Date Published: February 23rd, 2014
Fear the Lord and obey his commands! He will love you and bless you.
Fear the Lord: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his percepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise” (Psalm 111:10). According to the Holy Bible, God requires every human being to love him, and loving God means obeying his commands. Looking at the current population on earth, approximately there are 4,200 religions in the world. However, within the estimated number of religions, there are sub-groups of religions. Example in the Islam religion you have a group known as the: Babism and Ahmadiayya Muslim Community, etc. And in Christianity, you have groups such as the Roman Catholic Church and Protestantism, etc. Despite these sub-groups of religious practice, about 99 % of these religions have one common belief and that there is one God, a true living God, a father of all nations and he is the creator of the universe. Based on this common religious belief, true believers should love God, meaning to obey his commands according to their religious beliefs and practice. The question is, why most religious believers are disobeying God’s Commands? In the Holy Bible for example, there are Ten Commandments, and amongst these commandments, the two most important commandments are stated as “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your. Mind, and with all your strength” The second is this “Love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no commandment greater than these. (Mark 12:30-31). On these two commandments hang all commandments. These two commandments are found in the Islam religion as well as in Christianity, and very likely in other religions that believe in God, because these commandments are part of God’s Laws whom they believe. But why are they fighting against each other, to the extent killing other religious believers around the world? The killing is most common between Christians and Muslims, and it is highly handed by Muslims against Christians, despite that they are all serving the one God they believe in, but disobeying his command which says: “You shall not murder.” (Exodus 20:13). This same commandment you find in the Islam religion, and in “The Noble Qu’ran.” Pretty much one would find this same commandment in other religions that believe in God, and claimed to love God, yet failed to obey his commands which says “you should not kill your fellow human being. What makes human life precious? Consider it from God’s point of view. He made us in his own image for the purpose of creating us in his own character. For that reason he is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9; compare 1 Timothy 2:4). As Jesus Christ explained, “God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:17).
In our world however, human life is so often treated with indifference. We settle our differences with wars, killing hundreds of thousands of the people in the process, criminals steal not only possessions, but their victims’ lives. So many people view an unwanted pregnancy as simply an inconvenience or an unexpected consequence of their sexual activity that millions of unborn babies as aborted every year. What a sad contrast to our creator, who promises us the greatest gift possible, the opportunity to share eternal life with him? The murder of the day is commonly the first topic featured on television news program, especially in larger cities. Many such slayings are committed by family members of formerly close associates or friends. Random killings from gangs and street violence add to the climate of fear in many communities. Homicides are linked to other crimes and drugs are all too common. Untold thousands around the world fall victim to mass murder in the name of politics and ideology. Murder touches the life of almost everyone on earth. In supposedly advanced society, television, and motion pictures barrage citizens with murders and carnage. Violence is so inextricably woven into the fabric of society that we glamorize it in our literature and entertainment.
It’s ironic that, in spite of our fascination with murder, we follow the example of most societies throughout history in passing strict laws against it. Few people indeed, have ever needed to be convinced that murder within their community was wrong. However, other challenges concerning the value and sanctity of human life tends to generate controversy, particularly the execution of criminals by the state. Is capital punishment the same as murder? And what does God say about war? Why did God allow ancient Israel to take human life in battles with other nations? Was that a violation of the Sixth Commandment?
The real issue
At the heart of these questions is this issue: Who possesses the authority to take human life? Who has the right to make that decision? The emphasis is the Sixth Commandment is on the word “you.” You shall not murder! You are not to deliberately kill-premeditatedly or in the anger of the moment. We must control our tempers. Taking another person’s life is not our right to decide. That judgment is reserved for God alone. That is the thrust of his commandment. God does not allow us to choose to willfully; deliberately take another person’s life. The Sixth Commandment reminds us that God is the giver of life, and he alone has the authority to take it or grant humans permission to take it. The Sixth Commandment does not specifically apply to manslaughter-deaths caused accidentally through carelessness or other unintentional actions. Such deaths, although serious occurrences, are not considered–by the laws of God or man–to fall into the same category as premeditated murder.
Justice VS. Mercy
God’s preference is far for us to be merciful. He is especially merciful to anyone who repents. “Say to them As I live,” says the Lord God, “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live” (Ezekiel 33:11). That is how God thinks, that is the way He wants us to think. So killing your fellow human being is totally wrong and unacceptably from God’s standing point of view as the creator of every human being. Those killing other people, can their conscious be their guide particularly those killing their fellow human being because of power, wealth, and for other reasons? Do they not believe that they too would surely die? What person alive will not die? Who can escape the grave? (Psalm 89:48). The same thing happens to animals and to people; they both have the same berth, so they both die. Both end up the same way; both came from dust and both go back to dust. (Ecclesiastes3:19a-20). See, even wise people die, fools and stupid people also die and leave their wealth to others. Even rich people do not live forever; like animals, people die. But God will save the lives of those who love him, meaning obeying his commands and those believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and savior will have eternal life.
In conclusion to this scripture, it is extremely important for those who say they believe in God as the only living God, and creator of the universe and as well as themselves as human beings, to obey God’s commandments. Fear him, be kind to other people. Those fighting for power, material wealth, money, billions and trillions of dollars in banks, exploiting others for you own enrichment, while other people are suffering around the world, remember that all those wealth will be left in this world, you wont go with any of your wealth, and every human being will face the Almighty God for judgment according to the scripture. And to those unbelievers, I say to you to repent, and believe that there is a true living God, who created the universe and yourself. If you love God, fear him and put him first. God will love you and bless you. One thing that every human being should know is that God’s love will never fail or change if you love him, meaning obeying his commands. God will bless those who have ears to hear. Disobedient human beings repent! Unbelievers repent! Killers/Murderers stop the killing repent! Obey God’s commands. Love Him and his Son Jesus Christ as our savior. Their love never fails. It never gives up, and it’s never runs out on you! If you obey God’s Commandments, he will show mercy to you.
In our world however, human life is so often treated with indifference. We settle our differences with wars, killing hundreds of thousands of the people in the process, criminals steal not only possessions, but their victims’ lives. So many people view an unwanted pregnancy as simply an inconvenience or an unexpected consequence of their sexual activity that millions of unborn babies as aborted every year. What a sad contrast to our creator, who promises us the greatest gift possible, the opportunity to share eternal life with him? The murder of the day is commonly the first topic featured on television news program, especially in larger cities. Many such slayings are committed by family members of formerly close associates or friends. Random killings from gangs and street violence add to the climate of fear in many communities. Homicides are linked to other crimes and drugs are all too common. Untold thousands around the world fall victim to mass murder in the name of politics and ideology. Murder touches the life of almost everyone on earth. In supposedly advanced society, television, and motion pictures barrage citizens with murders and carnage. Violence is so inextricably woven into the fabric of society that we glamorize it in our literature and entertainment.
It’s ironic that, in spite of our fascination with murder, we follow the example of most societies throughout history in passing strict laws against it. Few people indeed, have ever needed to be convinced that murder within their community was wrong. However, other challenges concerning the value and sanctity of human life tends to generate controversy, particularly the execution of criminals by the state. Is capital punishment the same as murder? And what does God say about war? Why did God allow ancient Israel to take human life in battles with other nations? Was that a violation of the Sixth Commandment?
The real issue
At the heart of these questions is this issue: Who possesses the authority to take human life? Who has the right to make that decision? The emphasis is the Sixth Commandment is on the word “you.” You shall not murder! You are not to deliberately kill-premeditatedly or in the anger of the moment. We must control our tempers. Taking another person’s life is not our right to decide. That judgment is reserved for God alone. That is the thrust of his commandment. God does not allow us to choose to willfully; deliberately take another person’s life. The Sixth Commandment reminds us that God is the giver of life, and he alone has the authority to take it or grant humans permission to take it. The Sixth Commandment does not specifically apply to manslaughter-deaths caused accidentally through carelessness or other unintentional actions. Such deaths, although serious occurrences, are not considered–by the laws of God or man–to fall into the same category as premeditated murder.
Justice VS. Mercy
God’s preference is far for us to be merciful. He is especially merciful to anyone who repents. “Say to them As I live,” says the Lord God, “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live” (Ezekiel 33:11). That is how God thinks, that is the way He wants us to think. So killing your fellow human being is totally wrong and unacceptably from God’s standing point of view as the creator of every human being. Those killing other people, can their conscious be their guide particularly those killing their fellow human being because of power, wealth, and for other reasons? Do they not believe that they too would surely die? What person alive will not die? Who can escape the grave? (Psalm 89:48). The same thing happens to animals and to people; they both have the same berth, so they both die. Both end up the same way; both came from dust and both go back to dust. (Ecclesiastes3:19a-20). See, even wise people die, fools and stupid people also die and leave their wealth to others. Even rich people do not live forever; like animals, people die. But God will save the lives of those who love him, meaning obeying his commands and those believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and savior will have eternal life.
In conclusion to this scripture, it is extremely important for those who say they believe in God as the only living God, and creator of the universe and as well as themselves as human beings, to obey God’s commandments. Fear him, be kind to other people. Those fighting for power, material wealth, money, billions and trillions of dollars in banks, exploiting others for you own enrichment, while other people are suffering around the world, remember that all those wealth will be left in this world, you wont go with any of your wealth, and every human being will face the Almighty God for judgment according to the scripture. And to those unbelievers, I say to you to repent, and believe that there is a true living God, who created the universe and yourself. If you love God, fear him and put him first. God will love you and bless you. One thing that every human being should know is that God’s love will never fail or change if you love him, meaning obeying his commands. God will bless those who have ears to hear. Disobedient human beings repent! Unbelievers repent! Killers/Murderers stop the killing repent! Obey God’s commands. Love Him and his Son Jesus Christ as our savior. Their love never fails. It never gives up, and it’s never runs out on you! If you obey God’s Commandments, he will show mercy to you.