Is She Committing Suicide?

Q.  In the news recently a woman who was paralyzed went to court and won the “right to die” by having her breathing tube removed.  Her parents think that if she does that she is committing suicide and won’t go to heaven.  Question is, if she or any one can not live without the help of machines, would it be considered suicide if  she had the tubes removed, or would it be considered a natural death?

A.  I don’t believe God ever intended for us to sustain our lives indefinitely by artificial means.  Therefore, I don’t think asking to be disconnected from a machine that is permanently necessary to keep us breathing is committing suicide.  But even if it was I don’t believe doing so would prevent a believer from going to heaven.  The moment we become believers our salvation is guaranteed by God (Ephesians 1:13-14) and all the sins of our life, past, present and future, are forgiven (Colossians 2:13-14). In His sight we become a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17), perfect forever (Hebr. 10:12-14).