Q: My Christian friend took her life. Is it possible she entered hell for that?

A: Scripture says: “These things I have written to you who believe in the Son of God, in order that you may know you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13) This promise leaves no indication that new and eternal life from Jesus could ever become temporary. The eternal aspect of the born‑again life in Jesus is without beginning as well as ending.

A. W. Tozier tried to describe this when he wrote, “Regret for a sinful past will remain until we truly believe that for us in Christ, that sinful past no longer exists. The man in Christ has only Christ’s past, and that is perfect and acceptable to God. In Christ he died, in Christ he rose, and in Christ he is seated within a circle of God’s favored ones.”

There are those who would feel she entered hell for murdering herself, but Christians live by the facts of scripture rather than feelings. Often, it is what we learned after we felt we knew it all that actually counts as truth. What matters is when Paul wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “If any man is in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have passed away and, behold, new things have come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

When your friend surrendered to Jesus, she became a brand‑new species of human being and was born again by grace through faith in Him. She instantaneously became a possessor of His eternal life.

Although suicide is sin and very tragic, I cannot find any scripture that declares your friend lost a life that God claims is eternal. If parents have a son who commits suicide, that young man is still his parents son despite the act.

The only unforgivable sin I find in scripture states, “He that shall blaspheme against the Holy Spirit hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.” (Mark 3:28) In plain English, to blaspheme the Holy Spirit is to reject Jesus Christ. But Christians cannot commit this sin because they have already received Jesus. The Bible doesn’t state that suicide is unforgivable.

Who can tell the depths of despair and grief a person may be experiencing when they take their life? I cannot. The only unforgivable sin I can uncover is to refuse salvation through Jesus Christ. I am sorry you have experienced this sadness and loss. May the God of all comfort fill you with His Spirit and His love, and may waves of His peace flood your soul in Jesus’ mighty name.

Shalom everybody.

Pastor Huck:

www.calvarybcc.com