First things first… If you are contemplating suicide, please don’t do it! God loves you, and there is a purpose for you to continue. Call 988 to get some immediate help.
The Bible doesn’t have a whole lot to say specifically about suicide. There are several suicides recorded in the Bible (Jdg 9:54; 16:30; 1 Sam 31:4, 5; 2 Sam 17:23; 1 Ki 16:18; Matt 27:5). It is safe to say that suicide is a sin because murder is a sin. “You shall not murder” (Exod 20:13; Deut 5:17; Rom 13:9; Jms 2:11; 1 Pet 4:15). Suicide is, essentially, the murder of yourself.
I have a relative whose mother committed suicide when he was 12. Needless to say, it rocked his world in horrible ways. At the time he sought counsel from a clergy member who told him his mom was now in hell. This may sound outrageous and cruel. But, to be fair, that clergy person was committed to a tradition that believes suicide is a mortal sin. In their view, this is a sin that cuts a person off from salvation unless they seek specific acts of repentance through the church. The clergy member was merely being true to his beliefs. Perhaps he could have considered a softer way to address the pain of a 12-year-old boy at that moment.
I am persuaded differently than the person who spoke to my then 12-year-old relative. I would agree that suicide is a very serious sin. However, my question is whether Jesus’ death on the cross was sufficient to cover certain types of sins and not others. “Christ died for our sins” (1 Cor 15:3). The author of Hebrews speaks of Jesus offering Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. “…Through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption” (Heb 9:12). Jesus is viewed as a high priest who made a single sacrifice for our sins “…once for all when He offered up Himself” (Heb 7:27).
The apostle Peter wrote, “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust…” (1 Pet 3:18). There is a certain finality to what Jesus did on the cross. When a person places his or her faith in Jesus all the benefits of His single sacrifice are given to that person.
If a genuine believer were to commit suicide, this would not negate God’s grace. It is perplexing to consider how a true believer could do such a thing. Suicide is certainly not consistent with the way God calls a Christian to operate. Yet, we are all in a spiritual battle. Many Christians struggle with serious, crippling depression. Even the most spiritual among us battle feelings of hopelessness and despair at times. Tragically, some have lost the battle.
My point? Suicide, though sinful, is not unforgiveable. Once we have surrendered in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ, we are redeemed, forgiven, and born-again. God’s gracious forgiveness remains in place even for sins we have yet to commit. That’s how much God loves us.
Maybe you’re in a dark place right now. I don’t know how you have stumbled upon this short essay. Yet it is not an accident. You and I simply don’t know what may be around the corner. A lifechanging breakthrough may come tomorrow for all we know. I want to encourage you to hold on my friend. Let me leave you with a prayer you might say to God right now.
God, it all seems hopeless and empty right now. The pain seems too much for me. I see no joy, no future ahead. I have considered ending it all. Instead, I bundle all the despair I feel and lay it before You. I invite Your Son, Jesus, into this dark place. Please show me Your light. I choose to step toward You and away from this darkness. Help me God. I cry out to You. Help me please. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor George