Last night, before leaving work, I got a call, informing me that the son-in-law of church members had committed suicide. I spent a while at their house last night talking to them, crying with them, praying with them.
In that time, I thought of a lot of things about suicide. I know some groups believe that suicide is unforgivable. They view repentance as asking God to forgive you. They believe firmly that if you don't ask forgiveness for each individual sin, then God won't forgive it.
People sure think God is petty.
God is a God of love and mercy. Mercy isn't Him waiting for the chance to burn us, disappointed when we repent. God is understanding. This particular individual was in a car wreck that messed up his brain, a little more than a month ago. He was also on a medication that had a side effect of suicidal thoughts and actions. He told the doctor that he was having suicidal thoughts, and the doctor didn't do anything.
This man had a disease. He couldn't help it. God is merciful, and I have hope for him. I won't guarantee his salvation, because God knows this man's heart, but I have hope.
There are several people in the Bible who commit suicide. Famously, King Saul and Judas Iscariot killed themselves. They died in their wickedness. But two others are praised for their faith. Samson had faith and repented for the first time in his life, and destroyed the enemy temple and was killed with that act. The other was a servant of King Saul, who was so grieved that their God appointed king had taken his own life, he also took his own. Yet he is lifted up as an example of faithfulness.
So if you have a loved one who is depressed or suicidal, get them help. If you have a loved one that took their own life, please don't let ignorant people steal your hope away. Trust God. Love Him. Know that He is faithful, even when we aren't.
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