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Suicide is a heavy topic but a very real issue. Life can come at us so quickly and furiously that hopelessness can invade our hearts. Life can also get just downright boring and depressing and give us time to turn our focus upon ourselves such that we find it not worth it to live any longer. Anger at others, at God, at the world, at family, at friends, at coworkers, or just about anybody can make us try to send a message by doing the ultimate selfish act of suicide. The reality is that suicide rarely, if ever, accomplishes the purpose for which the person who commits the act intends. I mean, if people can’t get the message of desperation and need while the person is alive, why should their death get them to understand? If anything, they will get more confused and blame the person who committed suicide as the one who is at fault. What I am saying is that suicide is first selfish because it stems from self-first thoughts rather than grace-filled thoughts towards others. Second, simply from a pragmatic standpoint, suicide is pretty much an ineffective way to communicate. But most importantly, suicide is sin. The Bible is clear that we should not murder (Exodus 20:13). Suicide is self-murder, so it is clearly wrong. Suicide is an act of ultimate pride and defiance against God because it is a claim against His promise to meet our needs (Philippians 4:19) and to be perfect love (1 John 4:7-8). God does allow us to walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Though that term is a metaphor, it is not an accidental metaphor. The point is that life will involve some of the deepest, hardest, loneliest experiences one can imagine. But our hope is that God is there to comfort us and suffer with us (Psalm 23:4). God has allotted suffering for man, for through us the sufferings of Christ are completed (Colossians 1:24). I don’t understand the why behind that except that that is what God has ordained. For some reason there is intimacy with God in sharing the sufferings of Christ, as Paul did and as he knew (Philippians 3:10).

The question people always want to know is if suicide means losing their salvation. I don’t believe that we can lose our salvation because God is the author and finisher of faith (Hebrews 12:1-2). The blood of Christ is sufficient to forgive even the sin of self-murder. Should God’s grace move us to then want to sin because we can still get into heaven? It ought not to if we see God for Who He is. He wants to reward us for faithfulness (2 Corinthians 5:10), but such will require that we start thinking about living our lives for others rather than for ourselves. His glory ought to be our chief priority, and since God didn’t keep His own Son from us, we should want to give our everything in return until the day we die. Our days are in God’s hands, not ours, and we do wrong to end them prematurely.

I know this is a complex issue, but murder is murder. It is always wrong, no matter the specifics of a person’s situation. Suicide is not the answer, and I only pray and hope that those who are on the verge would take suicidal thoughts captive unto obedience to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). It doesn’t matter what others think, and some people’s minds just cannot be changed or their eyes opened. Such is casting pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6); it is a waste of time and effort. We must direct our thoughts and attention heavenward and live this life dedicated to our Savior. He will sort things out in the end and give to each person his or her due. But why rob ourselves of rewards? Why rob God of the chance to manifest His glory in and through His vessels? Such would be a great shame, for God made each person for a purpose (Ephesians 2:10). Even in suffering, we are servants with a purpose, fulfilling the suffering of Christ. Christ must get the glory and not us.

Suicide is not the answer, and it will never be the answer. The only answer is Jesus Himself, for in Him is fullness of joy and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11). People disappoint, circumstances are hard, and we will suffer, but Jesus is there with us to give us joy and perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3). We must set our minds upon Him.

"Today's Little Lift" from Jim Bullington

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