You Shall Not Murder, You Shall Do No Harm
Heidelberg Catechism: Lord’s Day 40
Scripture Texts: Exodus 20:13; Matthew 5:21-22
The 20th century turned out to be a very deadly century. More people were killed in the 20th century than in all previous centuries combined. The 20th century also turned out to be the deadliest century for Christians. More Christians were martyred in the 20th century than in all previous centuries combined.
The future of murder is looking very good as well. The 21st century is off and running at a rapid rate. All the leading indicators are up. Suicide, abortion, euthanasia, terrorism, war, racial cleansing, civil war, serial killers, school violence, violence on TV and in movies.
No previous generation has seen so much killing or done so much killing. We live in a world that is awash in blood and violence. And there is a reason. We live in a world that has rejected God, which is to reject life, so having embraced death, we are in a death spiral with a death wish.
But there is hope and it’s found in the grace of God in His commandments. What this century needs more than any other is two commandments, love God and love your neighbor. The Sixth Commandment shows us love for God by loving our neighbor and loving his God-given life.
What possession do we have that is more precious or valuable to us than our life? It is grace that God should speak to us about that precious gift. It’s the goodness of God that He should seek to guard our lives and urge us to do the same.
You shall not murder.
Four simple little words in English, just two words in Hebrew, “No Murder.” What commandment could possibly be easier to understand. What more needs to be said? Don’t murder.
What about that don’t you understand? God says, don’t murder people. Pretty much covers it don’t you think? We think that’s all there is too it.
Well OK maybe we need a little more explanation. There are two things we need to know about this word murder.