“You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13).

As the children of our God and King, we strive to live up to our royal pedigree. Are we sinful and broken? Absolutely. But with God’s help we try to grow in Christlikeness and reflect the one in whose image we are made.

One of the ways we do this is to live by the 10 Commandments. They are not random. They reflect God’s character. For example, we should not bear false witness against our neighbour because God is a God of truth. 

In a similar way, we should not murder because God is a life-giving God. Generally speaking, when you are life-giving you are reflecting God, when you are life-taking you are playing God.

The Bible speaks about being godly and “like Jesus.” We should reflect his grace and truth. At the same time there are things God does which we should not do—like, for example, being the final judge over someone’s soul. That job is reserved for God, not us.

The same is true when it comes to giving and taking life. We are to reflect the live-giving character of God, but we should leave the life-taking to him.

Richard Mouw speaks poetically when he says: “God created all human beings. Even the shattered and broken ones are still his original works of art.”

Life is intentional, not accidental. Life is incredible, not expendable. 

Most of you probably agree with this. But let’s try to extend the idea of being “life-giving” to all areas of our lives. When our thoughts are life-giving they are centred on Christ and committed to the well-being of others. When our words are life-giving they are seeking to bless, speak truth, and encourage others. When our actions are life-giving they overflow from a place of love and are respectful toward others.

Generally speaking, when you are life-giving you are reflecting God, when you are life-taking you are playing God.

Let’s give life, and in so doing shine with the royal pedigree of our God and King.

Notes:

-“Murder, Manslaughter, War, Hunting, Abortion, Suicide, Euthanasia—and Anger.” Sermon. Click here, or tune in on ‘The Pulse Podcast with Matthew Ruttan’ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.

-*Richard Mouw, Uncommon Decency: Christian Civility in an Uncivil World (Downers Grove: IVP Press, 2010), 73.

-Bible quotes are from the NIV.