Disrespect For Human Life
Our society has justified abortion and mercy killing till killing seems justifiable at times. If you can kill an unborn baby because it isn’t wanted or will have an “inferior quality of life,” why not kill any human from birth to death for the same reasons? If you are miserable, inferior, handicapped, seriously ill, why not take your own life?
Humanists and other people who defend abortion and mercy killing often defend suicide. Humanists believe:
“The right to … abortion and divorce should be recognized … the individual must experience a full range of civil liberties … This includes … a recognition of an individual’s right to die with dignity, euthanasia, and the right to suicide” – Humanist Manifestos, p. 18,19.
Humanism is the most influential philosophy underlying the education of young people. No wonder young people think suicide is a good alternative. The predominate philosophy behind their training believes it is a “right”!
What About Pet Euthanasia
Pet euthanasia differs greatly from human euthanasia. While God gives humans the hope of living forever, this is not the case for animals. Although the Bible condemns treating animals cruelly, it does give men authority over animals lives. Since God expects us to care for animals mercifully, it is a pet owners responsibility to decide on the most humane way to treat an animal, which may include choosing death for one that is suffering.Proverbs 12:10.
^ par. 1 Euthanasia, or mercy killing, is defined as killing someone who is very sick or injured in order to prevent any more suffering. When a doctor helps a patient to end his life, this is called physician-assisted suicide.
Is There Hope For Unbelievers Who Commit Suicide To Have Life After Death
Having considered the potential future for believers who die by suicide, what about those who do not believe in God;who die in this manner? Is there any hope for them to be brought back to life again? Yes, there is.
Suicide is shocking and has a terribly traumatic effect upon those who survive. Because that is the case, some view suicide as an unforgivable sin. But it is not a worse sin than others. Countless people die without repenting of the many sins they have committed in their lifetime. What happens after we dieincluding someone who takes his or her lifeif we have not;repented of our sins?
The typical assumption that most Bible-believing people make about the afterlife is that there are only two possible options: that one goes immediately to either heaven or hell upon death. In fact, the Bible nowhere teaches that heaven is the reward of the saved or that an ever-burning hell is the destiny of the condemned. The truth is that God has not finished working with most people who have lived and died. Being the epitome of fairness, He would in no way condemn someone who died without ever having understood Gods plan of salvation.
God has not yet done this with most people who have ever lived.
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You Are Always Your Biggest Problem
A persons own folly leads to their ruin, yet their heart rages against the LORD. -Proverbs 19:3
So what does the Bible say about personal responsibility?
Throughout the Bible, the real problem was not the Philistines, Egyptians, Syrians, or Romans. It was not the Red Sea, the lack of water, or the absence of food for the people. Nothing could hinder Gods purpose for his people other than the people themselves.
Israel was Israels real problem. God split the Red Sea, rained down manna and quail, provided water from a rock, and gave them a land they did not plant and cities they did not build. And despite all of these saving acts of God that proved he has the power to overcome any obstacle for his people, the people lost faith.
The people were the peoples problem. God is and was full of power to do anything he wishes, but the peoples lack of faith in him cut themselves off from the flow of blessing and protection.
Heres a doctrine people dont like but its one we must understand if we are to find any relief in life: Every problem stemming from sin is completely our own fault. If you have issues with anger, unforgiveness, lust, gossip, gluttony, depression, idolatry, homosexuality, disrespect, or any other sin, you alone are to blame.
Taking personal responsibility means we rightly place blame where it belongs in our own lives. And the Bible says that the only people we should blame when we sin is ourselves.
Withholding Treatment: A Morally Relevant Distinction
Advocates would insist that there is no relevant difference between euthanasia or PAS and withholding life-saving treatment from a dying individual. They claim that since withholding medical treatment can be permissible, euthanasia or PAS must also be permissible, because ;the end result, the death of a person, is the same in either situation. Therefore, there must be no difference between any of these actions. This, however, is simply not the case.
Allowing to die involves withholding treatment without an intent to cause death. This is a form of beneficence, or preventing harm to a person. Examples might include removing a ventilator from a grandmother with no hope of recovery, or choosing to refrain from potentially fruitless chemotherapy. The authors of Always to Care, Never to Kill explain it like this: It is permitted to refuse or withhold medical treatment in accepting death while we continue to care for the dying. It is never permitted . . . to take any action that is aimed at the death of ourselves or others.
God commands, You must not murder . Jesus also commands us, love your neighbor as yourself . Allowing someone to die by withholding treatment may combine these two sentiments, because the intention is to care for a person in the best way possible, rather than to cause death. The morally relevant distinction between euthanasia or PAS and allowing someone to die involves intention and benevolent care.
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Putting Off The Old And Putting On The New
22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
In the first verses of Ephesians chapter 2, Paul described the unbeliever as being subject to the world, the flesh, and the devil. In most instances, the devil exercises control over lost men by means of the external pressure of the world and corresponding internal inclinations of the flesh. In Ephesians 4:17-19 Paul has instructed the Christian to turn from the corrupting influences of the world in which we live . Now, in verses 22-24, Paul turns to the subject of our flesh, urging us to put off the old man and to put on the new.
I understand Paul to refer to the flesh as our old self, or as the marginal note in the NASB indicates, our old man. In Romans chapter 8 this old self would be synonymous with the mind set on the flesh . The new self would be our new inner man , the mind set on the Spirit .
Paul persists in emphasizing the continuity between our conversion to Christ and our conduct in Christ, which should be evident in our manner of life.
6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, .
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H God Gives Freedom From Guilt
What if a person has not been serving God and others? Often people are driven to despair by a sense of guilt and remorse over a life wasted living in sin. Once again, God has the solution.
Psalm 51:1-3,7-10 – David was in despair because of his adultery with Bathshebaand having her husband murdered. This kind of guilt and remorse leads many to commitsuicide. But David found the answer: we can be cleansed of our burden of guilt. Our sorrow can be turned into the joy of forgiveness.
Luke 15:13-24 – The prodigal son lost his inheritance in sin and wasteful living. He was reduced to feeding hogs and would have eaten the hog slop. Many turn to suicide when they bear the guilt of living in sin and remorse for having lost wealth. But the prodigal repented and returned to his father, where he was received with rejoicing!
Romans 5:6-9 – Forgiveness is possible because Jesus died to bear our punishment.
Hebrews 7:25 – Jesus is able to save to the uttermost, so our sins are remembered no more . They will no longer be held against us nor eternally condemn us.
No one needs to live with a burden of guilt, let alone consider suicide. God wants to forgive your sins and relieve your guilt.
What Can Christians Do To Help
For those struggling with suicidal thoughts, there is hope and help. Christians can help by listening and supporting someone who opens up about depression and thoughts of self-harm. Pray with them, and then continue to pray for them. Help them seek out solutions, and let God use you to be a blessing. If the source of someones troubles are financial, find ways to assist. Perhaps there are marital problems leading to suicidal thoughts. Help the couple find a good marriage counselor, or a trusted minister who can guide them through the difficulties of a contentious divorce.;
Something important to keep in mind is that depression and thoughts of suicide can be the by-product of a physical issue. For example, women struggling with postpartum depression often are physically not making serotonin, and are – to put it in simplistic terms – chemically unable to feel a certain amount of energy and happiness. Others living with clinical depression may also have suicidal thoughts or feelings.;
Encourage someone who expresses suicidal tendencies to go to a doctor; there are medical treatments that have helped people get back to a place where they can begin to put their lives in order again. The medicine can be a tool in a more complete plan towards healing. Spiritual support, good doctors, and professional counselling are all available to the individual struggling with suicidal thoughts, no matter the source of those thoughts.
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-273-8255;
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Is Suicide A Sin Will A Christian Go To Heaven If They Commit Suicide
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.”
Recognizing The Warning Signs Of Suicide
The following signs may mean someone is at risk for suicide. The risk of suicide is greater if a behavior is new or has increased and if it seems related to a painful event, loss, or change. All threats or talk of suicide should be taken seriously. If you or someone you know exhibits any of these signs, seek help as soon as possible.
- Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves
- Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun
- Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
- Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
- Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Withdrawing or isolating themselves
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
- Extreme mood swings
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Two: God Loves You And Wants To Help
When Elijah despaired of his life and prayed, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life , God provided the physical, spiritual, and emotional sustenance he needed to go on. When Jeremiah said, Cursed be the day I was born! , God sustained his prophet.
Scripture promises: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit . Paul, who faced almost indescribable challenges , could proclaim, I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us .
Jesus knows your pain. He has faced everything we face . He cried from the cross, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? . Now he is ready to help you.
However, let me repeat that one of the most important ways the Great Physician heals is through human physicians. Thats why you need to reach out to professional counselors as soon as possible. God will use them as he ministers his grace to you.
Will People Who Commit Suicide Have A Chance At Salvation
The Bible records some examples of people committing suicide. While we find no commentary with these incidences, its covered in principle in the Sixth Commandment. Suicide is an act of murder.
While there can be no doubt that taking ones life is wrong, suicide is often a complex matter. Perhaps others are quick to judge and condemn people who take their own lives. But we should avoid the tendency to oversimplify this tragic type of death. Individuals who commit suicide often have been struggling with serious problems, such as depression, alcoholism or other forms of drug abuse. Taking ones life isnt the right way to deal with any trial, but the people who do are likely not thinking clearly.
If you are reading this;and contemplating taking your own lifeplease contact the suicide helpline at 1-800-273-8255. God’s desire is for you to live.Request Free Booklet
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How To Biblically Deal With Work Issues
We have the huge responsibility of caring for and stewarding Godâs creation through our jobs. As you know, living in a fallen world isnât always easy. Weâre bound to deal with work issues in almost every job we have. The verses below give us guidance on dealing with issues, calling us to be humble and ask God for wisdom when problems arise.
Ephesians 5:11
Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
Romans 12:18
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
And to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.
Iii God’s Solution To The Problem Of Suicide
God’s word not only teaches that suicide is wrong, it also gives us reason to live and helps us handle the problems that otherwise lead people to want to end their lives. It not only tells about evil people who committed suicide, it also tells about people who faced terrible problems but, instead of committing suicide, endured those problems through the help of God.
Consider the blessings God provides to help us deal with problems and some Bible examples of people who used God’s help and so avoided what often leads people to commit suicide:
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One: Social Distancing Can Be Reframed As An Opportunity For Spiritual Growth
Jesus prayed alone at the beginning of his day and at its end . He agonized in solitary prayer before his arrest and crucifixion . Times of isolation became opportunities for worship as he sought the strength of his Father.
Praying, fasting, reading Scripture, and meditating on the word and works of God are gifts we give ourselves in solitude. And they position us to experience the joy and peace of the Lord .
When last did you make significant time to be with your Father for no reason except to be with your Father? When next will you?