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Fifth Commandment Treasure Human Life When God says, “You shall not murder,” He wants us to treasure the precious gift of life. First, we are to avoid harming our neighbor. We are not to injure others, nor are we to urge someone else to do this. The most difficult thing this commandment forbids is hatred. Wishing physical harm on someone is also murder in God’s eyes (Matthew 5:21-22, 43-48; 1 John 3:15). Again, we see that there is more to this commandment than simply avoiding doing evil; we are also to do good. We are to help our neighbor when he is in need. This is especially true when what our neighbor lacks is needed to sustain life. If someone is in need of clothing to prevent him from freezing to death, or if someone is in need of food to prevent him from starving to death, we should help. If we see such a need and do nothing when we are able to help, then we are in effect killing that person. Some people believe that the Bible teaches that the death penalty is always wrong. However, this is a misunderstanding of this commandment. This commandment speaks to individuals. It does not speak to those in authority who act as God’s agents in punishing evildoers. The people in the government who have been entrusted with the responsibility of judging capital crimes can impose the death penalty. However, this is not required, but merely permissible when it is deemed appropriate by the judge. The Bible does not require or forbid the use of the death penalty. Within the last few decades, there have been great advances in medical technology. Now we must often make life and death decisions that previous generations did not have to make. This is especially true at the beginning of a person’s life and at the end. Life carries with it many responsibilities, and these can become burdensome. Caring for a human life can be costly and time consuming, for example. Because of this, some people view death as a kind of savior, a savior that will get them out from under the burdens of life. Death is used this way in abortion and euthanasia. The Christian, however, should never look at death as a savior. It is an enemy. Jesus, our Savior, has defeated death, but this does not make death our friend. Jesus uses death as His servant to bring Christians home to heaven. Therefore, when we conclude that God is calling us home, it is appropriate that we not take heroic measures to extend life. Sometimes we let nature take its course. However, this does not mean that hurrying the dying process along is permissible. Administering a poison, for example, would be murder. To take a human life is to put ourselves in God’s place. It shows a lack of trust in God. When God gives a gift, He always provides what is needed to carry the responsibilities that accompany the gift. Life is one of the most precious gifts God gives to us, and we can be confident that because of our Savior the burdens that we sometimes experience will not be too heavy for us to carry. The Apostle Paul states that whenever we are tempted God always provides a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13). This applies also in cases where we are tempted to end life. We should not think that we must carry the burdens of life alone. There are many people, including family, friends, social workers, and people in the medical profession, who can help us to carry the burdens. We trust that God will keep His promises and bless us. Therefore, we strive to treasure the gift of life. |
