Matters of the Hand and Heart

Matters of the Hand and Heart
Words of Faith 12-20-2022
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2022
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Exodus 20
[13] "You shall not murder.

How do we love God with our whole being and neighbor as ourselves? Do not murder? It seems to be a relatively low bar. ("Lord, I was very loving today... I didn't murder a single person!") But again, we see that the Law draws the extreme boundary of what is forbidden. This law defines the abyss of not loving at its extreme but also defines the heart that leads to the abyss. Of course, we are called foremost to love our neighbor, but whatever you do, don't murder.
Murder is significant because life is the most fundamental gift from God. Selfishly destroying such life is the greatest sin against a neighbor. Human life is the one common gift given to the rich and the poor and given just once. Only God gives life. For that reason alone, it is sacred.
The number of our years or days is not known. And because human life is sacred, its beginning and end are God's prerogatives. To step into that place is to defy the first command to have no other gods. Forbidding murder is also the most fundamental of community covenants. Humans are made in the image of God. To selfishly raise the heart and hand to take human life is the most irreversible and heinous crime we can commit against a neighbor.
So what is "murder"? There are seven words in Hebrew for killing. The word used here is rasah, and it implies premeditation and intention. Motive is not addressed directly, but a selfish motive is implied.
The word used here does not refer to killing animals, defense from a nighttime intruder, accidental killing, execution of murderers by the state, or involvement in certain types of war. The word applies to self-murder, an accessory to murder, and those who have authority but fail to punish known murderers. This verse cannot be brought into discussions of pacifism, capital punishment, or vegetarianism because the word used here simply does not apply.
If the law at Sinai sets the extreme boundary, we must also know that Jesus Himself raised the bar significantly in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus taught that it was not enough simply to "not murder." There is the matter of the heart. Thought and intention, even if not carried out, are sinful and damaging.
Jesus declared that if anyone continues in unresolved anger against another person, they are subject to the same judgment. Jesus proclaimed that to deride another person's character was to be in danger of hell. Jesus declared that we should seek reconciliation with those who bear a grudge or accusation against us. We are to settle matters quickly to avoid the conflicts that end up in court (Matthew 5:21-26). Apparently, issues of the heart are of great significance to the Lord.
So how are we "flying" with this instruction? For most of us, this is a consideration of the heart and mouth. Is there a "continuing anger" toward a person, bitterness, or grudge? Have we nursed anger so that it has become bitterness? Has my mouth committed murder lately?
And what about those who have anger toward me? Am I reconciled? We cannot always be reconciled, but has the effort been made sincerely to seek reconciliation and settle matters? This is the hard path of love. Jesus said that if we love only those who love us, what reward will there be in that?

Father God, teach me a deep respect for human life created in Your image. Show me the way of love so that I may be at peace with those around me and reconciled where there has been conflict. Reveal in me the harsh words and thoughts that may offend You. Cleanse my heart, O God. In Jesus' name.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2022
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2022 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.