Are Suicidal Christians Saved

This is a difficult question to answer because the Bible doesn't mention anybody who was saved and also who committed suicide. God obviously knows who is or isn't saved. He also knows that chemical imbalances can throw people into the depths of despondency.

One example of a believer, or at least a worshipper of God, committing suicide is in 2 Samuel 17:23 (KJV). "And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father."

We know from Deuteronomy 21:23 (KJV) that a hanged person is abhorred by the Lord. "His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance."

King Saul also killed himself but he had lost God's spirit long before that. The Bible says in 1 Samuel 31:3-4 (KJV), "And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers. Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, 'Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me.' But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it."

Certainly the Apostle Paul, such a stalwart defender of the faith, desired to be with the Lord rather than continue in this sin-cursed world. As he wrote in 2 Corinthians 1:8 (KJV)  "For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:"

But God knows the heart. As he said in 1 Samuel 16:7 (KJV), "But the LORD said unto Samuel, 'Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.'"

I'll be writing more about this in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? There are some situations where we can't tell if somebody is in heaven or hell but God knows.

Saturday Song: Simon and Garfunkel, "Save the Life of My Child"

One thing I loved about the sixties was that artists started singing about substantial subjects. There were still plenty of what Paul McCartney called "silly love songs," on the air but songwriters became more introspective than in previous decades.

One song which touched me during my teenage years was "Save the Life of My Child." It's about a boy on a building ledge about to commit suicide. The reactions of the bystanders, police, and the crowd of curious onlookers were most revealing.

Listen to the song here.

This might not seem obvious to some but suicide is self murder. People feel so desperate that they see no other way out of their emotional pain.

But ending it all is a terrible idea. Matthew 27:5 (KJV) shows Judas' irrevocable mistake. "And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself."

Judas would have been better off doing what Peter did in Matthew 26:75 (KJV). "And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, 'Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.' And he went out, and wept bitterly." Peter was forgiven but Judas could have been if he had repented.

People familiar with Luke chapter sixteen would also know that there's no turning back from one's sins after death. Though I can't say for sure what happens to Christians who kill themselves, I do know that those who rebel against Christ's dominion end up forever in hell.

What do you think of this song and what I wrote? I'd love to hear from you. Have a great weekend as well.

What if We Sin After Being Saved?

A question which comes up in the lives of many new Christians is if they're really saved. When they fall into a habitual sin, Satan whispers in the ears of their minds that they wouldn't have done what they did if they were truly born again. This cunning strategy to derail our faith can be easily avoided by reading God's promises in the Bible.

Jesus promised this in John 10:28 (KJV). "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."

Hebrews 13:5 (KJV) also assures us that, "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.'"

And look at the great comfort John gives us. As he wrote in 1 John 2:1 (KJV), "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:"

Moreover, he wrote in 1 John 1:9 (KJV), "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Paul also admonishes us in Ephesians 4:30 (KJV), "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."

We also see evidence of our new life through the good fruit automatically produced in our conduct. Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV) reminds us, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

There are so many more scriptures I could cite but I'll save them for my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Only those who genuinely surrendered themselves to Christ's rule in their lives will be with him eternally. Truly good works are the fruit produced by being a new creature in Christ.

How Does Predestination Fit With Choice?

To most Christians, predestination and choice seem at odds with each other. Either we believe we can choose Christ or Christ chose us to be saved. But can both be true?

I like John MacArthur's answer to this question. Both are true. Though we can't wrap our minds around how we can be both chosen and having chosen to follow the Lord, both are true because both are in the Bible.

Deuteronomy 7:6 (KJV) shows how God chose Israel. "For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth."

Likewise, 1 Peter 2:9 (KJV) shows how we faithful are chosen by God. "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:"

God also asks people to decide between following him or going their own way. Deuteronomy 30:19 (KJV) clearly states, "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:"

The Apostle Paul, speaking to the Greeks, said in Acts 17:30 (KJV) that before Christ's coming, "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:"

Jesus also said, in reference to the slaughter of Jewish worshippers by Pilate in Luke 13:5 (KJV), "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."

I'll be writing more about this seaming contradiction in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Just because we can't understand how  predestination and choice can be true doesn't mean that one or the other is false. It's like light. It's made of waves and particles, yet both states apply to it.

Saturday Song: Sweathog, 'Hallelujah'

Young Christians are fortunate to have so many God-honouring rock bands to listen to. Their styles range from soft rock to death metal. This is because people realized that music is merely a vehicle for a message. And since the Lord was praised with instruments and voices in the Psalms, there's no reason why rock music can't be employed for gospel purposes.

But things were so different in the early seventies when I was a teenager. Many Christian elders claimed that rock music was evil. They said it was the Devil's music and some claimed I'd be possessed by a demon if I listened to it.

I thank God that not everybody thought so. A few bands actually sang about Jesus, though some of them weren't born again believers. One song stands out in my mind as being a wonderful song which praised my Lord and Saviour. A band called Sweathog released a song called "Hallelujah" in 1972.

Hear this song here. Sorry about the commercial.

Though my church friends condemned me for listening to that "satanic" music, I cranked the volume whenever a god-honouring song came on. And though it was trendy to mention Jesus in songs in the early seventies, I still enjoyed those songs.

I felt sad when I found out later that Norman Greenbahm, Ocean, and The Doobie Brothers weren't devoted to Christ. Even so, I enjoyed their hits.

This also shows that people can profess to be saved but their lives show that they're lying. As Jesus said in Matthew 7:16 (KJV), "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?"

So, what do you think? Were you around when these hits were brand new? Did you enjoy them? If you want to, please leave me a comment in the box below. And if not, have a wonderful weekend anyway.

How Does God's Omniscience Work?

This sounds like a complex question but it's really quite simple. As Isaiah 40:28 (KJV) says, "Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding."

Prophesies fulfilled also prove that the Lord has planned everything out from the beginning. Revelation 1:8 KJV) tells us, "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty."

Proverbs 22:2 (KJV) also explains, "The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all." He knows us thoroughly so he also knows what he has planned for us to do.

The Apostle Paul also wrote of God's omniscience in 1 Corinthians 2:7 (KJV). "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:"

Paul likewise wrote about God in 2 Timothy 1:9 (KJV). "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,"

God knows even what we think and what future generations will believe. Isaiah 66:18 (KJV) prophesies, "For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory."

I'll write more about how God is omniscient in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Because we can't explain everything about God doesn't mean those things aren't true. His ways are far above ours.

Can People Lose Their Salvation?

I've pointed out previously how Satan strives to sabotage the trust of believers in God. One of his attacks is on the matter of being truly saved. Some people fall into sin and the Devil convinces them that it means that they aren't really saved.

One verse which many people misuse to supposedly prove that Christians can lose their salvation is in Hebrews 6:4-6  (BBE) which says, "As for those who at one time saw the light, tasting the good things from heaven, and having their part in the Holy Spirit, With knowledge of the good word of God, and of the powers of the coming time, And then let themselves be turned away, it is not possible for their hearts to be made new a second time; because they themselves put the Son of God on the cross again, openly shaming him."

One good example of an unsaved follower, perhaps the best one, is Judas Iscariot. He was chosen by Christ and worked with him and his disciples for three -and-a-half years. But look at what John 6:70 (KJV) says. "Jesus answered them, 'Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?'"

Judas tasted, sampled, the world to come and the power of the Lord but he never gave his life to Christ. Look at what John 12:6 (KJV) says of him and his objection to the woman pouring that expensive perfume on Jesus. "This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein."

Jesus said, regarding those who claim to be Christians, in Matthew 7:21 (KJV)that, "Not every one that saith unto me, 'Lord, Lord,'shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."

And what is that will? We read in 1 John 3:23 (KJV) "And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment."

I'll be explaining more about this implicit trust in Christ's atonement in my book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Unless people surrender their wills and lives to Christ's control they will have no part with him. No amount of good works and kind words will ever gain anybody eternal life in heaven; period.

Saturday Song: Randy Stonehill, "World Without Pain"

Throughout human history, people have yearned for a world where there was no pain or sorrow. Stories and movies have created imaginary worlds where people finally found paradise. As just on example, C. S. Lewis' "The Last Battle book ended with the characters finally finding that wondrous world of endless beauty and perfect health.

Hear Randy Stonehill's song here.

A day will come when people who trust in Christ will live in such a world. As we read in 2 Peter 3:13 (KJV)  "Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."

The Lord promised this in Isaiah 65:17 (KJV)  "For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind."

In that glorious day, all that happened in this world will doubtless seem like a bad dream. Like C. S. Lewis wrote, we'll be out of the shadow world and in one more real than this dim place.

That day can't come soon enough for me but for others it'll be too late. Only by surrendering one's life to the leadership of Christ can people enter that glorious world. I hope you're one of those.

So, what do you think of Randy's song and what I wrote here? Please leave me a comment. Or else, have a great weekend anyway.

Why is Openness Theology Dangerous?

I pointed out before how this aberrant doctrine undermines people's faith in God's ability to care for them. Sowing doubt in people's minds is what Satan specializes in.

Genesis 3:1 (KJV) shows how he caused the first two people to doubt God. "Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, 'Yea, hath God said, "Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?'"

Limiting God is also what the pagans did in this instance from 1 Kings 20:28 (KJV). "And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, 'Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, "The LORD is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys," therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD.'"

By believing that God Almighty isn't as powerful as he is, Openness proponents rob him of his glory and honour. Look at what Revelation 4:11 (KJV) plainly says. "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."

Likewise, Nebuchadnezzar learned the hard way that God Almighty is the one to whom all honour, praise, and authority belong. He said in Daniel 4:3 (KJV), "How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation."

I could write much more about how certain people limit God while exalting themselves but I'll save it for my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? If God isn't all powerful and he doesn't know the future, it's pointless to trust fully in him. But since he is and does, we can.

Why is Openness Theology Wrong?

As I pointed out previously, Openness Theology claims that God doesn't know the future. But the Bible shows that he most assuredly does know what is to come.

This belief is blasphemous because it undermines people's faith in God's providence. Deuteronomy 7:9 (KJV) plainly says, "Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;"

But some might claim that it's merely wishful thinking on our part. Prophecy proves such persons wrong. Look at what was prophesied about Christ. John 19:24 (KJV) shows that no mere mortal could have set up this to fulfil the prophecies about his crucifixion. "They said therefore among themselves, 'Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be:' that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, 'They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots.' These things therefore the soldiers did."

And how could prophets hundreds of years before these events have guessed how much money was paid to Judas to betray  the Messiah? Matthew 27:9 and 10 (KJV) says, "Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, 'And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.'"

Matthew 27:35 (KJV) also proves the impossibility of anybody guessing this. "And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, 'They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.'"

I could show many more prophesies of how God foreknew what would happen in the future. I'll save those verses for my next book. People need to know that God truly does know the future and what he says does come to pass.

Saturday Song, David Bowie, God Knows I'm Good

This song is so convicting for anybody who still has a conscience. The shoplifter hopes God will cut her a break since she's so poor and the "national concern" has so much money. "God may look the other way today," she tells herself.

Hear "God Knows I'm Good" here

But God knows what's going on. Nobody can fool him. Worse yet, people professing to be Christians act just like the woman in this song. They say they never murdered anybody and they never robbed a bank. This is most likely true but the Lord still can't be fooled.

What many Christians don't realize is that God judges the thoughts of people. Jesus explained this in his Sermon on the Mount regarding murder. Even anger is akin to murder. Matthew 5:22 (KJV) quotes Christ's statement, "But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire."

The same goes for inappropriate desires. A man can claim to have never sexually assaulted a woman but look at what Christ said in Matthew 5:28 (KJV). "But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."

So, what do you think? Are you really a good person or have you wished that some jerk would drop dead? Have you secretly envied those folks with more money? If you wish to, please leave a comment on this subject in the comments box. If not, have a wonderful weekend anyway.

What Is Openness Theology?

Another wrong and blasphemous doctrine taught by certain denominations is called Openness Theology. It claims that God isn't omniscient but is as clueless as we are regarding the future.

As far as I know, there is no scriptural basis for this belief. The Bible is quite clear that God knows everything and has history all planned out.

Isaiah 46:9 and 10 (KJV) explains, "Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand,' and I will do all my pleasure:"

If God were limited to knowing only what had happened, how could he know his counsel would stand to the end? Since he is eternal, he isn't limited by time and space as we are.

Psalms 90:2 (KJV) shows that the Lord is eternal and not limited to our myopic view of history. It says of him, "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God."

Deuteronomy 33:27 (KJV) also declares God's eternal state of being. "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, 'Destroy them.'"

I'll be adding this and many more warnings of deception in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Satan loves to distract those whom he can't destroy. My hope is that those misled people will be led to safety by God through the work of my hands.