The Sixth Commandment, Ex 20:13
 
 1. "Respect Human Life"  guard the sanctity of human life.
  a. Life was cheap in many ancient cultures.
     Babies in dumps; Gladiators; rulers killing family and
     friends.
    (1) Greeks and Romans
    (2) Today, 23,000 murders in 1980; 1 1/2 million
        abortions.
  b.  Human life is sacred.
     Gen 1:26,27
     Gen 9:6
     Matt 5:21-22
     Rev 21:8
 In every dispensation, human life was to be respected.

 2. Some things NOT prohibited (under Old Test)
   a. This doesn't mean ALL taking of life is sin.
     (1) Hebrew word = malicious and unjustified killing,
         murder
     (2) Deut 19:11-13 - penalty for murder is death 
         (literal)
          3 types of homicides
           Premeditated, accidental, justifiable.
     (3) Law condemned ALL murder, but not ALL killing.
          a. Num 35:16-21, premeditated, or out of anger
          b. Num 35:22-28, accidental killing, Num 35:11
          c. Ex 22:2, justifiable homicide
  b. Captial punishment is not prohibited
     1. Old Test. required it for:
        a. murder, Gen 9:6
        b. rape/adultery, Deut 22:23-25
        c. kidnapping, Ex 21:16
        d. many others (striking parents; rebellious son)
  c. Police action
     Ex 32:25-28
     I Pet 2:13-14
  d. Even justified wars are not prohibited.
    (1) Old Test. (I Sam 15:1-3) destroy the Amalekites.
    (2) New Test. soldiers not required to give up careers
        for Christianity.  Also, Rom 13:3-4
    (3) Justified = self-defense; protect national security.

 3.  Some things prohibited by this 6th rule
   a. obviously, murder
   b. hatred
   Matt 15:19
   Matt 5:21-22
   I John 3:15
      hatred has no place in the lives of those committed to
      living by God's rules.
   c. abortion
   Ps 139:13-16
   d. suicide and euthanasia
 4.  As you can see, this rule involves more than only the
     murderers!
 5.  Human life is sacred!
 
 ==END==