Exodus 20:13 (NKJV)
13 “You shall not murder.
The
Westminster Larger Catechism was written for the benefit of serious students of
Scripture. Its purpose is to expand on the elementary answers of the Shorter
Catechism, which we recite each Lord’s Day, in order to equip Christians with
an even more thorough grasp of Scriptural teaching. Of particular note in the
Larger Catechism is its detailed exposition of the Ten Commandments. This
morning, as our exhortation, I’d like us to consider the answers it gives to
this, the sixth commandment, You shall
not murder.
The
Shorter Catechism poses the question:
Q. 68. What is required in the sixth
commandment?
A. The sixth
commandment requireth all lawful endeavors to preserve our own life, and the
life of others.
So
what exactly does that mean? It is this question that the Larger Catechism
answers:
Q. 135. What are the duties required in
the 6th commandment?
A. The duties
required in the sixth commandment are,
·
all careful studies, and lawful endeavors, to preserve
the life of ourselves and others by resisting all thoughts and purposes,
subduing all passions, and avoiding all occasions, temptations, and practices,
which tend to the unjust taking away the life of any;
·
by just defense thereof against violence, patient
bearing of the hand of God, quietness of mind, cheerfulness of spirit;
·
a sober use of meat, drink, physic, sleep, labor, and
recreations;
·
by charitable thoughts, love, compassion, meekness,
gentleness, kindness;
·
peaceable, mild and courteous speeches and behavior;
·
forbearance, readiness to be reconciled, patient
bearing and forgiving of injuries, and requiting good for evil;
·
comforting and succoring the distressed, and
protecting and defending the innocent.
Not
only are we interested to know what the 6th commandment requires of
us, we also want to know what it forbids. Again, the Shorter Catechism
summarizes:
Q. 69. What is forbidden in the sixth commandment?
A. The sixth
commandment forbiddeth the taking away of our own life, or the life of our
neighbor unjustly, or whatsoever tendeth thereunto.
Then
the Larger Catechism expands:
Q. 136. What are the sins forbidden in
the 6th commandment?
A. The sins
forbidden in the sixth commandment are,
·
all taking away the life of ourselves, or of others,
except in case of public justice, lawful war, or necessary defense;
·
the neglecting or withdrawing the lawful and necessary
means of preservation of life;
·
sinful anger, hatred, envy, desire of revenge;
·
all excessive passions, distracting cares;
·
immoderate use of meat, drink, labor, and recreations;
·
provoking words, oppression, quarreling, striking,
wounding, and whatsoever else tends to the destruction of the life of any.
The
authors of the catechism remind us of the searching nature of God’s law. God’s
law touches not simply the external actions which we perform but the internal
motivations and passions which give rise to those actions. And this observation
they learned from our Lord Jesus.
““You have heard that it was said to
those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of
the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without
a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother,
‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall
be in danger of hell fire.” (Matthew 5:21–22)
And
so reminded of the need to serve God not just externally but internally, let us
kneel and confess our sins to the Lord.
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