God alone is the giver and taker of life

The Ten Commandments were given to the nation of Israel following their delivery from slavery in Egypt. We too are to respond positively to them as they still display God’s character … his holiness and righteousness. The sixth commandment is short and to the point … we are not to kill other people, either premeditated (murder) or accidentally (manslaughter).

The rationale behind this is that human beings are created in the image of God and to strike at that image is sin. Killing human life is an attack on God … life and death is placed in the hands of God alone. Israel never went to war and had victory apart from the express commandment of God. If they went on their own they lost.

The New Testament church is reminded that ‘our struggle is not against flesh and blood’ … it is now war against our sinful desires. We are called to even love our enemy and love our neighbor as ourselves. Name calling and insults are getting pretty close to killing … everyone who hates a brother or sister is a ‘murderer’.

Jesus came to give life. He didn’t come to take it. He made atonement for the sins of all those who turn to him in and through His death on the cross. Forgiveness is found in him alone and through him we have the grace to truly love our enemies.