And if a Christian wants to be able self-murder
and still have a reward in heaven, does this not frustrate the grace of God? As Christians, we are already under the redemption of the blood of Jesus Christ. We have been saved, therefore, from the curse of sin and death through his sacrifice.
In 1 Corinthians 15:22 we read,
“For as in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive.”
And in Galatians 2:21, we read,
“I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness comes by the law then Christ is
dead in vain.”
What is the Word of God telling us here? Perhaps that to try to attain redemption through the Law (in self-righteousness or through exertion of self-will) is to frustrate (hold back) the grace of God, and if a professing
Christian chooses self-will over the provision of God, he makes the sacrifice of Jesus meaningless. And when a person commits self-murder, they intentionally turn from the will of God to their own (albeit false) self-righteousness.
Certainly,
there can hardly be a more grievous sin, than in denying the priceless gift of the atoning blood of Jesus. To make his life and death meaningless, would be the ultimate act of arrogance, and certainly a sin against the Holy Spirit.
In this light, let
us consider the situation of Moses, who, when told by God to “speak” to the rock in the desert, to bring forth water for the people, was disobedient, and instead struck the rock, not once but twice.
It is significant that Moses was
angry and in this action said,
“Hear now, ye rebels; must we (Aaron and I) fetch you water out of this rock?” (Numbers 20:10)
In this bold statement, Moses makes HIMSELF the judge of the people, and expresses HIS OWN authority in
the rebellious act of smiting the rock, not just once, but twice. He also puts himself in the role of God as provider, not with grace, but with judgement. This is a picture of a human (Moses) misusing the gift of God’s grace through an action of
the human will, rather than asking to receive it, as God had instructed him.
There is a warning here to any who feel that it is their proper role to pronounce judgement against themselves or others, especially those of the household of faith.
The consequences for usurping the authority of God and misappropriating his blessings are illustrated in Numbers 20:12, where God says, “Because you believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore shall ye not bring this
congregation into the land which I have promised them.”
In other words, as a consequence of his unbelief, Moses was denied entry into the Promised Land. How does this relate to how God might judge suicide? Let us consider the rest of the
story.
In this passage (Numbers 20:10) the meaning of the word “rock” can also be translated as God’s fortress, or shelter. (Please see Strong’s Concordance H5553.) In 1 Corinthians 10:4 the Rock of Moses is explained to
be a picture of Christ. “And they did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.”
So the picture is that Jesus is our refuge, our hiding place in times of trouble—our
salvation. This refuge is not something that we deserve, nor can we accomplish for ourselves. It is a profound example of the infinite love of God for humanity.
Consider John 3:16,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten
Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
We, as Christians, know that we have not, nor can we ever earn salvation, and it is wrong for us to assume a stance of anger or judgement to any whom we feel may
not be pleasing to God (including ourselves), or a stance of discouragement or fear that the Lord will not be faithful to his promise to sustain us. An attitude of compassion and forgiveness is necessary for learning to take place. Human beings can learn from
their mistakes, given the fact of God’s grace and mercy.
Because salvation is an underserved gift, the only way, it seems, to be excluded from this gift would be to willfully choose to reject it. It seems that suicide is a particularly dangerous
idea because of it is a person’s final act. So it is particularly dangerous for any Christian to take such an action, based on an attitude of judging God’s times and purposes, whether this is out of anger, fear or despair. Suicide therefore can
be recognized to be a willful usurpation of power that belongs in God’s hands, and a denial of the gift of salvation by grace.
THE CHRISTIAN SACRIFICE
In these present days, we witness some simultaneously commit suicide
and murder of others in service of Allah. We witness others setting their bodies ablaze in protest of perceived wrongs of governments. What does the Creator of all life expect from those in the household of faith? In Romans 12:1-2, Paul writes,
“I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a LIVING SACRIFICE (my emphasis), holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be you not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by
the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and perfect, will of God.
So, the acceptable sacrifice of the Christian is to live a life dedicated to God, to lay down that life in daily service to God, to live for Him, out of love,
gratitude and obedience, and certainly not to commit self-murder. It is to live a life devoted to the glorification of God, the daily subjugation of the self, and therefore certainly not ever desirous of God’s position or authority. This was beautifully--
and perfectly-- accomplished by our Lord Jesus in his life on earth. It is important to remember daily the heavenly provision of grace.
SATAN’S GOALS, TECHNIQUES AND OUR SPIRITUAL DEFENSE
Perhaps the attitude of Satan
is best defined in John 8:44 in the words of Jesus Christ:
“You are of your father, the Devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in
him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. ”
The Adversary accomplishes murder through lies and manipulation. He appeals to human resentments, selfishness and fear, constantly attempting to manipulate
us into serving his evil agenda, rather than serving God. Satan wants only death for humanity and the destruction of God’s creation. It seems that suicide of a Christian would particularly delight him, as it enlists our cooperation in the
denial of Jesus’ power to save us.
When a Christian is engaged in spiritual warfare and contending with the specific question of suicide, in strengthening their belief in the salvation of Jesus Christ he or she can mightily be protected.
In Romans 8:28, we are assured,
“We know that all things work together for those that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.”
When a person’s faith is challenged, the prayer to God to help our unbelief is
probably the most important weapon in our arsenal. In Mark 9: 23 and 24, we read the story of a Jesus casting a demon out of a child:
And Jesus said unto him, if you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes. And straightaway the
father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe: help thou my unbelief.
And this demon was cast out, this demon that had thrown the child into the fire and into the water many times, trying to kill that child--a demon of suicide.
Let us know examine a question that some Christians have asked. Does the promise of salvation and mercy extend to those who would take their own lives? Ultimately, that is something for God to judge. Let each of us therefore to seek God’s
guidance in all things. Let each of us remember the gracious gift of salvation, and continually seek God’s perfect will and not our own limited human understanding, bearing in mind the story of Satan tempting our Lord Jesus in Mathew 4:5-7. “Then
the devil took him up into the holy city, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning you; and in their hands they shall bear you up,
lest at any time you dash your foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him: It is written, again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”
Here we have exactly the same temptation set before Jesus. Notice How Satan uses scripture and
also subtly tries to entice Jesus into an attitude of pride in the God’s promise of protection. Jesus’s response clearly puts this promised protection in the context of obedience to God’s will, by responding with the appropriate word (from
Deuteronomy 6:16). Notice how the Jesus made use of scripture to refute the temptation. Knowledge of scripture is a strong defense against the treacherous manipulation of the devil.
EARTHLY REWARDS VS HEAVENLY REWARDS
“For
He hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. So that you might boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do to me.” (Hebrews 13:6)
Sadly, many Christians mistake this promise to mean that, unlike Jesus, they
will not tested in their faith or be required to demonstrate obedience in difficult circumstances. This subtle trick of the adversary leaves people wide open to attack, for when they suffer in this life, they then come to the conclusion that God has failed
them. Thus, we must be aware that any of us can be deceived through a lack of knowledge.
THE FATHER OF LIES AND THE FIRST MURDERER
Let us now study the first lie, written of in Genesis 3. First, it should be noted that the serpent
is described as being “subtle”. (Genesis 3:1) How might we understand subtlety, in the context of a lie? Perhaps it is an attack that, in this case, is not obvious, which is intended to draw a person into a state of confusion, and that which
is intended to trick or confuse. It is the insinuation of an idea, but not openly. Thus, the subtle serpent inquires of Eve in Genesis 3:1, “Yea, hath God said, ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?”
Now, the serpent knew very
well what God said. This question was not asked for the purpose of understanding God’s law, but to treacherously imply that perhaps God was a liar. This kind of insinuation took advantage of the naïve and innocent woman, who did not hear of
forbidden fruit directly, but through her husband. The bible tells us in Genesis 2:16 -17 that when God told Adam the “rules”, Eve had not yet been created. So, one can infer that Eve was most likely was relying on what Adam had told her. (The
vulnerability of people who rely on the understanding of others cannot be emphasized enough!)
This shows how the institution of marriage is the structure that was formed by God to protect us, and the serpent, knowing this, did not approach Adam directly,
neither did he approach the couple together. He artfully contrived instead to get between Adam and Eve, and to speak to Eve when she was alone, making easy work for himself in tricking her, and then a similarly easy work of entrapping Adam, whose vulnerability
was his love for Eve.
Now, one has to note here that many will be offended by this description, in that many these days have a spirit of resentment against God’s laws and the structures of authority that are built into human relationships.
In Genesis 2:18 we read that God made the woman to be a helper to the man. This is not in the least bit degrading to the woman, as the Marxist/feminists would have us believe. Rather, it is simply one example of the interdependence and balance in relationships,
found everywhere throughout creation. To deny that there is an order to creation is simply to live in delusion. Does anyone deny the obvious fact that animals and plants have an order to them? Does the carrot eat the rabbit? Even the Darwinians must
acknowledge the natural order. It is something to resent, for example, that the planets have relationships and defined paths around the sun, or that the electrons spin around the nucleus of an atom? Can any earthly creature rebel against the physical
requirements to eat, or to drink, or to sleep—and expect to long survive?
Just as a woman relies on her husband for provision and protection, the man relies upon his wife for tenderness and understanding. These qualities are neither superior nor
inferior, but complimentary. Likewise, the children are dependent upon their parents for sustenance and guidance. Thus we can see how the in Marxist attacks on the family much has been done to isolate individuals from the natural safety that God built into
the relationships of the family. The destruction of the Creator’s protective structure of the family has been brought about insidiously, secretly and deliberately; the subsequent moral and spiritual decay was the means to an end (divide and conquer)
and an end in itself, for the perversion and destruction of the created image and likeness of God within humanity is the underlying intent motivating every action of the devil.
One thing we can remember from the serpent’s treachery in the Garden
of Eden was how he contrived to tempt Eve when she was ALONE. These days, many people have been isolated from the safety and protection of the family, and so have been made extremely vulnerable to the manipulation of the evil one. This is one of the most significant
factors when considering how people are increasingly vulnerable to suicide.
PRIDE, REBELLION AND ENVY
In this study we now must address, also, the societal magnification of the sins of pride, rebellion and envy. When considering
the issue of suicide, on the surface it can seem like a problem of low self-esteem, rather than pride. One has to be willing to look into this deeply, to understand it fully.
In Ezekiel 28:13-19 we read of the arrogance and pride of Lucifer. We
can understand that the desire to usurp God’s authority is rooted in pride. This is the corruption that was found in Lucifer, causing him to be cast out of his previous position. Lucifer did not want to honor God’s creation of mankind, and
in fact he envied humanity, thus wishing to destroy what he could not ever have. He wanted praise and power only for himself. He resented God’s authority, and felt that he should be as god. So, in pride he did not submit to God’s authority,
and in arrogance, he made war against his own Creator. Not only did he thus fall, but he enticed a multitude of other angelic beings to also rebel against God’s order, and to fall with him.
What might be some of the ways that humans were
created in God’s likeness that angels were not? One is the gift of procreation. Another, less obvious human quality that is created in God’s likeness is the ability to empathize and to show compassion. This attribute does not appear in scripture
in the attributes of the angels. While there certainly is much that we don’t know about angels, when we witness the envious and destructive attacks upon the human heart, one can infer that this attribute of compassion is also envied, at least by
the fallen angels.
Angels do have superiority to humans in their intellect, and immortality, and power. So then we can see exactly how and where the fallen ones specifically attack humanity, seeking to corrupt and destroy all human life-- from
angels leaving their first estate and impregnating human females, to modern day genetic engineering and transhumanism; from cultivating narcissism in our youth to tempting men and women to resent and betray one another. Ultimately, Satan and the other
fallen angels misuse their intelligence, immortality and power to corrupt and murder all of humanity. First, they manipulate and pervert our sexuality and our ability to reproduce, interfering with and tampering with the human DNA. Secondly, they manipulate
and corrupt our hearts, tempting us to pity ourselves, envy others, and resentfully rebel against God. Thus Satan seeks to re-create humanity in his own ugly image, leading us to share in his condemnation.
The unwillingness to be obedient and
to conform oneself to the structures and order of God can then be recognized as the seed of all sin. Whether it is a mighty cherub in heaven who aspires to overthrow God, who resents the requirement of obedience, or whether it is men and women who do
not wish to be constrained within the structure of marriage and the boundaries of their gender as ordained by the Creator, or even if it is children who have essentially been imbued with narcissism by the corporate State-- it all ultimately amounts to the
same thing: pride and rebellion.
The father of lies hates all that is godly and beautiful, and he seeks to corrupt and destroy all life. In particular, he seeks to nullify all of God’s promises, including the promise of salvation. Throughout the
world, the structures of marriage and the family, as well as all other created moral boundaries have been systemically attacked though law and policy, propaganda, and in the educational system. Thus we have arrived in a day when women murder their own children,
promiscuity, betrayal and sexual perversions such as homosexuality, bestiality, sadism, masochism, necrophilia, pedophilia, and transgender mutilation are celebrated. Scientists bring humanity to the brink of extinction out of arrogance and an inability to
submit to any boundary of ethics or morality. Transhumanists, in the pursuit of eternal life instead create abominations, and ultimately, the destruction of the human soul. One is reminded of that first lie of the serpent in Genesis 3:4, 5
“You
shall not surely die; For God doth know that in the day you eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”
This brings in the issue of rebellion. Consider as an example, the young child who doesn’t
want to wash his hands before supper, and insists he shouldn’t have to. Why, he cries? And the frustrated mother, who has sought to explain until her face turns blue, finally exclaims “Because I said so!” The child responds “You’re
just being mean!” The child doesn’t know why the parent has this rule. But given time, the child will grow to understand.
In the Garden of Eden, Satan interfered in the maturation process of humanity with his envious and murderous lies.
And these subtle lies were intended to confuse, to manipulate, to distort, and to blame God for the very intentions that Satan himself actually had. It is Satan that wants to deceive and kill us, and in the beginning he deviously enlisted our cooperation
to those ends. For what was the eating of the forbidden fruit, but a sort of suicide? Indeed, there is nothing new under the sun! (Ecclesiastes 1:9)
THE ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS THAT FOSTER SUICIDE IN THE HUMAN MIND
“And
if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
(Joshua 24:15)
When contemplating the human mental processes in suicide, one can see some relationships to the serpent’s lies in the Garden of Eden so long ago. First, the enemy introduces leading questions, such as “Why should I have to
endure this or that suffering? What is the purpose of it? Maybe God is being unfair, to require this of me. Or, why do I not have the things I think I should have? Why is God expecting me to endure humiliation, or rejection, or ill health, or poverty?
Or, I don’t understand, therefore, I shouldn’t have to obey.” This kind of thinking is evidence of the subtle lies and manipulative ploys of Satan insinuated subtly into the human mind.
However, in comparing modern day Christian’s
contemplation of suicide to the fall of our first parents in the garden, there is one crucial difference. Adam and Eve were naïve. They had no experience of sin or death, and they did not have the example of Jesus to follow.
We,
as modern day Christians, have access to the divine Word and to the example of Jesus faithful obedience. We not only have an understanding of sin and death, but we should have an understanding of God’s righteous authority and His eternal love.
We also have access to his word and are blessed with the Holy Spirit. As followers of Jesus, we cannot claim to be naïve in this respect. And if our first parents, who WERE naïve, were sentenced to death for the sin of disobedience, what
then would be a probable outcome for willful, fully knowledgeable disobedience?
CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE AND THE HUMAN WILL
Let’s now consider the story of our Lord Jesus, in Mathew 26:38-44 as he prayed in the garden of Gethsemane,
just prior to his arrest, torture and murder. He was alone, his friends having fallen asleep. He pleads with God three times that the cup of death might not be required of him. His prayer was this:
“Father, if thou be willing, remove
this cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done.”
In other words, even Jesus, who was perfect, the only begotten Son of God, even he had to wrestle at times to bring himself into submission to God’s requirement. One
is horrified by what might have been the fate of all humanity if Jesus had NOT been willing to subjugate himself to God’s will, or if in his despair he had taken his own life in order to escape the pain and humiliation of the torture and death on the
cross. Can any honest person say that it doesn’t matter, the manner of Jesus’ death? And if not, can anyone say that our manner of death is irrelevant?
And if Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, was required in God’s infinite
wisdom to humble himself—to be obedient unto death, and faithful in all things-- how can we, as Christian’s, ever please God if we refuse submit ourselves to His perfect will? Shall we decide what it is fitting for the Creator to require
of us? And if we do, what are we then saying about His grace? Can a person rebel against God’s will without cutting one’s soul off from such grace?
SATANIC DOCTRINES OF DECEPTION
At this point, it is perhaps useful
to consider the modern concept of “moral relativism”. Basically, this concept means that truth is relative, that each individual has their own truth, and that there is no such thing as Truth in the spiritual sense, that one man’s meat is
another man’s poison, as it were.
The danger in this concept is that it denies the legitimate and beautiful order of God, and it creates a mentality of “anything goes.” So, Satanists say that the pursuit of one’s own will and
pleasure is the highest law.
The assertion that suicide only harms the individual concerned- and even that harm is considered to be questionable-- obviously lacks depth. Spend a few moments with the families left behind, and then assert that suicide
isn’t harmful to others. If there are children involved, the legacy of cowardice and death is a might force for a generational curse. Even modern psychiatry has to acknowledge the greatly increased risk of suicide in those who had a family member
that killed themselves.
In this highly willful and conscious action, one is taking control away from God and putting that control in one’s own hands. The action of self-murder seems to assume that God’s promises are obligations to us, rather
than the rewards for obedience. The consequences of self-murder may not be easily apparent, for example, in the case of the person who despairs at the oncoming one-world government and all the horrors soon to be brought upon Christians as prophesied in the
word of God. Why not commit suicide, to prevent the Beast System from delighting in atrocities against God’s people?
Why, indeed. Well, suicide would hardly be a testimony of faith, now would it? Rather, it would be the exact opposite, a
testimony of the power of the adversary to get us to consciously step away from God’s provision of grace. Satan, once again, manipulates God’s created beings to willingly participate in their own destruction. Suicide is the ultimate act of
selfishness, for it has no regard for the pain and disillusionment of those left behind. It does not inspire others to faith, or to act with courage, or to praise God. It speaks of the defeat of love, order and reason, and then exalts the devil,
who we might envision declaring brazenly, “You and your God conquer nothing, but in this action give this Evil One the victory.”
One could even contend that this enticing of a Christian to self-murder would be the PREFERRED blood-sacrifice,
in Satan’s opinion. The evil one must find particular delight when a person of God is turns to service to the father of lies and murder. In John 8:44 Jesus says,
“You are of your father, the devil, and the lusts of your father you
will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”
THE ARMOR OF GOD AND VICTORIOUS SPIRITUAL
WARFARE
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. (Mathew 7:7)
God provides
much perfect counsel regarding how to protect ourselves from suicide, and other spiritual attacks. Let us consider Ephesians 6:10-18.
Vs.10: Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (Strength comes from God through
Jesus.)
Vs. 11: Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Make a conscious decision to arm yourself against expected attacks).
Vs. 12: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Understand who your enemy is, for he surely knows all about you! Know the tactics of subtle lies and emotional manipulation.)
Vs. 13: Wherefore
take unto you the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Follow the counsel from God’s Word, until death, thereby to live forever with Jesus.)
Vs. 14: Stand therefore, with your loins
girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness (protection of sexuality and the heart come through consciously choosing to follow God’s righteous commandments-- through obedience.)
Vs. 15: And your feet shod with the preparation
of the gospel of peace (Righteous actions will be guided and protected in study of God’s word, and in sharing the gift of the gospel.)
Vs. 16: Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the
wicked (Through belief in God’s promises and in the redemption purchased for us by Jesus Christ, no one and nothing can truly harm you.)
Vs. 17: And take the helmet of salvation (the belief in Jesus, that he died for our sins, and that he was raised
from the dead-- this is what protects the believer’s mind) and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (biblical knowledge and application of it in one’s life is our weapon of victory against lies and manipulations of the adversary.)
Vs. 18: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit personal (relationship with God through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit), and watching thereunto with all perseverance (vigilance as to the times and events in the world without giving
up will inform the faithful as to any possible dangers) and supplication for all saints (prayer for the household of faith will strengthen your connections in the Church and build social support-- being human, we have need of this also.)
THE
CHOICE
While we, as believers, have been offered the most loving and marvelous gift of salvation though Jesus Christ, let’s not be dishonest with ourselves about what is at stake. In 2 Peter 1: 9, 10 we read,
“But he that
lacks these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and has forgotten that he was purged from the old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, you shall never fall.”
Each of us must be sober and vigilant in making our calling and election sure. To grieve the Holy Spirit; to call God a liar; to commit murder; to rebel against God; to make the salvation of Jesus Christ meaningless—these are some of the ways
that a Christian, in the act of suicide, would step away from God’s loving provision and away from Jesus. Suicide is a choice.
For the Christian believer, this choice to self-murder ultimately means nothing less than to be eternally damned,
having made a final decision to step away from Divine grace and love, and into Hell: knowingly, willfully and permanently.
THE GATES OF HEAVEN
Let’s consider Jesus’ promise to Peter, in Mathew 16:18-19 he promised
that the gates of Hell would not prevail against the true followers of Jesus. Many are familiar these days with this promise, given all the current efforts of the powers that be to open the gates of Hell. But in verse 19, Jesus went even further. He
said:
“And I will give unto you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever you shall loose upon earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Now, that’s a pretty strong
statement about the meaning of victorious spiritual warfare, is it not? And in Isaiah 60:18, we read:
“Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates
Praise.”
Over and over again, in scripture, there is a spiritual prescription for pride, envy, self-pity and fear. This prescription is gratitude and praise. In Ephesians 5:19-20, we read,
“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns
and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
And further, in 2 Corinthians 6:10 we read,
“As sorrowful,
but always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing and yet possessing all things.”
So our best protection is salvation through God’s precious gift of his only begotten Son, and the key that opens the gates of God’s
kingdom is praise. When we, as Christians, realize the profound gift of salvation, and fill our hearts with gratitude for this incredible gift; when we praise God in everything, even our tribulations; if we remain steadfast in our Earthly walk, laying all
of our concerns and difficulties at the Savior’s feet, we properly use our will to bind ourselves to the Eternal God with our belief in Jesus, and therefore the heavenly gates of Divine grace are opened. This is not something others can do for us, but
it is given to us, if we choose obedience and faith. In Revelations 2:7 Jesus tells us:
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches: to him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst
of the paradise of God.”
So how could we as Christians ever allow any small and temporary thing; any foolish pride or selfish desire; any fear or sorrow; any pain or humiliation; any self-pity or resentment; any temptation or lie-- to separate
us from the perfect and eternal love of God, who has provided for our emancipation from the horrors of sin and death? Indeed, whenever the Adversary insinuates doubt, prayer for our faith to be increased will surely be answered abundantly!
HOPE
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Psalms
23:4
Anyone with common sense knows that the promise of God to protect and save us does not necessarily mean our physical safety is guaranteed. It is about our salvation, the safety of our souls. Some of us may be tortured unto death; this is nothing
new. This is an awful thing to contemplate, indeed. How can we endure such a thing? It is a sobering question to consider, but a necessary one.
In 1 Peter 4: 12 and 13 we read,
“Beloved, think it not strange the fiery trial which
is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy.”
One can find comfort in contemplation
of the experience of Stephen, as recounted in Acts 7:59-60:
“And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice: Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.
And when he said this, he fell asleep.”
In 1 Corinthians 10:13 we are reassured,
“There hath no temptation taken you but such that is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that
you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
Such would be the presence and merciful intervention of the power of Jesus, for those who call upon him and for those who diligently follow
the path of forgiveness. No matter how we feel that we have been injured in this world, let us remember that none of us are without sin, and that all of us are in need of God’s mercy. In Romans 3:23 we read,
“For all have sinned, and fall
short of the glory of God.”
Jesus told us that our sins would be forgiven if we are willing to forgive others for wrongs done to us. In Matthew 6:14-15 we read,
“If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly father will also forgive
you. But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
No matter what we might think we have lost in this life, be it position or financial strength or family or health or the esteem of men-- God will
never forsake us. Jesus promised his people, in Mathew 28:20,
“…Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”
Therefore, the true Christian must pause and reflect carefully on how suicide might be willfully
forsaking Jesus. We must remember each and every promise of the Creator, who so lovingly has provided a covering for our sin, a gracious gift of compassion that humbles the human heart. When frightened, bewildered by the evils of this world, when sorrowful,
or lonely, or discouraged, let us consider the words of our Master, Jesus Christ. In John 16:33 Jesus lovingly assured us,
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In this world you shall have tribulation:
but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
Author’s note: I sincerely apologize for the errors that were initially in this article. I have done my best to correct these errors, as well as to clarify the very real eternal consequences
of suicide.
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