Upwards Church

Let me just give you some stats and then tell you some stuff from my personal perspective.

In the U.S each year, about one million people attempt suicide. Tragically, about one in fifteen succeed. That number of attempts has doubled in the last 10 years. There’s a lot of hurting people.

I just want to say first of all, is that I’m going to try to answer this, and I want to do it as compassionately as I can, because there are many of you who have experienced loss, someone that you love. My heart breaks for you. Some of you may be at a place where you feel like the world is so dark, you’ve actually thought about that maybe in the past, or even contemplated recently of taking your own life.

As a pastor, to officiate at one funeral of a suicide is too many. I’ve attended or officiated at too many.  Each time, it’s the most gut-wrenching thing you could ever imagine. So, it’s with an understanding of what many of you have experienced that I will try to answer this question.

Some Biblical examples, just in case you want to research kind of what happened in the Bible. There’s several; Judges, Chapter 9, shows one time when a guy named Abimelech asked his armor bearer to kill him. That would probably qualify as suicide. Saul, in the Old Testament, when he was mortally wounded, fell on his own sword. Again, that probably would qualify as suicide. In the New Testament, Judas, after he betrayed Christ, went out and took his life, unable to handle what he did.

What happens to someone when they commit suicide eternally? While the Bible doesn’t say directly, here’s what happens. Those who say unquestionably, if someone commits suicide they go to hell, they’ll often use 1 John 3:15, the Bible says:

Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.

They’ll say taking your own life is obviously murder, so therefore you will not go to heaven. It’s interesting though, if you think about Samson, you may remember in the Old Testament you can read about him. He took his own life, admittedly trying to take out the enemy, the Philistines. But, he’s listed in the chapter of faith, Hebrews Chapter 11; implying most likely, that even though he did take his life he would spend eternity in heaven.

Here’s my take. Romans, Chapter 5:1 says this:

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.

I see only one sin in the Bible which is unforgivable. That is the unpardonable sin, the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31), which is an ongoing un-repentance.  I believe that is a different sin than taking your own life. I do believe that taking your life is unquestionably a sin, it’s also one of the most selfish things that you can do. It is my hope that just as all other sin is forgivable, that this one is as well. It is my guess that a Christian who takes his life can be forgiven. But, I say that with more caution than you could ever imagine; because I beg you, never, ever use that as a justification or to rationalize a decision as such. I would never risk my eternal destination based on a dark moment. I believe there are people who can be under severe demonic attack, demonic oppression, maybe they are chemically imbalanced, maybe they are at a very dark place and in a moment of panic and sheer fear of thinking life will never, ever get better; they make a sinful, a stupid and a selfish decision. It is my hope that God has grace through His Son, and I believe He does, to forgive them. But I will tell you, if you ever contemplate suicide, it is never the answer. You will leave a wake of more pain than you can possibly comprehend. There is always hope.

If you are considering this, I want you to tell somebody today. Call the suicide hotline 24/7 the number is 1-800-273-8255.  I want you to tell Christ, I want you to call on Him. There is always help in Christ, there is always healing in Christ, there is always forgiveness in Christ, there is always love in Christ. Call on Christ, call on His people and let them comfort you in this time.

For more about the series, Things that Make You Go Hmm, go to www.RidgeFellowship.com

Here are some Bible verses to consider:

“Ask the animals, and they will teach you…In God’s hand is the life of every creature, and the breath of all mankind.” (Job 12:7 and10)

King Solomon writes,

Ecclesiastes 3:19: “After all, the same fate awaits human beings and animals alike. One dies just like the other. They are the same kind of creature.

Ecclesiastes 3:21: “How can anyone be sure that the human spirit goes upward while an animal’s spirit goes down into the ground?”

Best selling author and pastor Rick Warren was asked,  Do dogs go to heaven?

Said Warren,

“Absolutely yes. I can’t imagine God not allowing my dog into heaven.  Cats, too, Warren added. “Why not.”

People miss heaven because of their rebellion against God’s offer of love, by rejecting Jesus. But dogs, which have no ability to sin nor moral conscience, do not have an ability to reject Jesus.

It is the same principle as a baby, young child or mentally challenged individual. The Bible calls them “safe,” not “saved.” In Proverbs we read, “The Lord preserves the simple,” which includes persons without the ability, capacity or moral conscience to reject Jesus.”

In the book HEAVEN IS FOR REAL by Todd Burpo, now an international best seller, where a child who visited Heaven in a near death experience tells of his seeing Jesus and other things in Heaven.   One of the things was his Father’s Grandfather and his dog.

I think that pets will be in heaven. I have no compelling reasons from the bible to not believe that.  What do you think?  For more reading on the subject check out the following:

http://www.cbn.com/700club/ScottRoss/Commentary/animals_souls.aspx

http://looklistenthink.wordpress.com/2011/01/26/do-dogs-go-to-heaven/

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/Religion/post/2012/04/rick-warren-dogs-cats-heaven-jesus/1#.UFIXY7JlRcQ

http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2011/12/do-animals-go-to-heaven/

Special thanks to Dr. Lewis Alexander for finding the above articles.

Darrell

For more about the series, “Things that make you go hmm’ go to www.RidgeFellowship.com

About the future or heaven, Scripture says:

Isaiah 11:6-9

⁶ The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat,

the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.

⁷ The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together,

and the lion will eat straw like the ox.

⁸ The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper’s nest.

⁹ They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,  NIV

The bible describes various animals living in harmony with each other and with people.

Revelation also mentions riders on horses coming from heaven. There are horses in heaven and animals in the new world.

To me, all this confirms that there are animals in heaven and they are at peace in heaven.

To me personally, I think, earth which was created in six days and has millions of amazing animals! Why would heaven, the home of God and eternal dwelling place for all believers not have even more amazing animal life?  Is earth better? No way!  “Eye has not seen or hear has heard and mind has not conceived what God has prepared for those that love him”  1 Corinthians 2:9

For more on the subject check out…

http://www.cbn.com/700club/ScottRoss/Commentary/animals_souls.aspx

http://looklistenthink.wordpress.com/2011/01/26/do-dogs-go-to-heaven/

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/Religion/post/2012/04/rick-warren-dogs-cats-heaven-jesus/1#.UFIXY7JlRcQ

http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2011/12/do-animals-go-to-heaven/

Special thanks to Dr. Lewis Alexander for finding the above articles.

Darrell

For more about the series, “Things that make you go hmm’ go to www.RidgeFellowship.com

There are some who would say, ‘birth control is wrong.’  Catholics lean this way.  There are others who would say, “God gave you a brain, you can think for yourself; why would that even be an issue?’ It can be very controversial.

Those who say that you should never use birth control, one of the arguments from the Bible they use, is Genesis 1:28, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.”  Have kids, and lots of them!  Dr Walter Martin the original “Bible Answer Man” radio show host says, “Today the numbers have increased, the earth IS full, birth control is acceptable.”  I think that’s valid.

Another verse is Psalm 127:3 says:

Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.

Other versions and verses will say, “Children are a blessing from God.” The typical American family has about 2 kids, why is that?

Many people, me included have chosen not to have more blessings for the two most common reasons;

1. We can’t afford it. 2. We don’t have time.  If I am honest with myself, these are self-centered and selfish excuses.  To say, “We don’t have enough money,” says either we love the material blessings of this world more, or we’re bad stewards, or we don’t have faith in God to provide. And to say we don’t have enough time, means our time is more important than family time.  We currently have three children and are praying about adopting a fourth, but these two reasons still are real in our minds.

So, do I believe that birth control is a sin for a believer? There is nothing in the Bible that says that, so I cannot say that it is.   But, I do believe is that our culture’s approach is often wrong. “Well everybody does it, so we are going to do it and here’s what we are going to do!” This often happens without prayer, and without seeking God. And if there is any area in your life that you should pray and seek God, it is in the area of God’s blessings of new life.

I think birth control without seeking God is leaving the giver of life out of the equation and is not wise. If there is a verse in the Bible that implies that human choice is definitely a factor in child births its John 1:12-13.

God gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

This verse could imply that there are times that it’s a husband’s decision, or it’s the couple’s decision together to have kids or not have kids.

But the verse’s real meaning is that we can become the children of God through our faith in Jesus Christ. That’s God’s decision! It’s a great decision.  Have you made the decision to be a child of God by admitting you are a sinner, asking Christ to forgive you and be your savior and Lord? It’s the best decision you’ll ever make.

Darrell

http://www.Upwards.Church