Rooted in Truth: A Devotion in the Ten CommandmentsSample

Respecting Life

For Instruction

Since you probably haven't killed anyone this week and hopefully never will, are we just "okay" as far as this command goes? Well...no. This command applies at the heart level as well. Jesus tells us that whoever is angry with his brother will also face judgment (Matt 5:21-22). Jesus is here addressing the underlying hatred for our neighbor that lies at the root of all acts of harm or murder. So even if we haven't done the actual deed of killing another human being, we have all felt the basic contempt for another person from which all murder springs. None of us are as far from outright murder as we would like to think.

For Giving Thanks

God cares about our neighbor and therefore tells us not to harm them. It is easy to forget, however, that the reverse is also true. The command is addressed to our neighbor as well because God cares about us. Through this commandment, God is seeking to protect and safeguard your life from the harm that others might bring to it (Luther). That is something to be very thankful for!

For Confession

Have you ever been angry with someone and felt hatred in your heart towards them? Confess this to the Lord. Have you ever wished that someone was dead? Confess this to the Lord. Have you ever insulted anyone or spoken ill of them behind their backs? Confess this to the Lord. Has anyone ever come to harm because you have not helped them? (cf. Calvin). Confess this to the Lord.

For Prayer

Father God, you have graciously given us the gift of life. Help us to respect in our thoughts, emotions, and actions the life that you have given to us and the life that you have given to others. We know that hatred is the same as murder in your eyes and no murderer has eternal life (1 John 3:15). Yet we still see this hatred in our hearts for our fellow man when we wish they were gone, hope something bad happens to them, or simply desire for them to fail. Please by your mighty power continue to weed out this hatred from our hearts and replace it with your love, mercy, and compassion--the same love, mercy, and compassion that you have granted to us in Jesus Christ.