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Live Life--It's the Law

Realizing Revival by following the Rules

Exodus 20:13

October 25, 1998

Rev. Charles S. Mims

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 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