A friend asked what I thought about an article she had read about what the Bible says about suicide. While I’m no expert and I don’t claim to have any profound knowledge of this or any other topic relating to the Bible or suicide, I will do my best to give an answer.

The author of the article said that suicide is a sin but that the sin was forgiven before it was ever committed. She backs up her thoughts by explaining the teachings of “once saved, always saved”. So the real question in the article is: Can a Christian be condemned for sins he commits?

What does the Bible say?

Paul tells the Christians in Galatia that they can become “estranged from Christ” and “fallen from grace” if they attempt to follow the old law.

Galatians 5:4 “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.”

Paul told the Christians in Corinth to be careful not to commit sexual immorality, or to worship idols, or to complain, etc. He warned them to pay attention or they will fall. Why would he say that if all their future sins had already been forgiven?

I Corinthians 10:12 “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”

Paul tells the Christians in Corinth that even he must control his actions so that he doesn’t lose the race that we are all running.

1 Corinthians 9:27 “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”

If Paul was concerned that the way he lived could affect his salvation, why should we think we can do whatever we want and expect to be saved. When we put our faith in Christ, obey His commands to repent and be baptized, our sins are forgiven, we are added to the church, His body. If we turn from following Him and choose to live our lives the way that makes us happy, we will face the consequences of our actions on the day of judgment.

 2 Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”

If when we become a Christian all our future sins are forgiven, why would Paul tell the Christians in Corinth that they (and we) will receive the consequences for what they have done — good or bad?

What can a Christian do when he sins? What does the Bible say? What were the early Christians told to do?

Simon, in Acts 8, became a Christian. It didn’t take long before he sinned. Peter rebuked Simon for his sin and then told him what to do about it.

Acts 8:22 “Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. “

Peter didn’t tell him not to worry about it because all his sins he would ever commit had already been forgiven. He told him he must repent and pray to God to forgive him.

John wrote in his letter that we all have sinned and that we must confess our sins and we will be forgiven.

1 John 1:8-10 “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

What does all this mean? Christians can and do and will sin. Christians will have to suffer the consequences of their sins at “the judgment seat of Christ”. Christians can seek forgiveness of these sins by repenting of them and asking God for forgiveness.

After someone dies, it is too late to change his life. It is too late to ask for forgiveness. Whether the person has died without seeking forgiveness for lying or cheating or complaining or sexual immorality or suicide, the result is still the same.