THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not murder (Exodus 20:13 ESV)
There is a blatant disregard for life in the world, and it did not start yesterday...or even the day before yesterday. It began with the first murder in recorded history - when Cain killed Abel in an act of jealousy. Genesis 4:3-5a: "In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard".
If you examine this horrid sin, it cover the spectrum of emotions:
Envy: - because of Abel's better sacrifice of worship before the Lord. He had given of the first fruits of his labor while, as we see in the passage above Cain only brought AN offering. Our unwanted seconds is not what God demands from us. If you are not prepared to give your best and everything to Him. It is better you and I do not pretend and have total disregard for His Holiness and purpose, because it will not go well for us. Just ask Ananias and Sapphira!
Hatred: - because it led to Cain ignoring the warnings of God to get over himself. He then let sin rule over his wicked heart. (verses 6 and 7 here). You and I have to guard our hearts against letting the devil and his evil schemes infiltrate our minds, even in the purest of environments! It could be a fellowship moment in the church or a family gathering. We should be very careful not to take our eyes off the Lord and His work. Let's cease worrying about what the other guy is or is not doing and focus instead on our own actions and motives.
Pride: - despite being completely wrong in his conduct, Cain acted offended that God would not accept his after-thought, but would accept Abel's. God warned him that "sin is crouching at the door" ready to devour him (which it did). But God also gave him the option to grow out of his hatred and pride and disappointment by "ruling over it" (Verse 7). We ignore the warnings of God (via His Holy Spirit Who lives in us, if we are born again) at our own perils. Remember every thought, acted upon, has terrible consequences.
In the end, because of these three major emotions, the first murder in Biblical history was committed. The original word which God gave to Moses for this Sixth Commandment is "ratsach"...meaning manslaying; killing; murder etc. It basically means the 'taking' of any life: from crimes of passion like Cain's to the willful destruction of human life in the abortion industry.
Abortion is nothing new. Women, from millennia gone by, have been ridding their bodies of God's babies for some of the following reasons: to hide adultery; to keep their figures; to keep from having another child and as a form of birth control so their wanton lifestyles can continue. Since unredeemed politicians and judges enabled the multi-billion dollar abortion industry to flourish legally, over 55 million American babies have not been allowed to be born. Like Cain, the blood of each of these babies rest eternally and horribly on the souls of every president; doctor; administrator; church leader; judge; man and woman who actively or passively allowed this to happen....unless, like Roe (of Roe vs Wade, which gave us legalized abortion in 1973), they repent and put their complete trust in the Savior, Jesus Christ.
Finally, for the believer and child of God, we must guard our own emotions. In Matthew 5:23, Jesus said “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” This "something against your brother" can lead to hatred if we don't keep "short accounts" and dispatch immediately this emotion. We must do this daily to keep in a right relationship with Father above. This intense dislike of others, for the christian, is similar to murder if we let it fester in our souls and do not get rid of it through reconciliation and if possible, restoration with the person(s) involved.
Therefore, in the long run, it behooves us to walk in a manner worth of our King, Who is the Lord of our lives and Who lives and reigns in love...as well as judgment. Sin will always be "crouching at the door". Therefore, let us resolve to keep it locked out there, that Faith, Love, Hope and Charity and well as zeal for winning lost souls from the kingdom of darkness, will rule in our hearts!
Amen.
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