“Ready To Go Home”

Monday, September 11, 2017

I have studied in school about elderly people getting a “do not resuscitate” order for when they are past their limit and do not want to be kept alive by a machine.  I can fully see why someone would have one of these, seeing as how modern medicine values length of life and not so much quality.  I have even considered getting one of these when I get into the later years of life.  But I'm not sure if this would be considered scripturally sound.  I understand that God will take us when our time comes, and that it is all in His hands.  Yet, at what point is enough enough?  When I can no longer feed myself, so a feeding tube is inserted?  Or when I’m being kept alive by life support, but I have little to no brain function and can’t do anything but lie there waiting?  I would love to know where you stand on this.

Sincerely,
Preparing For My Funeral

Dear Preparing For My Funeral,

The act of purposefully taking your own life is definitely wrong, but refusing to prolong a terminal illness is a much murkier area.  There is no doubt that suicide is sinful (read “Victim Was The Assailant” for further details), but when someone doesn’t accept surgery, chemotherapy, life-support, etc. – that isn’t suicide.  ‘Do not resuscitate’ orders, living wills, and other such decisions are a matter of wisdom and conscience.

God very clearly teaches that we should be people who value life.  It isn’t our right to presumptuously choose the moment of our death (Eccl 8:8).  Just because we are suffering isn’t necessarily a reason to stop fighting for life.  Suffering can be a very important part of our life here (Eccl 7:14).  The general rule should be to seek to preserve life – even our consciences tell us this.  It is called the “survival instinct”.

On the other hand, there comes a point when continuing to poke, prod, and prolong the life of a body that is obviously dying can offend our conscience as well.  This is where wisdom comes in.  God tells us to ask Him for wisdom (Jas 1:5) and to make conscientious decisions (1 Tim 3:9).  There is no magic answer to your question – only principles to follow in a very difficult time.

Share