Suicide… does it disqualify one from heaven?
Jan 06
"Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit." Mark 3:28-30 Posted on a recent online discussion forum was this question, "Does suicide keep someone from going to heaven?" Over the years, I have heard this same question asked from time to time. Sadly, teachers of God's word often concentrate of the act of suicide instead of the final disposition of that poor soul in relationship to God their creator. The act of suicide, no matter the motive or method, only terminates the poor soul's life here. What suicide cannot accomplish is the eternal termination of that same soul and his or her accountability before the God who created him! A number of years ago, a dear shepherd of a small north Georgia fellowship discovered his own beloved son had terminated his life by a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Though the son was gone - the family was left to pick up the pieces of a life shattered by that young man's final act of desperation.
Love One Another
Jan 04
"But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another." (1 Thessalonians 4:9) The Christian life involves both individual accountability and interpersonal involvement. Each of us is individually responsible for maintaining the right sort of relationship to others, especially others in our Christian fellowship. A beautiful Greek word is "allelon", is often translated "one another." For example, we are commanded: "Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:32) Furthermore, we are to "be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility" (1 Peter 5:5), "in honour preferring one another." (Romans 12:10)
Our Great King is Coming!
Dec 31
"And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming." (1 John 2:28)
There are many glorious promises associated with the great promise that Christ Himself shall once again appear in person here on planet earth. For example, Paul says:
"When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory" (Colossians 3:4).
Similarly, the apostle Peter promises: "And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away" (1 Peter 5:4). The writer of Hebrews first reminds us of His former appearance on earth:
"But now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself" (Hebrews 9:26).
Proverbs and the Problem of Fools
Dec 30"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened." Romans 1:21
What are the practices of a fool?
A fool gets into arguments easily
"A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul." Proverbs 18:6-7
See also: Proverbs 20:3
A fool is always in the habit of stirring up strife - being more interested in starting arguments than avoiding them
A fool treats sin lightly
"It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom." Proverbs 10:23
See also: Proverbs 13:19; 14:9; Ecclesiastes 5:1
A characteristic of a fool is not interested in avoiding evil but instead, participating in its practices. He mocks goodness in order to enjoy evil.
A fool responds to seduction easily and quickly
"With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life." Proverbs 7:21-23
See also: Matthew 26:41
A fool, just as an ox who dumbly follows a narrow path to the slaughter house, dumbly follows after sin's temptations - not realizing death is right around the corner.
Proverbs and the Problem of Wisdom
Dec 23"The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; to know wisdom and instruction; to recognize the words of understanding; to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and uprightness; to give sense to the simple, knowledge and judgment to the young man; the wise hears and increases learning; and understanding ones get wisdom; to understand a proverb and its meaning; the words of the wise, and their acute sayings. The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:1-7
What is wisdom?
Wisdom is the attribute of God by which He creates, sustains and controls all things:
"The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew." Proverbs 3:19-20
See also: Proverbs 8:10-31
Everything we feel, see, act upon, experience and live out in this life is controlled by with wisdom of God. Wisdom also shows how foolish we are - and allows us to see what God expects from us.
English