This study was first taught on April 7, 2010

Topic: God’s Standard for Murder

No audio available for this study.

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Background
Last week we saw that there is a righteousness that exceeds that of the Scribes and Pharisees; who were the ultimate authority on religious matters on earth in Jesus’ day. This righteousness is the righteousness of God. We noted that the righteousness of God is based on the finished work of Christ on the cross, which delivers from sin; and then empowers those saved to live as God wants them to, in the power of the Holy Spirit. We said it must begin from the heart of a transformed man, and then work its way outward.

Hence, we observed that the righteousness of God, contrary to that practiced by the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, is first inward, and then manifests outwardly in good works; and not merely an outward show of religion lacking spiritual life. It is attained by faith in Christ, who is the fulfillment of the Law, not through religious observance and personal efforts to fulfill the Law. It arises from the grace of God, not by seeking to earn it; and it cannot be lived in our own strength, but in the power of the Holy Spirit. It requires our genuine submission to God’s standard, not a pretentious life coerced by men’s regulations; and is living the word of God in practical terms, not the mere observance of the letter of the scriptures. It is holiness, not hypocrisy; and, it is God’s way, not our way.

We noted that without the righteousness of God, no one can enter into heaven. Hence, we cannot but thank God for giving us His Son, Jesus Christ, to be our righteousness; and the Holy Spirit to help us live righteously.

Scripture Text(s)
Matthew 5:21-26
Tonight, and for some weeks to come, we shall see the true standard associated with God’s commandments in the scriptures. The Lord, in buttressing His point on a righteousness that excels that of the religious leaders, gave a few examples from the commandments and requirements of God. In these examples, He notes how the religious leaders had interpreted them, and then goes on to tell us the true intent of these commandments and requirements, and also proffer how to live them out, if we are to be counted righteous before God. We pray that the Holy Spirit will open our eyes to behold wondrous truth out of the word of God.

In our text, tonight, the Lord gives us the intent of the sixth commandment, “Thou shalt not kill”; and the remedies that we need apply to our lives to be able to fulfill it and live it out, according to God’s standard.
The Lord notes that God’s standard for murder is not just the physical act of taking a life, but the seemingly minor emotions (heart condition) that gives rise to the physical act. Indeed, the punishment for murder is not just for killing a person; rather it takes account of what went on inside the murderer’s mind before the act was committed.
Exodus 20:13; Leviticus 24:17; Exodus 21:12-14; Leviticus 19:16-18; 1 John 3:15; Genesis 4:1-8; 37:4, 8, 10-11, 18-20; 1 Samuel 20:27-34; Esther 3:1-6; 2 Samuel 6:16, 20-23; 1 John 3:11-12; Hebrews 12:14; Romans 12:18-19; Matthew 18:21-35; James 3:2-12; Acts 2:1-4; Matthew 15:17-20; Psalms 119:11; Joshua 1:8; Romans 12:2; Proverbs 4:23; Philippians 4:6-8; Proverbs 19:11; 14:29; 2 Peter 1:5-6; 1 Samuel 15:22-23; Ephesians 4:26, 31-32.

Conclusion
God’s standard for murder is to look at what gives rise to the act. Hence, we are variously warned against uncontrolled and unjustified anger, despising others, and name calling. Indeed we have seen some biblical examples of the horrible consequences of allowing these seemingly ‘minor’ emotions to take control of us. And since the judgment of the root cause is as severe, nay, more severe, than on the actual physical act; we must deal decisively with these root causes.

To deal with the root causes of murder, and therefore be righteousness before God on the matter, you need to effect the following: (a) love all men (regardless of status, tribe, tongue, ethnicity, nationality, race, religion, gender); (b) promptly resolve both inner conflict and those between you and others before it is too late; (c) practice forgiveness on all matters from the heart; (d) bring your tongue under the control of the Holy Spirit; (e) be transformed in your heart by the word of God (f) be prayerful always; (g) occupy your mind with godly thoughts; (h) exercise self-restraint; and (i) engage in long suffering. Furthermore, (j) be more concerned with doing God’s word rather than performing religious service (which is unacceptable to God, except it is from a heart of obedience); and (k) seek the intervention of the Holy Spirit to rid you of all the ‘small’ things that give rise to murder: bitterness, envy, jealousy, etc.

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