THOU SHALT NOT KILL

In light of recent events, many are in an uproar about the injustices of the American judicial system. But I ask you, what do you expect from fallen man? Do you really think that man’s law trumps the law established by God? Are we really surprised that one man killed another and walked away?  I know that I am not surprised given the circumstances and the multitude of laws in place that can easily be manipulated. The depravity of man seems to have no boundaries and we are living in an age where the law justifies every sinful behavior known to man. But God’s word is simple; it says thou shalt not kill. Period.

However, societal norms tell us otherwise. Murder has become so commonplace in our society that reasoning defines the act. The killing of one human being by another is called homicide and that is further broken down based on why, when, how, where and what can be proven by law.  Because it could be capital murder, felony murder, manslaughter, negligent homicide, vehicular homicide, genocide, serial murder, etc… the list could go on depending on the jurisdiction. But at the end of the day, no matter what title man has given it, it is still a sin according to God’s law.

Thou shall not kill seems like a simple enough directive, given by God for man to follow. The Israelites were a chosen people that God delivered for a purpose (see Exodus 19:5-6). The law was introduced by Moses along with 9 other commandments to govern the sinful nature of man. The Ten Commandments were given to deal with man’s relationship to God (see Exodus 20:3-11), and man’s relationship to other people (see Exodus 20:12-17). The law was introduced so that people could see their sin, turn away from it, and receive God’s grace (see Romans 5:20).  

The law was an act of love, to deliver people from death and destruction. If we consider love first, it is easy to do what is right. When asked what is the greatest commandment, Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself , Matthew 22:37-39. When we reverence this, it makes it hard to consider taking another’s life.

But there is nothing new under the sun; the very first murder was brother against brother, when Cain killed Abel (see Genesis 4:8). God was not pleased then and surely he is not pleased now. The shedding of blood has been an ordinary occurrence among men since that time. This world is unjust, and will only get worse given the legal precedents that have been established. But take heart, and look to the Lord for justification because He is the ultimate judge of all things great and small. Seek solace in Him, not the fickle justice system that prevails in this land. Reverence God’s word and His commandments and experience a peace unlike any other; it’s about love and relationship, not law and retaliation. God has the final say!

Scripture: You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment. Matthew 5:21

Prayer: Father God, we cry out asking forgiveness of our many sins. We cry out asking you to comfort us in our losses; many have lost love ones by the hands of another and have sought justice in a system that is flawed at best. Our prayers go out to you asking that your will be done and justice is served according to your will. As we move forward we will continue to exalt you and praise your name in the midst of our anguish and we call upon you to meet each of us at our need and to continue to bless us. We thank you and praise you for covering us and protecting us from the evil that men do and ask that you will continue to be our Comforter, Redeemer, Deliverer and Savior. It is in the name of Jesus that we ask these blessings and so many others, Amen!

Read Matthew 5:17-20 to see what Jesus says about the law.