Islington Baptist Church
March 3, 2002
Exodus 20:13
Scripture reading: Romans 1:18-32; 3:9-18
The murderer in me
Romans 3:9-18 details for us the depths of a persons wickedness outside of Jesus Christ. In the latter part of this passage it says, “Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know.”
On the basis of this verse and the Bible’s portrait of the human heart I have entitled this sermon “The murderer in me” for the potential to murder and kill lies within every person born.
Standing against all of this though is God’s command: the 6th command which says “Thou shalt not murder”
It sounds so simple doesn’t it and on one level you are saying, such a command is easy for me to keep. However, I beg you to reconsider: for we live in a culture that trivializes the death of other people. We live in a culture that glorifies violence. We ourselves have been desensitized by our repeated exposure to television violence; to such a degree that we regard television shows that feature murder as entertainment.
In reflecting upon this command, the scriptures teachings, my television watching habits, and in particular a number of articles on Christian pacifism I discovered this about myself: my taste for blood is too high. I wonder this: Do you unwittingly have a similar taste?
Our primary text today is Exodus 20:13 which in the NIV says “You shall not murder”
What we are going to do in the time that we have today is this:
1. Answer why God gave this command
2. Consider what exactly is prohibited by this command
3. Consider what is not covered by this command
4. Consider the N.T perspectives on this command
I. Why God gave this command to not murder another person
Because we are made in the image of God
In Genesis 1:27 it says “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them”
Our being created in the image of God is a big deal for it means that every single person is in some way like God.—for example it is shown when we create, work, rest, exercise authority over something, also: every person to varying degrees reflects something of God’s character. And: as ones created in God’s image we are to reflect God’s glory to others.
Our incredible value and the sanctity of human life finds its base in our being created in the image of God.
Being created in the image of God is what distinguishes us from the animals
Being created in the image of God means that we are deserving of special treatment from each other –respect, dignity
Because we are created in the image of God it means that we, and our service belong to God
In Genesis 9:4-6 the death penalty for the murder or negligible death of another person is instituted: The reason for such a steep punishment: Because of our incredible value, a value that we have because we are made in the image of God.
II. What exactly is prohibited by this command
a. Murder: being a premeditated act
b. Manslaughter: i.e killing of another on the spur of the moment
c. Death resulting by acts of negligence
In Exodus 21:28-31 it says “If a bull gores a man or a woman to death, the bull must be stoned to death, and its meat must not be eaten. But the owner of the bull will not be held responsible. If, however, the bull has had the habit of goring and the owner has been warned but has not kept it penned up and it kills a man or woman, the bull must be stoned and the owner also must be put to death. However, if payment is demanded of him, he may redeem his life by paying whatever is demanded”.
As a side note: it amazes me that people have such debates about what to do with dogs that attack and hurt people or are a threat to others. The answer is pretty simple.
In Deuteronomy 22:8 it says “When you build a new house, make a parapet around your roof so that you may not bring the guilt of bloodshed on your house if someone falls from the roof”
It used to be in England that employers would take young children and have them working in their factories around all sorts of unsafe machines. Hundreds upon hundreds of children were killed. This command covers such things. Negligence that results in death. One of the things that led to reformation in terms of factories and safety was this command and scriptures that address death by negligence.
d. Suicide
When a person commits suicide such an act is self murder. Roman Catholics believe that all persons who commits suicide will go straight to Hell. Such is not true, such is not the criteria for whether a person goes to Hell.
Those who are going to Hell are those who reject Jesus Christ and the forgiveness and salvation that he offers.
Some true Christians have committed suicide. There last act was a sin but they are still in Heaven
e. Euthanasia: most often being doctor assisted suicide
Now I know that this is a big topic with some “grey” areas; However, The last time I checked it was God’s right to determine the day of our death, not ours.
In our day there is a growing sentiment that we have the right to determine when we die, based upon our calculation of what our --- and here’s the key buzz words “quality of life” is like.
A few years back in Holland a girl who was only in her late 20’s had herself euthanized because she determined that her “quality of life” was not what she wanted it to be.
In the United States, ironically, Dr. Jack Kevorkian/ Dr. Death who is alive and well, has “helped” a number of his patients commit suicide.
f. Abortion
Abortion is murder and its not a new invention either. Infants and the unborn have been murdered for 1000’s of years.
The Bible makes it clear that life begins at conception. God regarded us as a person while we were yet in the womb.
Interesting verses to contemplate come from Jeremiah 1:4-5 which say “The word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations”
In Psalm 139:13-16 it says “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
Abortion is not just an individual woman’s sin. In China abortion is state mandated. In Canada we have clinics and hospitals and doctors and nurses participating.
The fathers of many aborted babies are responsible because of their pressuring of the woman to have an abortion.
It may very well be that you are here today and you have committed this sin. If you have asked Jesus for forgiveness you indeed have partaken of God’s grace and forgiveness. Jesus has paid for your sin and you are free.
III. What is not covered by this command
a. The killing of animals, insects, etc.
An unfortunate and wrong result of some folks reading of the KJV is that all killing is prohibited God. The Hebrew word refers to the items that we were just talking about and not to animals or insects.
b. The avenging actions of a kinsmen redeemer under the Old Covenant
Under the O.T law –which specified an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a life for a life, the nearest relative of a murdered man was allowed to avenge his relatives murder—if indeed his relative had been murdered by a pre meditated act. (see Numbers 35)
However, this is no longer allowed.
In Matthew 5:38 Jesus says “You have heard that it was said, “Eye for eye, and for tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
c. The states action of carrying out the death penalty
God is not in the business of contradicting himself and so its obvious that when he said “Thou shalt not murder” and when he said “put to death so and so for doing X—which is said regarding a number of different crimes” that execution and murder are 2 different things.
d. War
Again, God is not in the business of contradicting himself and so when He said “Thou shalt not murder” and when He said “go and fight against so and so and wipe them out” it is clear that there is a moral, intellectual, and real difference between the 2 actions taken –war and murder are 2 different things.
Now much more can be said here and as such I would encourage you to come out to tonight’s Bible study and discussion that is going to centre upon the subject of war and Christian pacifism. In particular we are going to consider together the question of should a Christian participate in way
IV. Jesus and the New Testament’s perspective on the command to not murder
As I mentioned at the beginning of today’s message, I’ve entitled today’s sermon “The murderer in me”.
Not only is their the physical potential for each one of us to become murderers but we must also realize that the command of God not to murder concerns more than just our physical actions; our attitudes are also taken into account by this command.
In Matthew 5:21-22 Jesus says “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool! Will be in danger of the fire of hell.”
Consider also I John 3:11-15 which says “This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.”
What’s clear is this: the command of God to not murder is not done away with in the N.T, no, it is strengthened to include more than just the physical, but ones very attitude towards others.
To be lacking in love for one another is a grievous thing. All the more grievous is to harbor ill will in our hearts towards others and especially towards our brothers and sisters in Christ.
We need to work hard at being more loving, not just to the loveable but to the unlovable. The ultimate example has been set for. Jesus died for us while we yet sinners. This is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent his son to die as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
CONCLUSION
At the beginning of today’s message you may have been quick to declare yourself innocent of this command; the command to not murder. One may not have murdered another physically, but it is just as bad to have murderous and hate filled heart.
4 things we have considered today
1. The reason this command exists is because of our special design: we have been made in the image of God.
2. This command covers such things as: pre meditated murder, manslaughter, acts of negligence that lead to a persons death, suicide, euthanasia, abortion
3. This command does not refer to such things as war or capital punishment
4. Jesus and the New Testaments perspective which does not weaken the command but further strengthens it.
