Can a person who struggles with substance abuse and yet prays still go to heaven?
I have a brother who knows the Bible well. He believes in God, loves him and has accepted him into his life as his Lord and Savior. The problem is, he is heavily addicted to drugs and has been unsuccessful in rehabilitation programs. He prays often and even shares the word with others at times. Should he meet his demise while under the influence, can he go to heaven?
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Asked December 10 2013
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Anonymous
For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Shelly Demull
We are all sinners. Even after we are saved. No one is perfect but God. If your brother has accepted Christ as his savior, then he is going to heaven... God has a plan for his life, we all fall short of the glory of God. Just keep praying for him, as I will say a prayer for him as well. May God take his will, guide him in recovery and show him how to live...
Jennifer Rothnie
Some of the most sincere Christians I have ever met were struggling with drug addiction. They were addicted, but they -knew- they were addicted. They recognized God was great above all things, and that they were sinners. Perhaps the most beautiful prayers of repentance I have ever heard came from drug addicts (who were likely high at the time) - acknowledging their sin and praying/pleading for Jesus to forgive them and help them change.
Danny Hickman
Judges look at what a person does, but God sees a person's heart. God is the one who changes a person's heart. Without God's influence we would never pray, repent, nothing. He calls us out of darkness (being blind to the ravages of sin, not out of sin itself the way some people think) into His marvelous light (the knowledge of who He is, and how much He loves and cares for us). Growth occurs when we get into the word and allow the Spirit of God to strengthen us for battle. Addiction of any kind is a hindrance to growth, not to salvation. Salvation is of God not of human effort to acquire or sustain it after being born again. Being born again is of God, not of human effort. God chooses whom to bless and whom to curse. ALL start out cursed by the stain of sin. He could leave us all in that shape and be righteous in doing so. But He chooses to have a remnant for Himself. He shows His grace by saving some. He doesn't do it because you're drug-free, or a good guy, or have a gentle spirit, or anything else. He does it to bring glory to Himself, regardless of what kind of person you are. The thief saved while hanging on a cross points that out to us.
Cindy Mock
I am following this question. I am going through this very thing after being clean and sober multiple times for multiple years and currently in a horrible relapse mode. I was raised in the church but got into addiction very early in life because of molestation and incest in my family. After other traumatic events (attempted murder by stabbing, suicide of husband, rape) I have relapsed just because I could no longer handle the intense pain.
I have been to rehab more than 30 times, AA/NA. That worked for me for a season. But ONLY after surrendering to God and the Holy Spirit, accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior, getting involved in church and committing to that lifestyle did I have any REAL success at staying clean AND having peace.
Something just keeps happening to me. I start falling away, getting bored with it. This time I got around the wrong people, tried my doc again and was IMMEDIATELY back where I started, including losing EVERYTHING except my car, which I'm currently living in and is about to be repossessed. I have 7 autoimmune diseases and just had a heart attack requiring stents, medications. I have many other ailments, no friends or family to help and I am scared of losing the last thing I have. My accounts were hacked last year and EVERYTHING STOLEN by a FAKE Amazon customer service representative. I reported it to all concerned, even Social Security. He got my disability checks for 6 months. PLEASE pray for me! Suggestions welcome! Shalom.