David Daniel
Not too long ago, i was lost in thought and I realised that one of the issues I spent the most time pondering on was whether Christians who commit suicide will make it to heaven or hell. A few days later, my immediate younger sister chatted me up to tell me that my youngest sister (my other sister) asked her the same question.
Whether it was a mere coincidence or not, I suddenly felt the need to write on the issue, hoping that it may be of help to others faced with the same question. I for one strongly believes that a Believer who has matured (I.e., grown in their dependence on God) in their walk with God will never chose suicide as a way out no matter the difficulty they might be facing.
The World Health Organisation noted that, across the world one person takes their life every 40 seconds, and that Nigeria has the highest suicide rate in Africa. Majority of these cases have been found to result from financial or Marital issues. Back to the crux of the matter, whether a christian who commits suicide will make it to heaven or hell is clearly answered for us in Scripture.
I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life. - John 5:24
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one. - John 10:28-30
From john 10:28, The protection of our salvation is both in Christ’s hand and his Father’s because both are one. And though a saint may wander, lose joy and comfort, fall in the face of trials and temptations, it is Christ’s responsibility to seek him out and bring him home.
Also, Will it be eternal life if we could do or not do something at any point in time to lose it? But if anyone should presume to live carelessly because of this divine grace, it is obvious that such a one is not one of Christ’s sheep.
So in essence, the question whether a christian who commits suicide goes to heaven or hell is really a question of whether a Christian can lose his salvation or not.
In conclusion, it is possible that a Christian, may under tragic circumstances lose his/her way and in the midst of their turmoil and confusion commit suicide. But If truly, they have believed in the person of Christ and what he accomplished for his Elect on the cross, they will be received home by our father in heaven.
I pray that anyone reading this who has either lost a loved one to suicide or felt/is feeling suicidal will find peace and comfort in the truth of God’s word.