Thanks for taking your time out of your day to answer my question.
I’ve been a fire fighter medic for the last 18 years. I helped more people than I can remember. I don’t write this to boast, I state it as a matter of fact.
My friend of 13 years took his life day before last. He was unique, a true free thinker. I’ve never met anyone who looked at things or quested for things in the way that he did. I’ve never been around philosophy, I took it in college but didn’t really get it. My friend Pat’s mind worked that way.
He was bigger than I am, stronger than I am, and he fought fire better than most. I considered him as my colleague, my friend. I knew his wife, his children.
I believe in God. I understand that God has reasons and I am but his servant. I do my best to do what I believe I am called to do. I am not afraid to die. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not ready. I have a wife and my own kids, but I have made my peace that if it be God’s will to take me due to my job then I will not be afraid.
Pat didn’t die in a fire, he did not give his life for another. He took his. I spent part of yesterday looking to find if suicide is a sin. We are saved through our faith and not of our works. How can my friend be sent to Hell for eternity? I believe with all that I am that God is a loving God. God had to have seen that my friend was hurting and needed help. God does not punish those in need does he?
Where is my friend? God would not have given up on this man I just know it. I’m struggling with this, Can you help me know God’s plan with Pat?
You’re a stand up guy, a brave man. My hat’s off to you and all others who put their lives on the line to protect the lives of others.
I’ll cut through all the rhetoric and come right to the point for you. Suicide is a sin because it violates the commandment “Thou shalt not kill” (murder). When someone commits suicide he or she is guilty of self-murder. But our Lord went to the cross to die in our place, relieving us of the penalty due us for all the sins of our lives, including suicide. We have only to believe that to receive an unconditional pardon (John 3:16) If Pat accepted the Lord’s death as payment in full for all of his sins before he died, then he has been forgiven and is in the presence of the Lord as we speak. If he didn’t then he isn’t, and never will be.
It’s the same with you. You say you believe in God, but that’s not enough. Over and over the Bible says that we must believe that Jesus died for us personally to be saved. If you believe in your heart that He died for you, then there’s nothing you or anyone else can do to separate you from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39) and you’ll inherit eternal life.