What do you believe, and what do you base this on?
In this thread I'd like to explore fellow Christians ideas on what happens to people who commit suicide.
Do they go to heaven or not? Can we know? Are there any bible passages that are relevant to this?
As this can be a very personal and emotional topic for some people, I ask that posters to this thread exercise grace and consideration in what they post.
My story:
I had been out of the country for about a year, and was browsing one of the national news websites, when I saw a headline about someone committing suicide in my hometown. Thus person had jumped over a railing in the national museum, falling about four stories in the atrium, and killing himself. There were no personal details given in the story, but somehow I just knew it was a friend of mine, Mark*. I emailed a mutual friend, and my fears were confirmed. Mark had killed himself.
Mark was my friend - really he befriended me. He was loud, cheerful, smart (very good at chess), and a great evangelist - he had a real gift and passion for approaching, befriending and winning those on the fringes of society. Mark was the kind of guy that would greet you in McDonalds with a "Praise the LORD, brother" loud enough to turn heads. Embarrassing, but he didn't care what others thought about his love for Jesus. Mark also had mental health issues, mainly struggling with depression.
In the year or so since I'd been away, I hadn't had any contact with Mark, so I don't know where he was 'at' with God when he killed himself. But I hope to see him 'up there' one day, and get the biggest hug ever from my friend. He taught me a lot about not being ashamed of being a Christian.
* not his real name.
In this thread I'd like to explore fellow Christians ideas on what happens to people who commit suicide.
Do they go to heaven or not? Can we know? Are there any bible passages that are relevant to this?
As this can be a very personal and emotional topic for some people, I ask that posters to this thread exercise grace and consideration in what they post.
My story:
I had been out of the country for about a year, and was browsing one of the national news websites, when I saw a headline about someone committing suicide in my hometown. Thus person had jumped over a railing in the national museum, falling about four stories in the atrium, and killing himself. There were no personal details given in the story, but somehow I just knew it was a friend of mine, Mark*. I emailed a mutual friend, and my fears were confirmed. Mark had killed himself.
Mark was my friend - really he befriended me. He was loud, cheerful, smart (very good at chess), and a great evangelist - he had a real gift and passion for approaching, befriending and winning those on the fringes of society. Mark was the kind of guy that would greet you in McDonalds with a "Praise the LORD, brother" loud enough to turn heads. Embarrassing, but he didn't care what others thought about his love for Jesus. Mark also had mental health issues, mainly struggling with depression.
In the year or so since I'd been away, I hadn't had any contact with Mark, so I don't know where he was 'at' with God when he killed himself. But I hope to see him 'up there' one day, and get the biggest hug ever from my friend. He taught me a lot about not being ashamed of being a Christian.
* not his real name.
Comment