With the death of the controversial Jack Kervorkian, I was wondering what scripture has to say about “doctor assisted” death. One of my mother’s all time favorite expressions was “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.” Is it possible that Dr. Kervorkian’s “good intentions” in helping folks die while avoiding severe pain and suffering might result in a place for him in Hell? After all, no matter how you look at it, he was taking the life of one of God’s children.
The Bible doesn’t address doctor assisted death because such an act is a violation of the commandment against willfully taking the life of another.
But it’s important to remember that if Dr. Kervorkian is in hell, it’s not because of his sins. The only thing that puts a person in hell is his or her refusal to accept the pardon the Lord provided for our sins. If Dr. Kervorkian was a born again believer, then his spirit has gone to be with the Lord just like any other believer (2 Cor. 5:6-8).
We should also remember that it’s only by believing in what the Lord did for us that we are given the authority to become one of God’s children (John 1:12-13). An unbelieving adult cannot be considered a child of God.