ETERNITY MATTERSPastor Simon Chen, Narromine Baptist Church
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Never allowing circumstances to dictate attitude is a challenge. It is so easy to fall into the trap of being ungracious, unkind or unpleasant just because one is having a bad day. We are reminded by the apostle Paul to rejoice in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). But how does one be joyful in perpetual pain and suffering?
It is a sad fact of life that there are some who, due to illness, accident or genetic inheritance live in just those circumstances. Is it ever right to end it all by suicide? As Christians we may have been asked or ask this very question ourselves.
We know that the Bible reminds us that human life is a gift from God (Genesis 2:7) and that we are to use it for God's glory (Matthew 25:14-30). In other words, we are not just to be good stewards in terms of possessions and material wealth, but also the very years of our lives.
We need to keep in mind too that the difficult circumstances we find ourselves in can often be opportunities for God to change and transform us to the image of Christ. It is never easy, but this is God's way (Hebrews 12:7).
But even if one does not believe in the Bible, there are still many good reasons why euthanasia should be questioned.
Firstly, who determines what "quality of life" really is? There are those who live with great physical disability and constant pain today who would claim life is still worth living.
Why is there so little study on the fact this is the case for some and not for others? Secondly, decisions made under great emotional stress are not usually good ones.
Should we not be concerned that those who often make the decision to end their lives are often living under very difficult circumstances? Can we be sure that those choices were made rationally and with a clear mind?
Thirdly, we can never be sure what advances in medical science tomorrow will bring. Many of the ailments of today might be treatable in the near future.
Death unfortunately is considered a much more permanent condition.
Sources:
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/philip-nitschke-adds-nothing-to-the-euthanasia-debate/story-fni0ffsx-1227002612923?nk=ae62d34e56e392ddfed9b31fef17a0d8
All brickbats, bouquets and banter welcome at narrominebaptist1@gmail.com