is it really painless?

From Chosen by God by R.C. Sproul:

"We are able to persevere only because God works within us, within our free wills. And because God is at work in us, we are certain to persevere. The decrees of God concerning election are immutable. They do not change, because He does not change. All whom He justifies He glorifies. None of the elect has ever been lost."

Perseverance: Recently tragedy struck my community and we suffered the loss of a young precious soul. Here follows are information from the Internet about this matter. This sadness has brought everyone to their knees. That included me. But somehow I was driven to look for answers to my own personal questions. I have included here articles and comments that have given me a certain measure of comfort and hope.

The song goes...

"Cause suicide is painless,
It brings on many changes,
And I can take or leave it if I please..."
("Suicide Is Painless" is a song written by Johnny Mandel (music) and Mike Altman (lyrics), which is best known for being featured as the theme song for both the movie and TV series M*A*S*H)

(www.gotquestions.org/suicide-Bible-Christian.html)
Question: "What is the Christian view of suicide? What does the Bible say about suicide?"

Answer: According to the Bible, whether a person commits suicide is not what determines whether he or she gains entrance into heaven. If an unsaved person commits suicide, he or she has done nothing but "expedite" his or her journey to the lake of fire. However, the person who committed suicide will ultimately be in hell for rejecting salvation through Christ, not because he or she committed suicide. The Bible mentions six specific people who committed suicide: Abimelech (Judges 9:54), Saul (1 Samuel 31:4), Saul's armor-bearer (1 Samuel 31:4-6), Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:23), Zimri (1 Kings 16:18), and Judas (Matthew 27:5). Five of them were wicked, evil, sinful men (not enough is said regarding Saul's armor-bearer to make a judgment as to his character). Some consider Samson an instance of suicide (Judges 16:26-31), but Samson's goal was to kill the Philistines, not himself. The Bible views suicide as equal to murder, which is what it is—self-murder. God is the one who is to decide when and how a person should die. To take that power into your own hands, according to the Bible, is blasphemy against God.

What does the Bible say about a Christian who commits suicide? What it does not say is that a Christian who commits suicide will lose salvation and go to hell. The Bible teaches that from the moment a person truly believes in Christ, he or she is eternally secure (John 3:16). According to the Bible, Christians can know beyond any doubt that they possess eternal life no matter what happens. "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God" (1 John 5:13). Nothing can separate a Christian from God's love! "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39). If no "created thing" can separate a Christian from God's love, and even a Christian who commits suicide is a "created thing," then not even suicide can separate him from God's love. Jesus died for all of our sins, and if a true Christian were to, in a time of spiritual attack and weakness, commit suicide, that would be a sin that Jesus died for.

This is not to say that suicide is not a serious sin against God. According to the Bible, suicide is murder; it is always wrong. Serious doubts would be raised about the genuineness of faith of anyone who claimed to be a Christian yet committed suicide. There is no circumstance that can justify someone, especially a Christian, taking his or her own life. Christians are called to live their lives for God, and the decision on when to die is God's and God's alone. Perhaps a good way to illustrate suicide for a Christian would be from the Book of Esther. The Persians had a law that anyone who came before the king uninvited could be put to death unless the king extended his scepter towards the person, indicating mercy. Suicide for a Christian would be forcing your way in to see the King instead of waiting for Him to summon you. He will point His scepter towards you, sparing your eternal life, but that does not mean He is happy with you. Although it is not describing suicide, the Bible verse 1 Corinthians 3:15 is probably a good description of what happens to a Christian who commits suicide: "He himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames."
Book:
Catastrophes can strike anyone, at anytime. No life is immune. No place is invulnerable. The only difference is what we do with them when they come. Jan Winebrenner writes to encourage women who have been stricken by catastrophe: cling to God for comfort and security. He uses challenges in our lives to conform us to His character. Like nothing else, devastation allows God to reveal Himself to us in unimaginable ways, drawing us into closer, deeper intimacy with Him
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So, how do we minister to people who are grieving over the loss of a loved one or friend who has committed suicide? Obviously, such people may not respond well to lectures on theology. Our most important initial ministry is simply to "be with" them, weeping with them and sharing their grief. There is a valid ministry in permitting grieving people to express their feelings--whatever they are. One of the most common emotions during grief is anger. Let people know that feeling anger at God ("How could you let this happen?") or at the person who committed suicide is understandable under the circumstances. If it is an issue, assure people that suicide is not the unpardonable sin. For Christians, all sin, past, present and future, is covered by God's grace. Salvation is a gift purchased by Christ's death and given freely to all who ask for it and receive it by faith. In Romans 8, Paul claims that nothing, not even our own actions, can separate us as believers from God's eternal love.
___It is true that we do not have all of the answers to life's questions now (1 Corinthians 13:12). However, we need to assure everyone that the Christian faith has answers--wonderful answers--which can provide comfort and hope for all.

(___Fred Meeks is chairman of the religion and philosophy division at Wayland Baptist University in Plainview)

"In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world." (Jesus Christ)

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