Can God forgive suicide?

Is that the way it works? Just curious. So if someone is "saved" and then "slips" and murders someone are they still saved?

 

I don't believe the Bible teaches the "once saved always saved" idea.

Paul, probably one of the greatest Christians to every live, wrote about his personal struggle with sin. Even after his own conversion, and during his missionary ministry, Paul said this: "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." Later, he says, "So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me." (Rom. 7:15, 21).

He was stating the fact that even after his own conversion, he still struggled with sin. My question is this: why even struggle to avoid sin if it is true that once we are saved, we are ALWAYS saved?

Still, when all is said and done, nowhere in the Bible can you find the idea that once you are saved you are always saved promoted.

This is just my humble opinion.

 

Thanks for the input. I just get peeved when criminals go to prison and then say they "found Jesus" and are saved.

 

The real question is, if someone who's supposedly saved murders another after his conversion, was he ever really saved? Probably not, but that's for Christ to judge, not us.

 

I struggled with that concept, too, Turbo. In fact, I even misinterpreted Hebrews 10:26 during a sermon to a bunch of high school students because I didn't want to believe it.

But I was wrong.

Paul answered this question in Romans 6. Salvation isn't just "fire insurance". It's a part of the whole of being spiritually reborn. People aren't saved because they prayed a prayer. They're saved because they've acknowledged Christ for who He is, and asked for His forgiveness for their sin. It's a transaction of the heart, not the mouth. And the change that results begins immediately, not at the moment of our physical death.

What about the whole idea of being reborn? About dying to self and receiving a new identity in Christ? What about being called God's child? Are these things not permanent?

 

Why?

 

..but if they mean it, that's great!! i know what you're saying though. Some say it when it's parole time but their are some who really mean it.

 

Only God really knows if a person is saved and yes I do believe that some people do find God when they go to prison.. some never had any other way to find out until then. The truth is we are all sinners and we are all going to slip. But the truly saved are forgiven and will go to heaven.

 

I work with offenders and inmates, and I have to agree - this statement about `finding Jesus' is sometimes frustrating and difficult to deal with from my point of view. I really hate to come across as cynical and weary when it comes to this sort of thing - but here's my side of it. Depending on the offence, when an offender enters into the world of the Department of Corrections - there are a number of things that will go on for him / her during that sentence. I know that there are differences between countries - but I dare say that there are similar ideals and methodology when dealing with criminals. During the sentence (whether it be jail time, Parole, Probation or whatever) if there are identified causal issues to the offence, we will want to deal with those, and get to the root of the issue. Sometimes - in fact, most times when you do this with offenders - you strike nerves, and it can be a very difficult experience for some to face up to old behaviours that have got them in the situation that they're in today. It's difficult to stand up and admit to alot of these things and worse to be challenged by your Probation Officer and pushed to the limits session after session. While I think there are a lot of positives around religious salvation / awakening - it can be a very handy block for those not wanting to deal with past behaviours. I know that's not the case with most genuine people who have found Christ (Buddah, Krishna etc), but for some - it's all too handy not to go back in time and explore the causal factors to their offending because they found God and that was their `past life'. For example - an addict will still be an addict - or have a propensity for that particular addiction without some sort of relapse prevention plan that identifies their high risk activities, situations and what have you. The fact that they have found God is indeed wonderful - but for some offenders who think that that in itself will do - and have no desire to work on further self development around their offending and their lifestyles - well, they usually re-enter the system somewhere along the line because of their reluctance to face up, take responsibility and work on the reasons for their offending behaviour. I'm sorry if I have moved this very good thread off on a tangent - but I had to get that off me chest .

 

:applause: That was a very fine post, HG. I couldn't agree more. :applause: :applause: