Suicide Watch

I was a kid of the 70’s and a fan of the martial arts. And yes, I went around Karate chopping and kicking walls, friends, and anything I could find. And no, my parents were not stupid enough to allow me to have a set of nung chucks. Yet, I must admit I was not a big fan of the TV series "Kung Fu." David Carradine’s role as a Shaolin monk was a little too calm, collective, and mysterious for my taste. The 19th century Far East/Old West theme just didn’t work for me. However, thirty years later, I am a fan of the Quentin Tarantino cult films “Kill Bill,” in which Carradine plays a prominent role as Uma Thurman’s diabolical former boss.

By now you have either heard or read that David Carradine, 72, was found dead in a Bangkok hotel room last Thursday, hanging naked in a closet with ropes tied around his wrists, neck and genitals. It remains unclear whether his death was a suicide or an accident, but two of Carradine's ex-wives have revealed that the "Kung Fu" star got his kicks with kinky sex.

We Christians tend to form our own subculture; spending most of our time with other Bible believers. Consequently, when we hear of the lifestyles or “deathstyles” of those who have not accepted Christ’s teaching, we are flabbergasted. The reality, though, is that unbelieving people cannot be expected to live or even die as believers would. Worldly behavior from unbelievers should not surprise Christians; it is perfectly consistent with their worldview. However, the lifestyles and “deathstyles” of unbelievers should greatly grieve us.

Clearly, every human being is prone to destructive attitudes and habits. There are many people today engaging in "potentially deadly" acts--kinky sex, unprotected sex, gang involvement, drug trafficking, illicit drug use, etc.--who are all on the verge of committing suicide. But when God saves us, He places His Holy Spirit within us, and at the point of our spiritual rebirth, God begins to transform us to reflect His image as humanity was originally designed to do.

As Christians, our calling is to not only live in a manner that is worthy of Christ’s name, but to treat others in a way that is a direct response to our understanding of the destructiveness of sin and the saving power of the gospel. We’re commissioned by God to be on a “suicide watch” for unbelievers around us. “We are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”[1]

According the book of Acts, there was an occasion when Paul and Silas were in prison and they encountered a guard who was on the brink of suicide.

Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”[2]

I wonder if there were any Christian television or movie stars that traveled in David Carradine’s circle who could have cried out to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are here for you!”? All around us are people needing a suicide intervention (both figuratively and literally), but we can’t help them if we are not there when they need us or are oblivious to their need. Our natural tendency is to be ever on the lookout for what will benefit us, not others.

Opportunities to rescue others will arise this week, but you have to ask God to remove the blinders from your eyes. If you ask the Holy Spirit to free you from self-centeredness, He will give you at the right time, the right words to say or the right prayer to pray that will save someone's life.

The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”[ 3]

When’s the last time an unbeliever asked you, “Sir” or “Madam, what must I do to be saved?”

[1] 2 Cor. 5:19-20 (NLT)
[2] Acts 16:26-28 (NLT)
[3] Acts 16:29-30 (NLT)