12“In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. (Matthew 7:12)
21“You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ 22But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. (Matthew 5:21-22)
Thoughts: Life is a precious gift not to be thrown away or degraded as if it were useless. The value of life does not depend on our ability to understand its value- but on the One who gives it. In our culture we have heard of gangs having initiation rites of shooting others- as if the gang is more important than God or human life. We have seen too many crazed shootings in movie theaters, schools, and now even churches- like Emmanuel AME in Charleston. As we move away from our faith in Jesus- we move away from the restraint that has kept us back. All the laws- gun laws, flag laws, extra police may help in restraining us- but the ultimate restraint is the Spirit of God teaching us to value what God values. Without the inner restraint of faith- we do not value that we are made in the image of God; that each person is one for whom Christ has died; or that God alone who gives life should be the One to take it. In an age in which we can artificially prolongue life, we need to remember the addage to "do no harm." When we look at ISIS beheading children for not fasting at Ramadan or killing Christians because of their faith- we should take a hard look at these catechism questions. Value life; value people; treat people with respect.
Prayer: Lord, giver of life. In life and in death I belong to you. Help me to value others as you value them.
Q & A 105
Q. What is God’s will for you in the sixth commandment?
A. I am not to belittle, hate, insult, or kill my neighbor— not by my thoughts, my words, my look or gesture, and certainly not by actual deeds— and I am not to be party to this in others;1 rather, I am to put away all desire for revenge.2 I am not to harm or recklessly endanger myself either.3 Prevention of murder is also why government is armed with the sword.4
1 Gen. 9:6; Lev. 19:17-18; Matt. 5:21-22; 26:52
2 Prov. 25:21-22; Matt. 18:35; Rom. 12:19; Eph. 4:26
3 Matt. 4:7; 26:52; Rom. 13:11-14
4 Gen. 9:6; Ex. 21:14; Rom. 13:4
2 Prov. 25:21-22; Matt. 18:35; Rom. 12:19; Eph. 4:26
3 Matt. 4:7; 26:52; Rom. 13:11-14
4 Gen. 9:6; Ex. 21:14; Rom. 13:4
Q & A 106
Q. Does this commandment refer only to murder?
A. By forbidding murder God teaches us that he hates the root of murder: envy, hatred, anger, vindictiveness.1 In God’s sight all such are disguised forms of murder.2
Q & A 107
Q. Is it enough then that we do not murder our neighbor in any such way?
A. No. By condemning envy, hatred, and anger God wants us to love our neighbors as ourselves,1 to be patient, peace-loving, gentle, merciful, and friendly toward them,2 to protect them from harm as much as we can, and to do good even to our enemies.3
1 Matt. 7:12; 22:39; Rom. 12:10
2 Matt. 5:3-12; Luke 6:36; Rom. 12:10, 18; Gal. 6:1-2; Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:12; 1 Pet. 3:8
3 Ex. 23:4-5; Matt. 5:44-45; Rom. 12:20-21 (Prov. 25:21-22)
2 Matt. 5:3-12; Luke 6:36; Rom. 12:10, 18; Gal. 6:1-2; Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:12; 1 Pet. 3:8
3 Ex. 23:4-5; Matt. 5:44-45; Rom. 12:20-21 (Prov. 25:21-22)
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