A Moment With Pastor Fred

6/8/18

A question I get asked a lot is “Can a Christian commit suicide?” And my answer is “YES.”  No one is saying that taking one’s life isn’t a serious sin – it is. Some churches teach suicide is unforgiveable. This is unbiblical.  Let me ask this question – “Can a Christian sin?”  Of course they can and do.  John MacArthur has said, “Suicide is a grave sin … but it can be forgiven like any other sin.” No one is giving people a license to sin. We can never out-sin God’s grace but that doesn’t mean we are to live in disgrace.

Godly men in Scripture thought of ending their lives: Job, Moses, Elijah, Jeremiah and Jonah. You are not alone if you’ve had such thoughts. What should you do? See their doctor. 

Medicine is a common grace blessing. Talk to a godly believer. 

Don’t be ashamed.  Many like you have struggled – we all are broken. The gospel puts lives back together.

How important it is for us to listen to strugglers. As you listen don’t forget to pray!  People need friendships. Be compassion-ate too.  As George Whitefield said, “There go I but by the grace of God.”  Hopelessness prevails when one contemplates taking their life. Such need real hope. That hope is found only in Christ and all that he offers. Biblical hope isn’t wishful thinking. It is a confident expectation God will keep his promises. Biblical hope rests in God’s goodness, sovereignty and love. Such hope begins with salvation – but it must be renewed each day.