Ep.747: Does God Forgive Suicide?
Suicide, understanding its causes and effects
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Theme Scripture: Psalms 38:4
Life is difficult – it is full of trials, tragedies and trauma. Sometimes it overflows with grief and pain. For most of us, there is an ebb and flow to all of this and we work at coping with and learning from these difficulties. For others however, the pressure of the pain and grief never seem to relent and they begin to despair of life itself. Sadly, some bring that despair to its fruition and end their own lives. Suicide – it is a serious issue that plagues humanity. What drives people to this final decision? How can we better understand it to help those in need? Does God forgive suicide?
A student enrolled in our college committed suicide on Friday, Feb. 8 (yes, two weeks ago.) I know this sounds strange, but as a christian, it ‘appears’ that the college along with the faculty are ‘promoting suicide.’ Let me explain. First off, the faculty were ‘ridiculous’ acting with one instructor crying for days and her discussion of the girl was as if the girl was the most wonderful person on the face of the earth. Then several faculty members along with students and the girl’s friends planned a memorial service by contacting a local funeral home and reserving a space, unbeknownst to the girl’s parents who lived in Illinois. The girl attended college here in North Carolina. The parents did not find out about the memorial until just before they arrived on Tuesday, Feb. 12th, after a 10-hour drive to retrieve their daughter’s body and possessions. The parents asked the faculty (who spoke at the girl’s memorial) along with the students and friends to “put this in the past and go forward.’ They stressed this several times. But their request was to no avail. The faculty and students planned another memorial at the college on Feb. 19th with balloons, a social,etc all in honor of the girl. Now, again, it continues with the faculty and students organizing cards, letters and doing a scrapbook. My concern is the positive support on behalf of the girl’s suicide and agreement to do so by a state instituion of higher education. But more importantly, numerous students are questioning why the support of the college, is the the college’s view of suicide positive and accepting and will there be more suicide’s seeing that the young girl is ‘immortalized’ by the college as they continue to worship her and her life with these memorials. Maybe I could somewhat understand if the young girl were a straight “A” student, college president, Phi Beta Kappi, yada, yada, yada. But she liked to ‘party and drink’ and enjoyed life. I’m confused and fear the reprecussions of this by other students. Can you give advice?
Thank you very much for writing. We can only imagine the grief that this girl’s parents feel. We also sympathize with the students and faculty for putting together a memorial for her. Even though she was troubled, they saw fit to remember the positive aspects of her life. By so doing they were attempting to bring some kind of positive closure to her tragic end. Your concern is that they may have overdone their memorializing to the point where some other students, who might be considering suicide as an option to put an end to their problems, will proceed to make it a reality. We, of course, hope and pray that these students will instead see the futility of this girl’s action and choose life rather than death.
When we look into the Scriptures we encounter a God who has an incredible plan of redemption for all humankind. Jesus died and paid the ransom price once for all. Therefore, God has a place for everyone in either his heavenly or earthly kingdoms, regardless of his or her conduct in this present life. “This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given at its proper time. (1 Timothy 2:3-6) This scripture tells us that Jesus came to provide a ransom for Adam and all his progeny. Some, who are following Jesus and sacrificing their wills, will receive a heavenly reward. All others who have ever lived will be awakened on earth from the sleep of death to a period of judgment, or decision, in which they will have an opportunity to willingly follow God’s laws of righteousness and perfect their characters. (See Isaiah 11:1-9; 35:5-10; 9:6-7; 65:21-25, Jeremiah 31:34, and Revelation 11:15; 21:1-4.)
Therefore, even a person who committed suicide will be awakened from the sleep of death without the mental, emotional and physical problems he or she had in this present evil day unto a period of judgment where he will have the opportunity for everlasting life on earth under the best of conditions. After the judgment period, “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation 21:4) This is the culmination of the wonderful plan of God. This is the real hope that the girl who committed suicide has.
Will there be repercussions by other students contemplating suicide? We do not know. What we do know is that even if they do commit suicide, they are not eternally lost, but will have an opportunity in the future kingdom on earth for everlasting life. We hope this thought is consoling. You asked us for advice. We would be happy to send you the booklet, “Comfort and Consolation” free of cost. It explains God grand plan and also offers hope for those who are grieving. If you think this booklet might be beneficial to others, we will send you more copies.
We hope we have been of some help to you. Sincerely, Christian Questions Radio