Suicide for Love ?

A 13-year old Chinese girl attempted suicide this past week by taking 200 sleeping pills. She survived and is in critical condition after being rushed to a Shanghai hospital.

The act was obviously sad and terrifying to the family, especially in light of the current teen suicide statistics. But that is not the entire story. Apparently, the teen learned that her father was dying of liver cancer. In response, she wrote a note to her mother stating, "Mom, I am sorry that I could not be with you anymore. Please give my liver to father after I die." Ironically, after the attempt, she was rushed to the same hospital where her father was receiving treatment.

The story, while tragic, also has at least one positive element. The fact that a young girl would go to such lengths to save her beloved father is, to say the least, amazing, But from the biblical standpoint, it is far more crucial that those about to enter eternity be spiritually healed more than physically repaired! And what is far more amazing is what God’s Son did to accomplish just that great feat. Romans 5:6-8 offers keen insight on this life-altering truth. “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

The Apostle Paul added to the sobering significance of what Christ did in Philippians 2. In verse 8 he wrote, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

It has been said that ‘love makes the world go around’ and there is an element of truth in those words. And in John 15 the Lord Himself shared the depths of the ultimate form of love. Beginning in verse 12 He condensed it all down to a one pure and all-encompassing concept. “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."

Throughout human history, men and women have demonstrated great acts of love and kindness especially for those in their immediate earthly families. That is what should come natural. And when man does so, it is primarily about his being made in the image of a loving compassionate God. (Genesis 1:27)

But those who are in Christ through saving faith have become an extension of their Lord’s hands and feet on earth. The target of their love is to go beyond those with whom they share mere human links or affection. Scripture affirms that they are to hone in primarily on those who have become their spiritual partners and their family of faith as clearly specified in Galatians 6:9-10.

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."

Bill Breckenridge