## Ten Commandments: #6

## Exodus 20:13

In our study of the ten commandments we have seen that God has given us principles by which we are to live our lives for Him. We have looked at the first four principles that dealt with our relationship to God Himself, and now we are looking at the principles that deal with our relationship to others.

The sixth commandment is one of the shortest and most direct statements found in the Scriptures. You would think that this would not be hard to understand, but a misunderstanding and misapplication of this verse has led to all sorts of confusion. People who know nothing of the Lord’s mercy and grace in their lives will quote this verse. This verse has been pasted on signs and placards to protest everything from animal rights to O.J. Simpson. What did God mean when He instructed His people not to kill?

I. THE REQUIREMENT

A. What it means.

1. It forbids homicide or murder.

2. I believe that includes abortion!

3. I also believe it includes suicide, regardless of Dr. Kevorkian’s seeming popularity.

4. I believe that it includes euthanasia, which is the next progressive step in the direction our society is headed.

B. What it doesn’t mean.

1. Capital Punishment.

(LEV 24:17) "AND HE THAT KILLETH ANY MAN SHALL SURELY BE PUT TO DEATH."

(ROM 13:4) "FOR HE IS THE MINISTER OF GOD TO THEE FOR GOOD. BUT IF THOU DO THAT WHICH IS EVIL, BE AFRAID; FOR HE BEARETH NOT THE SWORD IN VAIN: FOR HE IS THE MINISTER OF GOD, A REVENGER TO EXECUTE WRATH UPON HIM THAT DOETH EVIL."

(ECCL 8:11) "BECAUSE 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."

(NUM 35:16) "AND IF HE SMITE HIM WITH AN INSTRUMENT OF IRON, SO THAT HE DIE, HE IS A MURDERER: THE MURDERER SHALL SURELY BE PUT TO DEATH."

2. Self-defense.

(EXO 22:2) "IF A THIEF BE FOUND BREAKING UP, AND BE SMITTEN THAT HE DIE, THERE SHALL NO BLOOD BE SHED FOR HIM."

3. War.

(ECCL 3:8) "A TIME TO LOVE, AND A TIME TO HATE; A TIME OF WAR, AND A TIME OF PEACE."

II. THE REASON

A. We, as humans, are created in the image of God.

1. Some would apply the commandment to all life...human or animal.

2. However, God specifically grants permission to take the life of animals for sacrifice or food.

(EXO 20:24) "AN ALTAR OF EARTH THOU SHALT MAKE UNTO ME, AND SHALT SACRIFICE THEREON THY BURNT OFFERINGS, AND THY PEACE OFFERINGS, THY SHEEP, AND THINE OXEN: IN ALL PLACES WHERE I RECORD MY NAME I WILL COME UNTO THEE, AND I WILL BLESS THEE."

(GEN 9:3) "EVERY MOVING THING THAT LIVETH SHALL BE MEAT FOR YOU; EVEN AS THE GREEN HERB HAVE I GIVEN YOU ALL THINGS."

B. Because we are created in the image of God, human life is sacred.

GEN 9:6) "WHOSO SHEDDETH MAN'S BLOOD, BY MAN SHALL HIS BLOOD BE SHED: FOR IN THE IMAGE OF GOD MADE HE MAN."

III. OUR RESPONSE

A. We should respect our own life.

1. Life is a gift from God, and we should be careful how we treat that gift.

2. God has provided us with all we need to sustain us in this life, and He has provided us with all we need for eternity.

(ROM 6:23) "FOR THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH; BUT THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD."

3. He created us and gave us physical life, and He redeems us and gives us eternal life when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior.

4. To believers, Paul writes:

(1 COR 6:19-20) "WHAT? KNOW YE NOT THAT YOUR BODY IS THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY GHOST WHICH IS IN YOU, WHICH YE HAVE OF GOD, AND YE ARE NOT YOUR OWN? {20} FOR YE ARE BOUGHT WITH A PRICE: THEREFORE GLORIFY GOD IN YOUR BODY, AND IN YOUR SPIRIT, WHICH ARE GOD'S."

5. Some think that they should control whether they live or die, but that is not up to us.

(ROM 14:7) "FOR NONE OF US LIVETH TO HIMSELF, AND NO MAN DIETH TO HIMSELF."

B. We should respect the life of others.

1. We have already looked at the Scriptures concerning how God feels about the taking of a life.

2. We need to have a positive impact on the lives of those around us.

3. Our responsibility is to live for the Glory of God and be a witness for the Lord to this sin darkened world around us.

C. We should address the attitudes in our heart.

1. A person can transgress the law in this commandment and never spend a day in jail.

2. Jesus showed us that it isn’t just the outward act, but also the inward attitude.

3. Jesus explained that it was from the heart that murder takes seed.

(MARK 7:20-21) "AND HE SAID, THAT WHICH COMETH OUT OF THE MAN, THAT DEFILETH THE MAN. {21} FOR FROM WITHIN, OUT OF THE HEART OF MEN, PROCEED EVIL THOUGHTS, ADULTERIES, FORNICATIONS, MURDERS,"

(MAT 5:21-22A) "YE HAVE HEARD THAT IT WAS SAID BY THEM OF OLD TIME, THOU SHALT NOT KILL; AND WHOSOEVER SHALL KILL SHALL BE IN DANGER OF THE JUDGMENT: {22A} BUT I SAY UNTO YOU, THAT WHOSOEVER IS ANGRY WITH HIS BROTHER WITHOUT A CAUSE SHALL BE IN DANGER OF THE JUDGMENT..."

Now if that was all that the Bible had to say, we would all be in trouble. There may be someone here today who has committed murder. Whether outwardly or within their own heart. But, God loved us enough to provide forgiveness for all sinners, including murderers! The provision was made on Calvary when Jesus Christ was nailed to an old rugged cross. He died to forgive sin. Not just the sins of some, but the sins of all.

This morning, if you have never asked God to forgive you, what are you waiting for? Why not come today and receive the forgiveness of sin? Christians, what about our attitudes? Do you need to come today and find forgiveness and cleansing? Come now.