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The Sixth Commandment

 

' You shall not murder.' Exodus 20:13

 

I recall seeing a billboard in a town in Texas, that stated - what part of Thou Shalt can man not understand?

I must say that that sign shed some light to me that to this helps me to stay in rememberance of just who God is. It was Him in this Sixth Commandment decreed that human life is precious. Consider this from God's point of view. He made us in His own image, breathed His breath into us, thereby giving us our life. He created for us the purpose of recreating His own character in the form of man, a creature capable of great love when his creator is foremost in his life.

In our world though, human life has come to be treated with indifference. In fact a price tag has been placed on it. With enough money to the right person and you can have anyone killed. With financial aid from the goverment you can legally murder your unborn child at an abortion clinic, who in turn will sell your unborn baby's parts to research labs. Why depending on what kind of shoes or clothing your wear, you take your life at risk. And sadly, if you are infirmed, or have a terminal disease, there are now those who will help you take your life!

What a sad contrast to our Creator, who promises us the greatest gift possible - the opportunity to share eternal life with Him.

The murder of the day is typically the first thing flashed on the headlines, and it is no longer adult killing adult, but it is child killing child in the same twisted manner and style that proliferates the adult murder scene.

Random violence has become so bad, that for a person to leave their home, they take the chance of being killed. So pervasive has idle killing become that law abiding citizens cringe at the thought of going any where; and now of late it is not even safe to attend church. In our supposedly advanced society, television and motion pictures glorify killing. In their desire to make a profit we have become barraged with senseless carnage only decieved minds could possibly dredge up. Violence has become woven into the fabric of our lives that it is glamorized, idolized and worshiped.

It's ironic, that with all this glorification and money making going on, we are hypocritical enough to pass strict laws forbiding murder; while selling it off as entertainment to our citizens. Few people need to be convinced that taking life is wrong, but we have come to rely on man mad laws for punishment, which to the criminal is a joke. What we need is to restore the fear of God and His commandments.

There are those (as there always is) who will say what about war, is that not taking life? Is taking a life while in battle a violation of the Sixth Commandment?

At the heart of these questions is this issue: who possesses the authority to take a human life? Who has the right to make that decision.

The emphasis in the Sixth Commandment is on the word -you. You shall not murder! You are to deliberately and willfully premeditate to kill another person.

We must control our tempers and our desires. To take a life is for God alone to decide, and through His law's that Moses wrote, He gave guidelines for the right times and circumastances to take anothers life.

God would prefer us to merciful as He is merciful. He says to those who repent,' Say to them : ' As I live,' says the Lord God,' I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live,' Ezekiel 33:11. Since this is the way God thinks, it is also the way He wants us to think.

Even when the woman caught in the act of adultery was brought before Jesus, He did not condemn her, nor call for her to put to death as the Law of Moses called for. He pointed out to those who accused, that it is only right for one without sin to be able to pass judgement. He showed mercy, giving her the chance to reconsider how she was living and to change her ways.

Eventually we must give account of ourselves before God. James warns us, ' So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty,' James 2:12. God is the one who will administer justice to all.

By giving us His laws, God has revealed His judgemtn on the matter of premeditated versus accidental killing. For an example a felons guilt was to be established with undeniable corrobaration by solid evidence and or by witnesses before one could be sentenced.

Rather than abolishing the law, Jesus Christ showed us instead, the spiritual side of the law. He took His Father's moral law away from the hands of men, and with righteous anger born of love, shook it, until the dry bones of mans doctrines imposed within it, came rattling to the earth in a show of judgement the disciples throughout the New testament, documented well.

' Blessed are the peacemakers,' Jesus tells us,' for they shall be called sons of God,' ( Matthew 5:9). How can we put this principle into practice?

" You have heard that it was said , " you shall love your neighbor and hate you enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven...' ( verses 43-45).

God wants us to go far beyond avoiding murder. He wants us to build, not destroy. He wants us to have healthy, loving relationship; to accomplish His goal with the respect for the wonderful gift of life.

 

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