Pastor Rick Warren, whose son, Matthew, committed suicide last week, has forgiven the person who sold his son the gun he used to end his life.

Pastor Warren has been sharing his thoughts on Twitter this week. He said in a tweet that someone on the internet sold Matthew the unregistered gun that he used on himself. He went on to say that he hoped the seller of the gun would seek the forgiveness of God and added that he had already forgiven him.

Someone on the internet sold Matthew an unregistered gun.I pray he seeks God’s forgiveness. I forgive him. #MATTHEW 6:15

— Rick Warren (@RickWarren) April 11, 2013

 

The gun that Matthew used has had the serial number scratched off it, according to Orange County Sheriff’s Department spokesman, who said that they have the gun in their custody. They also say that this will make it almost impossible to trace the origin of the gun.

Saddleback Church where Rick Warren is pastor, decided to hold a small private service for Matthew, since the family has so many followers and friends.  They didn’t think there was any building large enough, in Orange County, to hold the crowd at a public memorial service.

Pastor Rick is on leave from his church at the moment for a time of grieving with his family, but Saddleback church representatives are saying that he would speak publicly to his congregation on his return about his son’s tragic death.

Pastor Rick said that he was deeply touched by the support from all over the country during his time of grief. He wrote on Twitter, “When in pain, pray. When you worry, worship. When in grief, share it in your small group.”

Every time my heart shatters I take the pieces to Jesus for repair.

— Rick Warren (@RickWarren) April 14, 2013

“Broken heart” originated in the Bible. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit” Ps.34:1

— Rick Warren (@RickWarren) April 14, 2013

 

My Jewish #neighbor shared Challah,my Muslim #neighbor shared Kibbeh,Christian #neighbors-Soup and S’mores.ALL shared tears

— Rick Warren (@RickWarren) April 14, 2013

Grief comes in waves.When a big wave hits, you cant ignore it.You surf it and ride it out. My surfboard is talking to Jesus.

— Rick Warren (@RickWarren) April 15, 2013

 

Matthew Warren, who died from a self inflicted gunshot wound last week, had been suffering from mental illness and depression since birth, according to Pastor Warren. The Saddleback Church has since set up a fund to help those who are suffering from mental illness.

The church has said that supporters of the Warren family can help them in two ways. The first is to post on Pastor Warren’s Facebook page words of encouragement or alternatively, they can help the church fight against mental illness by sending an online gift to the Matthew Warren Fund for mental health.

For those who might need comfort in a time of grief, Pastor Warren, has tweeted several verses this week that might be of comfort, some of the Bible passages are:

Psalm 59:16, Proverbs 17:17, Hebrews 6:10 and Galatians 6:2

Read more: All Christian News