Do people who commit suicide go to heaven

Watch the video above and talk about it with a group or mentor. Learn more.

Suicide is a final and tragic sin that a person commits against themselves and God. Is it unforgivable?

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicide right now, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. The call is free and confidential.

Suicide is a sensitive topic. Whether you know someone who committed suicide, attempted suicide, or have had thoughts about it yourself, the question that remains is: “Does a person who commits suicide go to heaven?”

Christ’s Blood Covers All Sin

The Bible does say that if a person has a genuine, true relationship with God, and they believe in Jesus’s finished work on the cross, regardless of any sin they may commit, they go to heaven. Suicide is self-murder, which we are told is a sin. We are also told, however, that if a person asks for forgiveness, they will be forgiven.

Romans 8:38-39 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

A person who killed themselves by their own hand cannot separate themselves from the love of Christ if they are living in the love of Christ.

We Are Called to Live by Faith

There are people, even believers, who genuinely struggle with sadness and depression. However, we are called to live by faith, not our feelings.

Galatians 2:20 (NIV) I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The live I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

This includes meeting with other Christians. When we’re sad, there is a temptation to isolate ourselves because it seems easier than being vulnerable. Despite that, God calls us to mourn together.

Romans 12:15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.

It might feel like life isn’t worth living, especially if you’ve separated yourself from other Christians. However, Jesus calls us out of our isolation and into a life of fellowship and love among other believers (Hebrews 10:24-25).

Suicide Is Not the Unforgivable Sin

Suicide is not an unforgivable sin in itself. The true question is if the person who commits suicide is saved and truly knows Christ. We cannot answer this, but we can make every effort to be intentional with our brothers and sisters in Christ. If you know someone is suffering, comfort them in any way that you can. If you are suffering, talk to other Christians about what you are feeling so they can help you the way that you need.

Talk About It

  1. What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. Why are you interested in this topic?
  3. Read Romans 8:38-39. Do you think any sin can separate someone from the love of God? Explain.
  4. Read Galatians 6:1-4. “If you’re not practicing the ‘one-anothers’ of scripture, you’re going to be filled with despair.” Do you agree? Explain.
  5. Write a personal action step based on this conversation.

Do people who commit suicide go to heaven

Video Q & A

Do people who commit suicide go to heaven

The following is a transcribed Video Q&A, so the text may not read like an edited article would. Scroll to the bottom to view this video in its entirety.

"The question really is, can a person who has been forgiven of their sins, who has been received by God through the mercy and the merits of Jesus ... can that person do something to be unforgiven? Can they somehow lose their standing before God? That's the real question: Can we lose our salvation?

The answer to that is no. Can a Christian, one who's been born again by the mercy of God, commit suicide and go to Heaven? The answer is yes because our standing before God is not based on how well we perform. It isn't based upon our own obedience, but the obedience of Jesus.

Now, some people would suggest that a person who really is born again, who has experienced God's grace, who really has faith, that person wouldn't commit suicide. Some people reason that way. Well, a true Christian would never commit murder or would never commit suicide, which is essentially what suicide is. But I don't think you can give a fair reading of scripture without seeing men who know God, who have been the recipients of his converting grace, who have then committed horrible acts, who have done the wrong thing, who have committed murder or who have done things that we would say, "Wow, Christians aren't supposed to do that."

So a Christian who unfortunately, who tragically, in the midst of confusion and despair and loses their way, they may commit suicide, but if they know Christ ... if they've been justified ... they're received by their father."

For further reading, please see the following articles:

What Does the Bible Say About Suicide?
 Will I Still Go to Heaven if I Commit Suicide?
Why There is Hope in Christ Even for the Suicidal

Photo Credit: Unsplash/DariaTumanova

This content first appeared on Crosswalk.com and is used here with permission. To view the original visit: https://www.crosswalk.com/video/video-q-a/do-christians-who-commit-suicide-still-go-to-heaven.html

How do you pray for someone who has committed suicide?

God of all mercy, From whose love nothing can separate us, we pray this day for all persons dealing with mental illness and those who love and care for them. Especially this day, we pray for all whose lives have been touched by suicide, for those who have died by suicide and those who have attempted it.

How do you get into heaven?

You enter heaven by forgiveness and through the righteousness that Jesus gives you. You do not enter into heaven by the Christian life. It's always true that where faith is birthed, works will follow, but salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

Does everyone go to heaven in Christianity?

There is a prevailing though that all you have to do is be born, and then die, and you will be admitted to into paradise. A popular Christian pastor and author declared a few years back that love wins in the end, and that no one actually goes to hell. We all get into heaven.

How does it feel losing someone to suicide?

Feelings you might experience when you lose someone to suicide include intense sadness, shock, anger, frustration, confusion and isolation.