INS:What happens if I commit suicide  by Tony Capoccia

   The following questions were asked by a caller concerning the
subject of suicide. First, let me give an answer to each and then a
more thorough explanation.

   Ques #1: Will God forgive us for suicide?

   Answer: Yes, but only if we are Christians before the suicide.

   Ques #2: Can we be forgiven for a sin if we ask before we commit the
sin?

   Answer: No.

   Ques #3: Do you think we can go to Heaven if we take our own life?

   Answer: Yes, but only if we were Christians. Your questions are
valid, especially for this age when suicide is on the rise. First, we
must bear in mind that suicide is simply self-inflicted murder, usually
premeditated. Believers can commit murder. Moses and King David
illustrate that (Exo. 2:11- 13, 2 Sam. 11:14-27). Christians can commit
any sin of which the heart is capable.

   A person is saved by the grace of God when they repent, believe and
submit to the Lordship of Christ. These acts are generated solely by
the will of God and not by man's own efforts (Eph. 2:8-9). Before the
earth was even formed God determined who would be redeemed and who
would remain lost. Man cannot change God's sovereign choice (see BBB
file SECURITY.TXT). Every Christian was steeped in sin when God saved
them (Rom. 5:8) and the committing of any sin after salvation cannot
remove the Holy Spirit's seal on our souls.

   One's eternal life depends on God's grace and Christ's redemptive
work, not a person's last act before death. Suicide is not an
unpardonable sin. There is no question that if a Christian would commit
suicide that they would go to Heaven. In fact, when the moment of death
comes they are carried into the presence of God and He will not even
mention any of their sins! (Luke 16:22, Hebrews 8:12).

   Asking for forgiveness prior to a sin is a separate sin in itself,
for it is "treading underfeet the very Blood of Jesus." God sets a
person free from the bondage of sin when they are saved and they
therefore do not have to sin. The unbeliever is still a slave to sin
and cannot keep from sinning.

   God the Father loved us so much that He truly gave His Precious Son
Jesus Christ to die in our place. He does not simply give us salvation
and then leave us alone to despair, rather He sends His sweet Holy
Spirit to guide and protect us. All we need to do is to respond to His
leading. A Christian must read God's Word regularly, pray daily and
fellowship with other Believers, even if we "don't feel like it" for
God uses His Word, our prayers and other Christians to form us into His
likeness.

   In closing, I submit that no one, not a Christian or an unbeliever
can determine their moment of death. We have as much control over the
moment of our death as we had over the time of our birth--none!! God
reminds us that, "He determined the times set for them [man's birth and
death]" (Acts 17:26). If a person tries to kill himself and it is not
God's chosen moment then that person will not succeed. However, their
quality of life remaining may be diminished because of the injuries
inflicted.

   Satan is the father of lies and a murderer from the beginning (John
8:44). He wants to convince Christians that they have failed so
miserably in their Christian life that there is no hope left, and they
should end it all. He is trying to disgrace the Name of Jesus and
remove another potential Christian witness from the world. But God
chose the elect and made them His children and counts each one
precious. No matter how a Christian dies God declares, "Precious in His
sight is the death of His saints" (Psalm 116:15).

   Tony Capoccia BIBLE BULLETIN BOARD