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Christian Network

 
 Live Life--It's the Law
Realizing Revival by following the Rules
Exodus 20:13
 
 
13Thou shalt not kill.
 
As we continue our study of the Ten Commandments in our series "Realizing 
Revival by Following the Rules" we find ourselves looking this morning at one of 
the shortest and most direct, yet ironically one of the most controversial, 
statements or commands to be found in scripture. Thou Shalt not kill. Arguably, 
it should be an easy command to understand, and even easier to obey. 
Unfortunately, it is one of the most misunderstood and misapplied verses in our 
Bible. From animal rights activists misusing this verse, all the way to those 
chanting the verse at O. J. Simpson, this verse is as much a part of our culture 
as baseball and easy pay plans. So why is it so difficult to understand? What 
exactly did God have in mind when he commanded his people not to kill? 
Often times it is helpful for us to look to the mouths of babes when we want an 
answer to a burning question.
  A Sunday School teacher was in the process of teaching the 10 commandments to 
  her third grade class. She noted: "We have learned the commandments, 'Honor 
  thy father and mother.' Is there one that refers to brothers and sisters?" A 
  little girl responded, "Thou shalt not kill!"
  --Author Unknown
Well, regardless of the family members we may think may be better off on the 
other side, God was pretty serious when He gave this commandment to Moses, and 
it is a command that we are expected to obey even today. So…just what did God 
mean?
What this Command Requires
Before we can begin to understand this surprisingly complex commandment, we must 
look at it and discover what it requires of us. Perhaps we should look at what 
it does NOT mean before we get into what I believe the command mean. 
In order to do this, lets be clear about the words in the verse. If we leave it 
at simply Thou Shalt Not Kill, we open up a whole Pandora's Box of ethical and 
moral questions ranging from is it ok to kill animals for food all the way to is 
it wrong to execute criminals convicted of capital crimes. The word rendered in 
English as "Kill" is the word raòtsach (raw-tsakh' ) meaning to dash to pieces, 
to put to death, especially to murder. I believe that the word as used in Exodus 
20:13 should more properly translated Thou Shalt Not Murder. This may seem like 
a small distinction, or even a game of word play, but it really makes a 
difference in how you interpret the verse.
Keeping the above definition of the word in mind, it seems clear that this verse 
cannot be used against capital punishment. For those who are opposed to the 
death penalty, there are other passages of scripture that could conceivably be 
used to bolster your claim, but this is not one of them. In fact I, for one, 
believe that the scriptures support in word and intent the execution of those 
who take the life of another.
  Leviticus 24:17
  17And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death. 
  Ecclesiastes 8:11
  11Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore 
  the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
However, regardless of your feelings on capital punishment, the 6th Commandment 
does not deal with those put to death in a lawful manner, in accordance to the 
laws of God or man.
Neither does the 6th Commandment condemn those who take a life in defense of 
themselves or their property. If a person is killed in self defense, then that 
is not murder. Not by a legal definition, nor by a moral implication. The same 
holds true for accidental death. We have the right to defend ourselves, and we 
have an obligation to protect our families. 
  Exodus 22:2
  2If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no 
  blood be shed for him.
Also, deaths caused by war are not included in this prohibition against murder. 
Over and over again in scripture we find times where God has sanctioned war. God 
would not have sent his people to battle if after fighting the battle he were 
going to hold them accountable for the deaths that occur. 
So, if these things are not prohibited, what is taboo? Well to bring it to it's 
most elemental form, we can say that the unlawful, willful, informed taking of 
the life of a human being is what is at issue here.
This includes many different kinds of killing, the primary killing being 
outright, cold-blooded homicide. While it is true that in the last year or so 
homicides have actually declined, death by murder is still a very real problem 
in our society. We have reached a point in our world that a human life has no 
value. It used to be said that the bare essential minerals in a human body would 
be worth about $1.50. Well in today's world, a man's life is not even worth that 
amount. People have been murdered over all sorts of slights, both real and 
imagined. Motorists have lost their lives because they drove too slowly in front 
of the wrong person, children murder other children in our schools over the same 
kind of childhood taunting that you and I endured during our school days, 
parents leave newborn infants in garbage cans because they cannot face the 
responsibility of being a parent, and the list goes on, and on, and on. This can 
only change when we begin to place a greater emphasis on the importance and 
sanctity of the human life. A human life is irreplaceable and should not be 
dismissed so casually. Most of us, however will probably never take a life. Most 
of us will probably never become so angry that we murder someone. Yet can we 
dismiss this commandment so easily?
There are other forms of murder, and each of them are hot-button, high 
intensity, emotional topics. We are going to deal with two of them this morning, 
in a brief way. The first of these is what is being called Euthanasia or mercy 
killing. I believe that the 6th commandment forbids this kind of physician 
assisted suicide. I feel that in a moment when we look at the reasons for the 
6th Commandment, you will realize why I believe this way. Now, to be clear, I am 
not referring to living wills, or do not recesitate orders. I'm not talking 
about forcing a person whom God has already called home to live on indefinitely 
by artificial means. Instead, I'm talking about a physician or any other person 
taking steps to end a person's life pre-mature by artificial means. After a lot 
of prayer, I have come to believe that this sort of activity is murder and is 
prohibited by the word of God. Thankfully a majority of doctors feel the same 
way:
  Percent of U.S. doctors who treat the seriously ill who would be willing to 
  hasten a patient's death by prescribing medication--11 
  Percent who would provide a lethal injection if asked--7 
  Percent who have done either--6 
  -- From a survey of 3,102 doctors in 10 specialties that care for the dying, 
  published in New England Journal of Medicine. From the files of Leadership.
This second hot potato is probably the one that some of you thought that the 
entire message would be about. Of course I am referring to abortion. Abortion is 
one of those issues that both sides have some very valid points. It is also an 
issue that many of us in a pharisaical fashion have made a litmus test to 
determine a person's spirituality. I believe that abortion is prohibited by this 
command. If not prohibited by this one, then certainly by other scriptures that 
deal with the sanctity of human life. I will qualify this somewhat in a moment, 
however, allow me to read what the book of Exodus has to say about causing a 
woman to miscarry (which essentially is what abortion is):
  22If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from 
  her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the 
  woman’s husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. 
  23And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life. Exodus 21:22 
  through Exodus 21:23
In this passage, God said that if two men fight and cause injury to a pregnant 
woman, then there are consequences to be paid if the baby is born prematurely. 
If both the woman and child are fine, then the offender may be sued for money 
and forced to pay for the pain and suffering. If either of them die, the one 
causing the death is to be put to death. 
It seems that God gives an unborn baby the same protection as a baby that is 
carried full term. In many cases in scripture we see God referring to children 
in the womb as being important. In Luke 1, the word that was used to describe 
John the Baptist while in the womb was the same exact word used to describe 
Jesus as he lay in the manger. So, from God's perspective life is sacred from 
the moment of conception.
  For that reason, I believe that abortion is immoral, and is covered by this 
  commandment. Yet I've always been, and still am leery about protests, and the 
  sort of in-your-face activism that is popular today. I truly don't believe 
  that Jesus would approve of us standing out in front of an abortion clinic 
  calling people names. He would not want us shouting insults or condemnations 
  at young women who come to abort their babies. Jesus would be distressed at us 
  bombing clinics and shooting people no matter how strongly we disagree with 
  their actions. Such behavior is just as worldly and just as at odds with the 
  message of the Gospel as the Crusades were during the middle ages, when people 
  went off to kill others in the name of Jesus.
  However, because some err in this and commit these unchristian acts in the 
  name of Jesus, that does not give us the license to ignore the problem of 
  abortion. There are many things we can and ought to be doing as Christians.
  We can help young, unwed mothers through their pregnancies by helping 
  financially and emotionally and opening up our homes and our lives to them. We 
  can help them afterwards to get their lives on the right track, whether they 
  keep their babies or offer them up for adoption. We can be willing to adopt 
  unwanted babies. There are many who cannot have children who would love to 
  love an unwanted child. We can help mothers and potential parents get 
  together. Those who are older can offer to help younger couples with the 
  financial end of adopting children who would otherwise be aborted. Those who 
  employ people can offer jobs to single mothers and thereby taking away the 
  financial uncertainty that no doubt prompts some to have abortions.
  (The preceding three paragraphs were copied from 
  http://www.cia-g.com/~dphelt/hotpotato.html in a sermon by Rev. Derek Helt, 
  Pastor of Gallup Christian Church entitled A Very Hot Potato: Abortion ) 
The Reasons to Obey This Commandment
There are some very good reasons that we should obey this command. These are of 
course aside from the fact that God commanded it. The first of these reasons is 
that we were created in the image of God. We are God's creation, and as such our 
lives are sanctified. One could make the case then that the commandment should 
apply to all life, whether animal or human. However, God specifically granted us 
the authority over the animal and plant kingdoms. God told mankind that every 
moving thing would be food, and every green herb as well. (Gen 9:3) God felt 
strongly that human life was of importance. It is so important that the penalty 
for taking a life is death according to Gen 9:6. 
Another reason we should obey this commandment is murder intrudes upon God's 
territory. When we deprive another living being of his or her life we are 
placing our selves on par with God. God Himself contracts our entrance into this 
world, and it is He who should contract our exit. 
When we cause another being to leave this world prematurely, we are encroaching 
upon an area that should be uniquely God's. This is partially why I feel that 
physician assisted murder is wrong. If it is time for us to leave this world, 
God will call us home. Even if we are hooked up to all of the life saving 
equipment in the world, when God is ready for us, we shall be called. We should 
not take upon ourselves the task of deciding when it is time to go. 
Our Response
We should respect our own life. Life is a blessed gift, and we should live life 
to it's fullest. We must also be extremely careful how we treat this beautiful 
gift from God. Countless times we abuse our bodies, and risk our lives 
foolishly. We should never take our lives for granted. We should never abuse our 
bodies either. Our bodies are the temple of the Lord. God created our bodies, 
our minds, our souls, our very being. We must do our very best to live life 
fully, but mindful of the blessing that it is.
We should also respect the lives of others. The taking of a life is clearly at 
odds with the Word of God. The human life should have meaning to us, life should 
be something that we cherish, and protect at all costs. Part of respecting 
other's lives means that we must impact the lives of others in a positive 
manner. If we will spend the same amount of time encouraging others instead of 
tearing them down, could you even begin to imagine the way people's self-esteem 
would be affected? Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in our nation, 
and many of those who commit suicide do so because they have abandoned all hope, 
they feel that they are unloved, and worthless. If we would take time to make a 
positive difference in the lives of people, we would improve life for all of us. 

Finally, we must address our attitudes. Jesus made it plain that there was more 
to this command than just the physical act of taking a life. Our thoughts are to 
be factored into the equation, our attitudes about people and life. We live in a 
society that is getting increasingly angry. Rage roars around us. Anger and 
violence bubble closely near the surface of many, barely being kept in check by 
years of ingrained civility. We may not be condemned according to the law for 
our thoughts, but God will surely hold us accountable. If we are to guard 
against shattering this commandment we have to guard our attitudes as well. We 
have to control our anger, remove the rage. We must think on those things that 
are right, things that are holy, and things that are just. We must not allow our 
baser tendencies to rule our life, instead we must allow the Holy Spirit to 
control our thoughts and actions.
Conclusion
These Ten Commandments provide us a basis to live our lives by. Most of the time 
we gloss over them, thinking that we shall never break them. Yet when we realize 
that our intent is just as important, our surety is not as strong. We cannot 
keep these commandments in our own flesh, we must rely on God's Spirit to 
shoulder the burden. We can keep ourselves pure and holy, but only when we stop 
trying to do it on our own. If we are ever to realize revival, we must live by 
the rules.

copyright © 1998 by Rev. Charles S. Mims, All Rights Reserved