Friday, September 16, 1994

READ: 1 John 3:10-23

"VALUE HUMAN LIFE"

"You shall not murder."

Exodus 20:13

The Jews clearly understood that the sixth commandment refers to

murder -- the malicious taking of human life. It doesn't forbid

governments to use the death penalty or to wage war. This

commandment deals solely with private morality.

Exodus 20:13 is based on the divine truth that human life is

sacred and that we must protect and preserve it. Every human being

bears God's image. Even an embryo is marked with a unique identity

from the moment of conception. Life is God's most precious gift,

and only He has the right to take it. Abortion, euthanasia, and

physician-assisted suicide must all be viewed in the light of

God's right to our life.

Jesus brought the sixth commandment to everyone's doorstep when He

said that to be angry at someone without cause makes us guilty of

murder (Mt. 5:21-22). And John wrote, "Whoever hates his brother

is a murderer" (1 Jn. 3:15). This makes us all murderers in

desperate need of God's forgiveness and mercy.

Thank you, Lord, for Your love and forgiveness. Help us by Your

Holy Spirit to love others as You have loved us, and in so doing

to value life, protect life, and enrich life as a gift from you.

- Dennis J. Dehaan

POINTS TO PONDER

What did John mean when he said that if we hate someone we are

murderers? (1 Jn. 3:15). How does this truth help us to forgive

those who hurt us?

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

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ANGER is just one letter short of DANGER.