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QUESTION 20:
I have been told that a person that commits suicide cannot go to heaven. But, in the Bible Samson, committed suicide and he was a saved man. Could you please explain this?

ANSWER:
The Queen of Sheba came to Solomon with hard questions and he gave her all the answers. If I had him handy I would probably have an answer for you. This is a very difficult question. It is generally believed by men that people who commit suicide are not mentally right. In this way you could argue they were not responsible for it. However, that doesn't answer the question. I think your case of Samson is a good one, if you believe it was suicide. Some might argue that he died as a warrior in battle. He is listed on the honor roll of faith in Hebrews 11:32-34.

I don't believe we have any thing in the scriptures that says a person that commits suicide cannot go to heaven. It is wrong, but again, every sin is wrong in the sight of God. Who can say I have no sin? Many of God's servants in the Bible were murderers. Think of David and Uriah. Moses and the Egyptian man. These men were saved and will be there in the kingdom. It is only by the grace of God that we are saved. God's grace is greater than all our sins. Romans 5:20.

Dear Reader, you might never commit suicide, but you are still a sinner in the sight of God, unless you have trusted in the Saviour who loved you and died to save you. Have you trusted Christ as Saviour yet? Acts 16:31.

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen