 "Thou shalt not kill" In my lifetime, there have been at least three major wars in which the United States has been involved. The Vietnam War, the First Gulf War, and now the War on Terrorism. In each, there were those who supported our involvement, and those who were equally vehement in their opposition to the war. In the case of those who opposed, often the protesters would use the verse, "Thou shalt not kill" to justify their opposition to any armed conflict in which blood is shed. On its face, that sounds noble and good. However, the Hebrew word used in Exodus is a word that refers to murder, not warfare. Murder is an act that is premeditated and deliberate. Murder, by definition, is the result of a thought process, and the heart attitude that leads to murder is the result of inappropriate anger and resentment and jealousy, and a whole host of other unhealthy attitudes. It is my prayer that we will see this in a much broader way. The headlines every day remind us in graphic ways that we are living in an increasing violent culture. This is neither an easy nor a simple topic to address. I am trusting the Lord that He will clarify it for us, and work those things in us that need to happen; to shape us into ones who please Him in every aspect of our lives. Pastor Jim |
