“He gave His life to free us from every kind of sin…” (Titus 2:14a NLT)
When a loved one or friend takes their own life, our hearts and minds fill with questions. Yesterday we looked at “Am I to blame?” and today we’ll look at: “Will my loved one be in heaven?” While this may seem like an evasive answer, the truth is – God alone knows with certainty. This centuries-old debate continues today, but the bottom line is, God alone knows the eternal destiny of EVERY person who dies, by whatever means.
We often judge another person on the basis of outward evidences, but God alone knows a person’s heart. What does that mean? It means I can have an opinion that someone is going to heaven or hell, but the reality is, only God knows for sure.
Anyone can do something that may seem completely out of character for them, yet when it becomes known, it could give a wrong impression of what’s actually the intent of their heart – i.e. they commit suicide.
Suffice it to say at this point, that what is in the heart of a person who takes their own life, while a mystery to us, is perfectly clear to God. God alone can determine why they did what they did and He alone decides where they will spend eternity. Suicide, in my understanding of Biblical teaching, will not be the determining factor as to whether or not a person goes to heaven.
If you’ve lost a loved one or friend to suicide or are considering taking your own life, please seek help from a competent Christian counselor or trusted Christ-following friend, but more importantly, seek the Lord directly. When I first came to Jesus I was ignorant of the Bible and knew nothing about prayer. I sat an empty chair across from me and imagined Jesus was sitting in it. I just talked to Him about whatever was on my mind. At times I would kneel, as though kneeling at my Savior’s feet. Pour your heart out to Jesus. No one knows how you feel better than Jesus.
Now that I’ve walked with Him for many years, I sense His closeness nearly every second. I’ve learned to discern His voice and receive His guidance in every avenue of my life, realizing His “voice” often speaks most clearly through the Bible, godly friends, authors, pastors and teachers.
May I assure you, there’s nothing you’ve ever done or said for which He won’t forgive you and He will NEVER stop loving you. Often the biggest issue we face is a matter of focus.
Consider the words of this old hymn: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of this world will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” (Helen Howarth Lemmel) Turn your focus upon Jesus and give Him permission to bring the healing He desires to bring to you.
He loves you! He’s with you! He’s for you! He’s reaching out to you in your desperation and wants to walk with you to a full and satisfying life in Him. Please let Him. I can tell you based on my own experience, as well as the experience of many others, there’s nothing this world can offer that compares with having Jesus as your best friend.
Blessings, Ed
Walking With Jesus 