Key Bible Passage(s):
Matthew 5:21-26; John 8:44; Ephesians 4:22-27; I John 3:11-15
Tier 1:
Human life is to be protected because it was created in the Image of God. To assault a human is to assault the image of God. We have to think quite carefully about this Commandment. The prohibition is not against all killing. From the earliest chapters of the Bible, there is legitimate killing mandated by God. But it is the LORD who remains sovereign over life and death. As we say in the funeral service: The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away (Job.1:21).
Tier 2:
As we’ve seen repeatedly in this term, we don’t keep the Commandment simply by avoiding the criminal act of murder. As if we could say: ‘I’m a good person because I haven’t killed anyone!’. The Commandment speaks to the anger, hatred, contempt and disregard for human life as created in the image of God that lies behind the act. From its place embedded in the core of our being (Prov.4:23), this Commandment is designed to shape all we are and all we do at every level of our behaviour.
Tier 3:
There is an urgency in repairing the damage that anger and violence (whether in thought, word or deed) do to relationships between us as Christians. There are powerful spiritual dynamics at work, and the Bible teaches that unresolved anger actually gives the devil a foothold. It is the very opposite of the love we are called to exhibit as disciples of Christ, and will eat away at the relationships that are supposed to characterize Church life. Those relationships are at the heart of what it means to be a Christian Community in relationship with a God who is Trinity. The whole Gospel is about reconciliation, the restoration of relationship with God and with each other. Anger attacks the very heart of the Gospel and all that it means for us.
A person's life is his most precious possession. Consequently, to rob him of it is the greatest sin we can commit against him, while to give one's own life on his behalf is the greatest possible expression of love for him. This, then, is the ultimate contrast: Cain's hatred issued in murder, Christ's love (issued) in self-sacrifice.
John Stott
Group Discussion:
Do you agree with capital punishment? Do you think it was wrong in the Old Testament? Is it wrong now?
How does the Sixth Commandment affect a Christian’s thinking on issues of medical ethics such as abortion, euthanasia, or assisted suicide?
What actions could / should we take to help protect and advocate for other people’s lives?
Do you think a Christian could be a pacifist on the basis of the sixth commandment?
and later in the session:
In the same way as there is legitimate taking of life, is there legitimate anger?
Do you think it is possible to live without sinful anger / bitterness / resentment / hate?
How could this become a realistic option for us?
How would you respond to someone who said they were a good person because ‘they never hurt anyone’?
Homework:
Over this half-term we are working to memorise Matthew 5:21-26. You will have to keep refreshing Matt.5:1-20, Matt.6:5-15 and Matt.7:7-12 whilst you do this.
(we’ll memorise the whole of the Sermon on the Mount over the 3 years of DTP)
To Be A Christian: Q&A 307-316
Book Recommendation:
