The Sixth Commandment

It seems strange that people cannot simply live their own lives and allow other people to do the same.  However, what appears to be common sense has been the way not chosen since Cain rose up and killed his brother, Abel.  The big difference between that first act of violence is that we have learned how to kill one another more with more efficiency.  The knife Cain used killed one; today's weapons of war have the potential to kill more than can be counted.  If only all the nations could adhere to one of the Ten Commandments, the one which says, "You shall not kill."  (Exodus 20:13), but, alas, they will not.    

 

Common sense also tells us to take care of the children, the very young who are with us.  Once again common sense takes a back seat and expediency and convenience prevails.  The Word makes it clear that conception is not happenstance.  It is purposeful.  The book of Genesis tells us that from the moment of conception the child bears the mark of the holy Creator and as a re-affirming Word we hear the Psalmist say, "...it was You who formed my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother's womb..."  (Psalms 139:13).  Unfortunately, children conceived in the womb are no longer necessarily safe from harm.  If only our society could hear and understand that ancient sacred Word which says, "You shall not kill."   

 

It is true that most of us who follow Christ would not consider taking the life of another.  It is also true that the Christ we follow takes us to an uncomfortable place as He said, "You have heard that it was said...'You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment.  But I say to you that if you are angry with your brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment..."  Is it not fair to say Jesus is saying that to harbor anger is viewed by the Father as an act of the heart which speaks of disobedience to the commandment, "You shall not kill" for anger in the heart is but the first step toward destroying the life of another?  If we follow anger to its logical conclusion, the sixth commandment starts looming large before us.  If only we could realize the way we disregard the Word which says, "You shall not kill" without even raising our hand.