is WRONG.......so, it begs the question, are there things we do to Worship God, Praise God, Edify God and the Church that are wrong? If not, then how do we define "wrong?" Sin?

........just thoughts........dunno, as I said earlier, pray for these people who find themselves in such a state of confusion, sorrow, pain, whatever...........pray, PRAY.