Don't Be So Sure

     For ages, certain Christians across the world have believed those who kill themselves go directly to Hell. After committing suicide, these people thought, a person would have no time to repent and ask for forgiveness following such a potent sin as murder. Having a friend and fellow brother in Christ commit such an act and take his own life a few years ago has enticed me into researching this theory as well as various opinions regarding suicide. Ergo, I sought out the most knowledgeable man I know in regards to the Christian faith. He told me one thing I knew, that there were no black and white answers here. What caught my interest, moreover, was his point on God’s grace.
     Despite the doubting of many of my friends and loved ones, he told me my deceased friend who happened to hang himself very well might be with the Lord. Sure, that too could be a no-brainer because nobody on Earth really knows for sure. But sin is sin, he told me. And people are committing sins countless times each day, yet don’t ask for forgiveness for each individual sin. Human beings are so imperfect that such an act would be too difficult to do. People also die without asking for forgiveness immediately before death. For example, if a Christian who loves the Lord happens to swear or tragically falls to adultery and then dies of a heart attack twenty minutes later without asking for forgiveness, how is that any different? He or she may have been a believer, but did not repent before death. The same could be said of a suicide victim. This is where God’s grace comes in.
     God understands our hearts. He knows we sin daily and stray off the narrow path. He knows we love him but continue to struggle with the devil’s temptation. Yet he does not stop loving us. Why can’t that grace he extends to us while we are alive and well also be extended to a person who died but could not repent. God is merciful. Our omnipotent Father can show mercy to someone who made a poor decision, but was unable to repent later. Therefore, God’s mercy can trump the simple fact that a suicide victim did not have time to repent. Some of the most “spiritual” people I know slip all of the time. Suicide is one of those slips. It too, can be an action under the grace of God. I have heard a number of people tell me my friend went to Hell. I just don’t want to hear that. I’m not saying I know where he is, but nobody has enough prestige and credibility to say he’s with the devil. I believe he might very well be with the big man above.