Thou shalt not kill
I’ve been teaching through the Sermon on the Mount on Wednesdays for the past couple of months or so. We started by going through each one of the Beatitudes one by one and tonight (10-19-2011) we will be on the “thou shalt not kill” section (Mt. 5:21-26). I’ve been meaning to blog again for a long time. If not for any other reason then to keep an open journal of sorts. It may even help me to focus my thoughts a bit more. If there ever was someone with adult ADD it is me! But I digress. Well, here are a few main thoughts on this section of the Sermon on the mount.
Mt 5:21 ¶ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
I. Understand the true nature of the command! Verse 21-22
Just as with all of God’s commands, this one was never meant as a “just go through the basic motions” command. It was meant to be obeyed from the heart.
. . . hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, (Deut. 11:13
Someone once said, “Every wicked act was preceded by a process of wicked thinking.” An murder was preceded by a process of hatred and the view of another as worthless.
II. Understand the true nature of repentance! Verse 23
Can you just picture a Hebrew in line to offer gift before the alter with others in line with him. He says to the guy behind him, “Hey, could you hold this, I just thought of something I need to go do.” He leaves just to go reconcile with a brother that he has wronged. That is the nature of true repentance.
Zacchaeus is another great example of demonstrated repentance toward God (Luke 19:8).
III. The cost of personal hatred! Verses 24-26
Being Bound Up.
The key word to these 3 verses is the first word — the word “agree.” Seek to maintain reconciliation with those around you. If you don’t hatred, bitterness and grudges have a binding effect.
Unfortunately, most hatred and bitterness takes place within families.
There is even a warning in this area for the marriage relationship:
1Pe 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Not being reconciled to your spouse binds up your prayer life!
Don’t be a killer (or a hater)
