Light and Darkness: April 2017
Table of Contents
Light and Darkness
“We made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,” and we “were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honor and glory.” We have a “sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts” (2 Peter 1). “Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness” (1Thess. 5:5). Although we are children of the day, we live during the nighttime, for the Sun of righteousness is not here. While it is night, we are, as the church, to be the moon and individually to be the stars. We are to look for the dawn and let our Lord Jesus, the day star, arise and shine in our hearts. May this issue help and encourage each and all of us to follow our Lord’s instructions: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16).
Light and Darkness
Light and darkness are so much part of our lives that we take them for granted. Yet it is important to remember that both were created of God and, in a natural sense, designed for man’s blessing in this world. The Word of God reminds us of this, for we read, “I form the light, and create darkness” (Isa. 45:7). The cycle of light and darkness is necessary for the proper growth of plants, for the accommodation of both diurnal and nocturnal animals, and ultimately for the rest and well-being of man. We read, for example, “Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth” (Psa. 104:20). When God “divided the light from the darkness,” and thus established day and night, He also ordained light-bearers—“the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night” (Gen. 1:16).
With the advent of widespread electric lighting in much of the world, there are relatively few people who experience true darkness at night. Even in country areas, so-called “light pollution” often makes the night sky so bright that it is possible in some cases even to read by it. The use of artificial light has made it possible to perform many tasks at night, both indoors and outdoors—tasks that previously were possible only during daylight hours. However, during the greater part of the world’s history, day and night have been well-defined, and a moonless night was the almost total absence of light—hence the scriptural statement: “The night cometh when no man can work” (John 9:4). We know, of course, that the Lord Jesus was here speaking about moral darkness, but the statement was true naturally as well.
We are not told when darkness began to cover this world before the present creation, for the Spirit of God simply says, “The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep” (Gen. 1:2). Evidently there was some catastrophe prior to the existing creation that brought about a disordered state, and darkness was one of the results. But then God said, “Let there be light,” and He “called the light Day” (Gen. 1:3-4). Since then there have been both light and darkness in this world, and as we have seen, God has used both in a natural way.
Spiritual Light and Darkness
However, we are more concerned with light and darkness in a spiritual sense, for throughout the Word of God, the two words are consistently connected with good and evil, respectively. Perhaps we can look at a few ways in which this is portrayed in Scripture.
First of all, man’s fall brought in a love of darkness, for in his natural state he was now estranged from God. Thus we read, “Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). Adam and Eve hid among the trees of the Garden of Eden after their sin, because they were afraid of the presence of God. We also read that “the way of the wicked is as darkness” (Prov. 4:19), and in a general way the world was in moral darkness after the fall of man, until Christ came. Godly ones rose above the condition of the world, but God had not yet fully revealed Himself.
But then Christ came—the One who could say, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12), and also the One about whom it could be said, “The true light was that which, coming into the world, lightens every man” (John 1:9 JND). Unhappily, man was not comfortable with that light, for we also read, “The light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” (John 1:5). But the light had come, just the same, and man was responsible for his reaction to it.
God Is Light
Second, and following on what we have just considered, God in His character is always connected with light. We read, “God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). This is a distinct attribute of God and refers to His holy nature—a nature which knows no sin. God cannot have sin in His presence. God in His holy character had, in one sense, been revealed in the Old Testament, but since man at that time was under testing, God did not display His grace as He does in Christ. The Israelite could not approach God except with a sacrifices—sacrifices that had to be repeated. And none could enter God’s presence in the “holy of holies” except the high priest once a year, with the blood of an animal.
Now God has been revealed, not only as light, but also as love, for Christ has come down to reveal the heart of God and to show God’s grace by going to Calvary’s cross to die for lost and guilty man. God’s character as light has not been compromised, but His character of love has been brought out. The solemn reality is that the one who rejects Christ in this day of God’s grace rejects not only light, but also love.
Children of Light
Finally, the believer who accepts Christ has been brought into the light, for we read, “Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord” (Eph. 5:8). We have been delivered from “the power of darkness” (Col. 1:13) and are now called to “walk as children of light” (Eph. 5:8). If the world has rejected Christ, it remains in moral darkness, and the only light it has is from the believer. The Lord Jesus could say to His followers, “Ye are the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14), and so it is today. Man can obtain light from God’s Word, but for those who do not read the Word, the only light they see is that exhibited by believers.
How important, then, it is for us to let our “light so shine before men” (Matt. 5:16), so that God may be known through us and that the world may glorify Him. Sad to say, it is all too common today to see those of whom the Lord spoke, when He said, “If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matt. 6:23). When man has been brought into the light, even in an outward way, and then rejects it, he falls into greater darkness than the one who has never known the light. This is happening today in Christendom, and an awful judgment awaits it. And while this warning is no doubt primarily for unbelievers, it is a warning to us as believers, who may be tempted to hide our lights because of conformity to this world. In these last days, it is all the more important that our lights be bright!
W. J. Prost
God Is Light
The Apostle John had seen Jesus and had beheld in Him the manifestation of “that eternal life, which was with the Father,” and what he had “seen and heard” he declared unto the saints to whom he wrote, that they might have fellowship with him—a fellowship which was “with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.”
Nothing could be more blessed than this wondrous association and fellowship into which the saints are brought, and so the apostle had written them these things that their joy might “be full.” All this is the expression of God's infinite grace to poor sinners whom He has been pleased to lift out of the depths of ruin and to deliver from the power of sin and Satan, giving them divine, eternal life, bringing them into His own presence, and establishing them there in a known and eternal relationship with Himself. This is pure, unmingled grace, the fruit of infinite, eternal love, and it is most blessed indeed.
Light and Love
But the human heart in its wretched perversity and wickedness is ever ready to abuse grace, yes, even to turn the grace of God into lasciviousness, if it can, and so we find the truth of God guarded on every side. If God in infinite grace takes up vile sinners and brings them into His own presence and into fellowship with Himself, it is cause for profoundest joy and gratitude, but in doing this, God never does and never can set aside His own character. His unsullied holiness, His absolute purity, must shine out in all that He does, as well as His love and grace. If “God is love,” “God is light” as well. “Light” and “love” are the very essence of what He is in His nature. And if we are made partakers of the divine nature, recipients of that life—that eternal life—which was manifested in Jesus the Son of God here upon earth, we must remember it is the nature of One who is light, absolute purity, necessarily detecting and excluding all evil. Hence the apostle says, “This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5).
No Mingling With Darkness
No language could be used to describe more forcibly God's intrinsic and absolute purity. It is a purity that admits of no degree of evil. Not only is God “light,” but no “darkness” can mingle with that light. Darkness is necessarily excluded by what He is as light. And if we have been brought to God, we are not “in darkness,” but “in the light.” It is the place and condition into which we have been brought. We were once darkness, but now light in the Lord (Eph. 5:8).
In our natural state we were “darkness”; now, as redeemed and brought to God, and made partakers of the divine nature, we are “light in the Lord.” What a change, both of place and condition! Once afar off, but now in God's presence in Christ, brought nigh through His blood! Once enemies, now reconciled and in cloudless light, able to look up into God's face and say, “Abba, Father”! Once incapable of having a common thought or feeling or desire with God, now possessed of the divine nature, and able to have fellowship with Him and with His Son Jesus Christ!
Do we, then, say we have been brought to God and have fellowship with Him, and while claiming these things, walk in darkness? Then it is all a “lie,” and we “do not the truth.”
In the Light
If we have been brought to God, we are in the light, for God is light, and we have been made partakers of the divine nature. God has been revealed in Jesus, and through this revelation we have been brought to Him, receiving the life which was manifested in Jesus. And thus we are brought into fellowship with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. Only as possessing this life can we have fellowship with God.
And if we possess this life and are in this fellowship, we are necessarily in the light. The light is what God is in the purity and holiness of His nature; we participate in this nature and thus are in the light. But if we say we participate in this nature and in it have fellowship with God while we walk in darkness, we connect darkness with Him who is light. It is to say darkness belongs to that pure and holy nature, that divine life, which was manifested in Jesus. And this is a lie, and we do not know the truth. We are still in the moral darkness of nature and know not God.
Abhorrence of Sin
“God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.” It is a solemn statement which shows the necessary exclusion of evil from His presence. The cross is the measure of this. There we see His awful abhorrence of sin when He abandons His own Son and commands the sword to awake against Him as made sin for us. Abandoned of God on that cross, the suffering Victim was overwhelmed in darkness, in unfathomable sorrow, left to drink the cup of God's wrath against sin. That bitter cry of anguish, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” shows the utter impossibility of the darkness mingling with the light or of sin having a place in the presence of God.
The Test of Our State
All this is unspeakably solemn if we look at the flesh or the old nature and what flows from it, and yet it is unspeakably blessed when we realize that we are in the Son and that our life is in Him. We are brought to God in Christ. “As He is, so are we in this world” (1 John 4:17). We are in the light, but it is as partakers of the divine nature, and thus in our nature morally, like God Himself; this is most blessed indeed. But it searches the heart and tests our practical state. Are we habitually walking in the fear of God and judging the flesh with its lusts, so that nothing is seen in our walk or ways but what is Christlike? Do we carry in our souls, daily and hourly, the sense that we are in God's presence? And do we realize the manner of life that becomes that place? We are not there today and someplace else tomorrow. It is the place we are in as Christians. May the power of this truth possess our souls, giving us that holy sobriety of soul and abhorrence of sin suited to the place we are in and the nature and character God has given us as His own children.
A. H. Rule
Light and Darkness ?? How Serious Is This Issue?
In the Word of God, light is used to represent good and darkness is used to represent evil. Dealing with evil spirits is not according to the Word of God and is therefore wrong. They are actually demons, evil beings, and they belong to darkness. But the question may be asked, “How serious is it really for the Christian to be involved with things that are wrong and of darkness?” In order to answer this question, we will look at how Scripture views light and darkness and the relationship between them.
God Is Light
First of all, we find out that God's very nature is light from 1 John 1:5 where it says, “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” From this verse we see that there is an absolute separation of these two things and a complete absence of darkness (or evil) in the nature of God. This character of his nature is so important that His first act of creation, on the first day, was to say, “Let there be light” (Gen. 1:3). What God did next is not only remarkable, but it is also vital for all believers to pay careful attention to it. It says in Genesis 1:4, “God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.” This was his very first act with respect to this creation—He introduced light and then immediately separated the light from the darkness! Satan and man have been trying to mix and confuse the two ever since, but they are forever separated by God. Notice what the Lord says about those who mix light and darkness in Isaiah 5:20: “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” Here we have the same connection: good = light, darkness = evil. And the Lord says, “Woe unto them” that mix these things.
Moral Light
Just as physical light was introduced into the world at the creation, moral light was introduced into the world when the Lord Jesus was born on this earth. It says of Him in John 1:1-9 that he was “the light of men.” As the light, we learn that “the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” The Lord Jesus was the perfect example and witness of all that was right and good in this world, but the world system was left unchanged by that shining light. And the world, being in darkness and headed up by its prince, Satan, refused the light and determined to extinguish it. In the purposes of God, He allowed them to have their way, and so the Lord Jesus was delivered into their hands. He said the following words in Luke 22:53: “When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” And so, at the cross of Calvary, they raised their wicked hands against the Lord Jesus Christ and did their very worst to Him. We also learn that, in three hours of darkness, God punished Him for our sins there. Now, we are told that because he was delivered into that darkness, God has now “delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Col. 1:13).
The Power of Darkness
But what is this power of darkness from which we have been delivered? We have already seen it as the world system that is headed up by its leader, Satan, and is opposed to Christ. Of Satan, it says in 2 Corinthians 4:4, “The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” So we see that Satan is active in the world, blinding the minds to keep men in darkness and shut out the light of the gospel. And men are quite willing that it should be so, for it says in John 3:19-21, “This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” Men go on willingly in this darkness, enjoying their evil deeds, and are quite indifferent to the fact that they are bound under the power of Satan. When we are saved, we find out the reality of that from which we have been delivered. It says in Acts 26:18 that we have been turned “from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God.” In Ephesians 5:8 we are told, “Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.” And, just as our Lord was the light of the world, now He says, “Ye are the light of the world,” and, “Let your light so shine before men” (Matt. 5:14-16).
Gospel Light
As we saw in 2 Corinthians 4:4, it was the shining in of the glorious gospel of Christ that brought in that light. Just as God said, “Let there be light,” at the creation of the world, so he begins the new birth with the light of the gospel. The continuing source of our light is also the Word of God, for it says in Psalm 119:130, “The entrance of thy words giveth light.”
Letting our lights shine includes the fact that we are to have nothing whatsoever to do with the darkness. Just as physical light completely dispels and chases away the darkness wherever it shines, so the moral light that Christians are to shine around them dispels the moral darkness. In Ephesians 5:11 we are told, “Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”
The Relationship
Now, let us look at what the Scriptures have further to say regarding the believer and his relationship with light and darkness. Perhaps the strongest denunciation of the mixture of these two things is stated in 2 Corinthians. The whole passage is given below:
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Cor. 6:14-7:1).
Again, we see the connection drawn between righteousness, light and Christ. By contrast, the connection is also drawn between unrighteousness, darkness and Belial (Satan). These things are set in opposition to each other in the strongest terms: “What fellowship... what communion... what agreement?” There is none whatsoever! And so it says, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing.” Do we get the idea about how very important this is?
The Promise
What is the promise immediately following? He says, “I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” Do you have a living, daily relationship with God as your Father—One who cares for you and is involved in every circumstance of your life? If you are involved with evil spirits, the occult, or any of the works of darkness, you cannot enjoy this relationship with him. God is the Father of all who believe (John 1:12), but it is impossible to enjoy this relationship with Him unless we are separate from the darkness, for His nature is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
Notice too that he is referred to as the “Lord Almighty.” Many go on with the works of darkness out of fear, but our Father who longs to walk with us in such a living, near relationship is the “Almighty.” There is no need for fear, and faith rises above it to trust Him.
T. Ruga
Light and Light's Reflection
What can be more blessed than God's having unveiled the face of Christ to the heart and the bright light of that face shining down and filling the heart! The Holy Spirit is given to bring it always there. But, bright as it is, the treasure is in an earthen vessel, and we are still in the wilderness.
God knows nothing so beautiful as Christ; He would have us ever looking on Him in whose all-perfect beauty the Almighty heart finds all delight. That God has unveiled that face and let all its light shine down into our hearts is indeed most blessed, but from that very thing great responsibility comes in. We have to walk as light bearers. The Christ with uncovered face is a Christ whose light shines down in order to shine out through His people. All the light which they ought to give out is in the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. If you looked at responsibility as connected only with self, you would murmur and be miserable.
Reflections in Earthen Vessels
Whenever we look at responsibility, it makes us feel the need of the sweetness that we find in knowing that we are left down here as witnesses for the Lord. As soon as He comes, He will fill the whole earth with glory; we must wait for that. Our present position is as a flock for the “slaughter,” passing over the earth, letting light shine out. When He comes, He will give the higher glory. What sweetness there is in realizing we are being used by the Lord down here to give out light—serving His purpose—for He will have a light on the earth while He is away. When He comes, it will not only be the joys of His kingdom, but also you will appreciate that you have served His turn in the wilderness, letting light (His light) shine out. And when He put you there, did He not know what the earthen vessel was? The more weak and feeble we are, the more will be our sense of His power.
Witnesses for Him
Soon we shall be up there with Christ. God does not mean for us to be happy without Him, but God would first have us to be witnesses for Him down here, to show out as much light as we can.
Not only have I seen the face of Jesus Christ (see John 14:21), and, oh, what a sight beyond all sights! but I have a connection with Christ in the light. I have not only to look away from things present and see that bright light up there, but I have to reflect it down here. I may be a very bad reflector; in substance Christ says, Never mind; go on; I will give the power; I know you are nothing in yourself and that you are in the place where it is night, but go on giving out light; soon you will be in God's day. That morning without clouds will usher us into the light where Christ now is. He is the bright and morning Star. For more than 1900 years He has been dealing with a people down here; the night may be very dark, but the darkness does not reach up to the bright and morning Star. No cloud can cover Him; soon He will shine out. We are only on sufferance here, on our way to what lies farther on. He is our bright and morning Star; we shall see Him. He will take us up and guide us to the Father's house, before the sun shines out. This hope gives us courage to go on in the midst of failure.
The Lord’s Coming
To be sure, I have failed. Have I been a good light reflector? No! but I am to go on as I can till He comes, till I see Him as the bright and morning Star. Our focus in not to be on being bright light reflectors at His coming (though we ought to be such), nor in filling the lamps with oil, but like the Holy Spirit says with the bride, wanting Him to come, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus”. Are your hearts so going forth as to be ever saying, “Come, Lord Jesus”? You need not look around and wait for another; you may say it to Him. Ah! cultivate communion with Christ in connection with that word “Come”! I know nothing so fitted to raise one up out of the world as having the soul in communion with Christ about that—looking at ourselves as part of the bride still on earth, and the Spirit in her saying, “Come, Lord Jesus.”
G. V. Wigram (adapted)
Light in the Lord
We are light, yes, light in the Lord. In this expression, the ground, character and measure of that which becomes our ways as Christians is brought before us. Let us walk accordingly.
How comforting is the call of grace to holy ways! The most solemn appeal reminds us of our blessing and its security, even when urging us on with ever such closeness. How holy is our standing in Christ that God Himself should be able to say of us, “Ye [are] light in the Lord.” If He does, should we not say it of ourselves, both in privilege and responsibility?
Let us look to Him that, having been set outside all defilement (for there is nothing purer than light), we may go forward, showing that light which we are now in the Lord. It is in the light we walk, and by it we should judge all, for light we are. God would repudiate a lower standard or an atmosphere less pure. He is light, and in Him is no darkness at all; if we are His children, we are children of light.
W. Kelly
The Night of This World
“It is high time to awake out of sleep; for our salvation is nearer than when we believed.” The night of this world is the absence of the Sun of righteousness. Let us clearly understand this. In the busy and pleasure-seeking course of this world, for him who has understanding, and to whom Christ is known, it is still night; the gloom of night is over it, but the day has dawned to his faith. The Morning Star is arisen in his heart, but the world is asleep in the still-continuing darkness of night. For us indeed the night is far spent, but the world is asleep in the night. The waking soul sees on the horizon the Morning Star, the dawn along its edge, and waits for day. The heart is in the day and walks as in the day.
As Christians, we have done with works of darkness. We are still in conflict, but our armor against evil, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, is the light in which we walk. The power of light, truth, godliness, and judgment of evil, which belongs to that day, is in our heart, and the weapons and snares of darkness are foiled and detected, getting no entrance into, no hold on, the soul. We walk honestly as in the day; we put on, in our ways and heart, the walk and character of Him who is the true light of it, the Lord Jesus Christ. Having the hope of being like Him there, we purify ourselves as He is pure, we walk as He walked. We do not provide for the lusts of the nature which belongs to the darkness to satisfy it, but walk as Christ walked. Such is the Christian in view of Christ's coming and bringing on this dark and benighted world the light and day of God, in His effectual power. Such are the two springs and characters of Christian conduct—recognition of, acting up to, every relative duty in love, and knowing the time, the near approach of day to which he belongs. Compare 1 Thessalonians 5. “The night is far spent, the day is at hand” (Rom. 13:12).
J. N. Darby (adapted)
The Darkness Is Passing
What, indeed, is new is that the life that was expressed in perfection in Christ has been imparted to believers, so that it can be said, “Which thing is true in Him and in you.” For the believer to live this life in fellowship with divine Persons is possible, as God has been fully revealed in the Person of the Son, and has thus come into the light. God having been revealed, the darkness and ignorance of God that characterized the world is “passing” (1 John 2:8 JND). When the Sun of righteousness arises, the whole world will come into the light; all will know the Lord. Then the darkness will be past, but, even now, the darkness is passing, as people emerge from Judaism and heathenism and come into the light of the revelation of God in Christianity.
H. Smith
Life From God
There is nothing that more characterizes God than creating and giving life. The life of man originally and directly came from God; it was given by the inbreathing of God. This is the reason why he alone has an immortal soul. Other animals had a suited soul and life, but this did not come from God's breath; it was merely of God's will and power. He allowed their temporary existence, but this is wholly different from breathing personally into the nostrils of man, a way never applied to any other creature on the earth. Man only was thus favored. The recognition of this difference clears up the ground of man's moral being and accountability—namely, the immortality of his soul.
But there is a privilege immeasurably greater than simply being immortal in the sense of the soul's perpetual existence, for it may have an issue unspeakably awful. Think of a perpetual existence in the lake of fire! Everyone must come under the everlasting judgment of God, if he rejects His Son: never-ceasing existence to suffer at the hand of God, because one stubbornly and willfully refuses to believe that He in grace suffered thus judicially that the guilty might never suffer from Him, but only be blessed forever! How rich God's mercy to proclaim salvation to the lost because Christ bore sin's judgment on the cross! And if I believe not on Him nor in the glad tidings of what God wrought by Him, where am I? In darkness under the power of Satan, the unrelenting power of the enemy that hates both God and man. But man cannot have non-existence. This becomes the terrible guilt of the sinner who would if he could make himself non-existent. He may commit suicide, but he must give account of it to God, for God gave him life, and who gave him license to make away with that life by his own hand? How could such wicked folly work for any good? If murder in any shape be such as to denote a dark and deadly crime, self-murder is one of its worst forms, and a direct and extreme insult to God. As Jesus was ever the perfectly obedient One, it flowed from a life expressly eternal. In us who believe this does not always act, because flesh may work to our shame, but the new life, being eternal, always remains for due activity. The old life may break forth through unguardedness and lack of watching to prayer, for the old life, or mind of the flesh, is there too, and enmity against God (Rom. 8:7). It is man's own will, and whom is he obeying then? Satan, for man's will surely becomes Satan's service. Such is man's boasted free-will.
W. Kelly
Suicide
Suicide is recognized as a serious problem almost everywhere in this world. It has happened throughout history, but the sad fact is that suicide rates around the world have increased 60% during the past 40-50 years. There are probably many more true suicides than the statistics reveal, for often it is difficult to determine whether the death was self-inflicted, accidental, or a murder. Also, for every actual suicide, there are probably at least twenty attempts that fail.
Most suicides in Western countries (at least 90%) are related to depression and/or substance abuse, but the more recent increase among young people often seems to be linked to bullying and public shame, especially on social media such as Facebook and the Internet. Suicide is now the second most common cause of death in young people in Western countries. Other factors, especially in middle-aged men, include employment and financial problems.
Can a Believer Commit Suicide?
All this only underscores one of the awful effects of sin in this world, where men and women find life so hopeless that they take it into their hands to end their lives. Within a Christian perspective, some difficult questions arise: “Can a true believer commit suicide?” “What happens if a true believer takes his/her own life?” “Does a believer who commits suicide go to be with Christ?” These questions have plagued Christians for many years, and, as we might expect, the answers that have been postulated have ranged over a wide spectrum.
Some have used the verse, “Ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him” (1 John 3:15), to argue that since suicide is self-murder, the person committing the act could not possibly be saved. Others will admit that a true Christian could commit suicide, but feel that such a thing would be extremely rare. They would cast a large element of doubt on the salvation of someone who committed suicide. However, some go to the other extreme, saying that since there is no specific prohibition of suicide in the Bible, it is therefore a personal decision. It is not necessarily a sin, as it depends on all the circumstances. As always, it is important that we are found “rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).
Seven Cases in the Bible
Seven suicides are recorded in the Bible. Of these, some were clearly men who pursued a wrong course and committed suicide under bad circumstances. Included in this group are those like Abimelech (Judg. 9:54), King Saul (1 Sam. 31:4), Ahithophel (2 Sam. 17:23), Zimri, king of Israel (1 Kings 16:18), and Judas Iscariot (Matt. 27:5). We know nothing of Saul’s armorbearer (1 Sam. 31:5), except that when he saw that Saul was dead, he too killed himself. The final man, Samson (Judg. 16:30), is rather unique, for while he did indeed cause his own death, his real goal was to kill Philistines, not himself. He died as the result of his breaking the pillars of Dagon’s temple, thus causing it to collapse and kill thousands of the Philistines as well. Although he was doubtless a truly born-again soul, yet the situation in which he found himself was also the result of pursuing a wrong course.
What Scripture Says
In view of these examples, as well as the strong words about murder in both the Old and New Testaments, it is hard to see how it can be argued that suicide is not condemned in the Bible. Nowhere is it ever mentioned in a right sense; nowhere is it ever connected with one who walked with God in a consistent way. Man was created in “the image of God” (Gen. 1:27), and to take that life, even one’s own, is a serious affront to our Creator. The psalmist could say, “My times are in thy hand” (Psa. 31:15), and it is only the Lord who has right to decide when our lives should end. (Let us be clear, however, that we are in no way referring to the responsibility of governments to execute a murderer. This charge was given of God after the flood (Gen. 9:6) and has never been rescinded.)
What then about a believer who commits suicide? Sad to say, this has happened many times. Sometimes it is due to a wrong course, where a lifestyle away from the Lord has led perhaps to substance abuse, financial ruin, and ultimately estrangement from one’s family. In other cases, it is the result of severe depression connected with mental illness, where one is plunged into the blackness of despair. In still other cases, killing oneself has been a considered decision in order to avoid potential shame and dishonor. For example, at the time of the reformation, a woman and her two daughters deliberately drowned themselves rather than fall into the hands of their persecutors, whom they perceived would not only torture them, but dishonor them in a moral way.
In Every Case It Is Wrong
We have to say again that no matter what the circumstances, committing suicide is surely wrong. In the case of the woman and her daughters who drowned themselves rather than be morally defiled, we hesitate to condemn them too strongly, for those of us who live in lands where we have religious freedom have never been faced with this. Likewise it is hard to be too critical of those who succumb to severe depression, for some of us have never had to endure such agony. The well-known hymn writer Wm. Cowper had this problem, and he made at least three suicide attempts during his lifetime. But the Lord did not allow him to succeed. All of his attempts failed, and he died a natural death. Yet we know that God gives the grace for whatever circumstances he allows in our lives, and He will enable us to glorify Him in those circumstances. He could say to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for thee” (2 Cor. 12:9), and surely this is just as true for us today.
Eternal Life Is Never Lost
What happens to a believer who does, in fact, take his life? May we suggest that one or two verses settle it. Scripture says that, concerning Christ’s sheep, “I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand” (John 10:28). Despite the seriousness of taking one’s own life, there is no sin that can take away the eternal life God gives to the believer. He is also “sealed with that holy Spirit of promise” (Eph. 1:13), and nothing can break that seal.
I well remember attending the funeral of a relatively young believer who had committed suicide. He had suffered from terrible bouts of depression, and finally he took his own life, feeling that he could not go on any longer. The one who spoke at his funeral used the scripture from Hebrews 11:35, concerning those who were “tortured, not accepting deliverance.” He pointed out that this young man had been tortured by awful thoughts that plunged him into the depths of despair. While the speaker did not, in any way, condone what the young man had done, yet he pointed out, in Hebrews 11:39, that “these all ... obtained a good report through faith.” It was a good application of the scripture and brought real comfort to his family, all of whom were believers.
In conclusion, then, we affirm from the Word of God that it can never be right before God for anyone, especially a true believer, to commit suicide. However, Christians can, and do, sometimes commit suicide, and it is equally true that no true believer can lose his salvation; one who kills himself does, in fact, go to be with Christ.
Circumstances
We might also add, however, that in many cases, whether among unbelievers or believers, suicide results from exterior factors such as financial ruin, substance abuse, public shame and disgrace, and other influences over which we usually have some control. If we find ourselves, as believers, on a downward course, may the Lord give us grace to repent and turn to Him, before circumstances lead us into despair and suicidal thoughts. If we find ourselves facing financial troubles, let us look to the Lord, who has promised to supply all our need.
For those who may find themselves drawn into a potentially harmful interchange on social media, let us ask the Lord for grace to get out of that scenario, before we are in serious trouble. Better still, let us not start into something with worldly people that can only end in trouble.
With regard to exterior circumstances over which we have no control, or bouts of depression that are the result of true mental illness, it is beyond the scope of this article to go into all the ramifications. But let us remember that the Lord is there for us, whatever He may allow. Also, he has given us our brethren, who can be a real support for us, and medical help too, of which we can, and should, avail ourselves. Paul could say, “I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:38-39).
Shepherding Care
Perhaps one more word is in order here to those of us who are not tortured by depression or involved with other factors that predispose to suicide. Shepherding care is most important, and we need to be aware of those who may be hurting badly, and perhaps having serious thoughts of taking their own life. Reaching out in a loving way, being willing to listen, letting them know that someone cares, can go a long way toward preventing this ultimate act of wrong to oneself. We are “our brother’s keeper” and should always be sensitive to emotional hurt in the lives of others. “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2).
W. J. Prost
The Light Shineth in Darkness
He came, the Son of God,
Into a cruel, heartless world,
To tell the story, then untold,
Of God's unfathomed love.
He came, and men stood by
To hurl upon Him dire contempt,
To spurn the truth that God had sent,
And listen to a lie.
He came, the Christ of God,
And shouting multitudes reviled;
He heeded not their tumults wild,
His feet with peace were shod.
He came, and walked apart
Midst scenes of wickedness and woe,
To teach some empty hearts to know
The fullness of God's heart.
He came, and in the light
Of God's own face, He trod this scene,
To leave behind, where He had been,
A line of heavenly light.
Oh, wondrous tale of love!
For us He bore the wrath of God;
For us He passed through death's dark flood—
The deepest proof of love.
And, risen from the dead,
He made a home for us on high;
Unveiled the glory to our eye,
Which lights the path we tread.
And still He waits up there,
To gather in the vile, the lost;
To bring them home, though tempest-tossed,
Where love casts out all fear.
He lives, and so we live,
To find His joy fulfilled in us;
To learn His path of shame and loss,
Which He alone can give.
But, oh, what untold joy,
That He, whom men despise and scorn,
Will usher in an endless morn
With glory on His brow!
The bright and morning star
Which gilds with light our pathway here,
Will be outshone by daylight there,
Which clouds can never mar.
And walking in the light
Of God's own face forevermore,
We'll praise and worship and adore
The Son of God's delight.
C. A. W.