AboutAnthony Expertise Can one know God and not keep His commandments? Let John answer (1Jn2:4). He that says, I know Him and keeps not His commandments (including the 4th) is a liar and the truth is not in him. Since Seventh-Day Adventists derive their teachings from the Holy Bible, I will answer questions on any Biblically related subject or topic and questions on distinct Adventist practice and doctrine. Remember Paul`s words that state in the last days there will be deceivers seeking to lead astray many, yet the sincere believer can take comfort in the Lord`s promise that anyone desiring to know His truth will know it. May the Lord bless you as you seek Him.
Experience I graduated from an Adventist University with a major in Behavioral Science and a minor in religion including an intermediate study of the Greek written language. I earned a master in religion from Liberty University a Baptist seminary. I have been a student of the Bible and of Biblical history for over 30 years.
i am taking a religion course in school and the topic of the assignment is "is suicide a forgivable sin?". i have always thought that the only unforgivable sin is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit which means rejecting the work of the Holy Spirit in trying to glorify Jesus as God. I know suicide is a sin but is it unforgivable? please help me by letting me know the answer. thank you. God bless you.
andy huang
Answer Dear Andy, Thanks for your inquiry. As far as “letting you know the answer” this may not be possible. As the Bible states, “ man looks on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart.” I have two relatives that committed suicide. One because of a breakup with a girlfriend, the other because of his infatuation with the macabre. As you know, suicide is against the 6th commandment. The outward appearance is that the last act this person commits is sin so logically there is no time to repent therefore that person died in sin and is lost. There are also those that kill themselves unintentionally such as with a drug overdose. This is no less sin since the Bible says our bodies are to be a temple for the Holy Spirit and if we defile this temple we will pay the punishment. 1Corinthians 3:16&17. But what about the person who becomes so distraught and emotionally overwhelmed that they don't think straight? They see no solution and so take their own life. Would God forgive them, could He forgive them? Again, God looks on the heart and takes into account every motive, every action, every reason and the judgment God comes up with is perfectly blended with love, justice and mercy so we can be sure that His judgment is a true and righteous judgment. Here is something else to think about Andy. I once observed a person do something not very nice to someone who loved them very much. This was obviously a spiteful, selfish act and would be construed as sin. However, I watched and noted that this offended person already forgave that person before he had a chance to ask for forgiveness because he loved him very much. Forgave him even before he sought his forgiveness. I had to wonder at that. Could a person be more forgiving than God? Could a person be more loving than God? Since we are created in the image of God what I saw was a mini demonstration of the traits of God acted out in real life. May the Lord bless you as you seek Him. marty
