Today, topics are forgiveness and suicide. Many feel that, where acts of suicide are driven by depression or emotional and psychological vulnerability, compassion should be shown to the deceased. Yet, those who kill themselves often are acting in haste to condemn everyone in their own lives and all who are around themselves. Killing oneself can not be labeled as acceptable, or a godly act of courage and maturity. Suicide emerges by operations of the flesh and of sin; and self-murder is never the product of the divine Spirit. Given its eternal purpose and benefits, Jesus dying on the cross should never be spoken of as an act of suicide and self-destruction. A new writer in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum who uses the ID “Callum” (Level 1 with 90 points, a member since November 29, 2017) posted the following:
Does god forgive suicide?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him. So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together. (1st Samuel 31: 4-6, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Separate Yet Not Alone (06/28/2017); Transformed by The Cross (03/23/2016); Denying Oneself (05/17/2014); Suffering for Suicide? (12/12/2012); The Price of Humanity? (12/13/2012); Divine Self-Sacrifice? (09/30/2012); Justice Comes by Love? (10/01/2012)
“Callum”, because forgiveness is an expression of the character and makeup of divinity, many Christian believers regard forgiveness as a matter of “who GOD is,” of divine grace, of divine love, of His divine prerogative, and of His sovereign will, not a matter of who we are, whether or not we ask for forgiveness, whether or not we confess our faults, and what may have been the particular sin and specific wrongdoing a sinner has committed.
Among Christians, “suicide” is ending ones own life, and the act of self-murder does not bring glory, honor, redemption or rest, for suicide denies that we are accountable to others who value our lives and rely on us, and that we may permanently damage them as well as ourselves (e.g., children, community, parents, spouse). Killing oneself presumes upon the Creator, for a suicide (one who commit’s the act) transgresses sacred law by acting without divine permission (in effect, they steal divine authority and privilege from the owner and source of all that exists and has life).
The operations of sin are suicidal, for they oppose the continued existence of all divine law, the Law Giver, and divine order throughout the entire universe. The person who chooses suicide usurps and unlawfully condemns all the living; their self-condemnation is an act of exaggerated pride wherein they take the place of GOD in judgment. Also, for those who commit suicide, there can be no discovery and realization of their error that might properly trigger the expression of godly sorrow for sin. Any sacrifice for atonement can not be followed by a “life of repentance” where there is growth in commitment, trust, and understanding. Christians are to consider the following from the Bible:
(1.) 2nd Corinthians 7: 9-11, King James Version (KJV): 9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
(2.) Ezekiel 18: 20-23, KJV: 20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. 21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. 23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?
(3.) Romans 6: 3-6, KJV: 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
(4.) Psalms 116: 3-13, KJV: 3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. 4 Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. 5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful. 6 The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me. 7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee. 8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. 9 I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living. 10 I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted: 11 I said in my haste, All men are liars. 12 What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me? 13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and made a part of our own spirit makeup. (For example, (5.) Hebrews 6: 4-8, KJV: 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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