SIXTH COMMANDMENT: GUARDIANS OF GRACE!

1 John 4:7 (KJV): “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.”

ABSTRACT

This article delves into the profound meaning of the sixth commandment, exploring its extension beyond physical acts to encompass love, forgiveness, and the rejection of hatred. Drawing from Scripture and the insights of Ellen G. White, it highlights God’s love reflected in human relationships, our duties to God and others, and the spiritual consequences of inner attitudes, ultimately affirming that true fulfillment of the law lies in embodying Christ’s sacrificial love.

COMMANDMENT’S CORE REVEALED!

The sixth commandment, as outlined in Exodus 20:13, “Thou shalt not kill,” conveys a profound moral directive extending beyond the physical act of murder. Its teaching, reaffirmed in Leviticus 19:18, emphasizes love for others: “Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord.” These foundational principles reflect God’s expectation for humanity to preserve life and foster love. The Old Testament provided this instruction, setting a standard for personal and societal conduct. In its civil context, this law established justice without promoting personal vengeance. Ellen G. White, in Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing (p. 109, 1896), explains, “Eye for eye, tooth for tooth was a provision in the laws given through Moses; but it was a civil statute. None were justified in avenging themselves.” God declares in Deuteronomy 32:35, “To me belongeth vengeance and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.” Romans 12:19 instructs, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Ellen G. White further illuminates this in Patriarchs and Prophets, “All acts of injustice that tend to shorten life; the spirit of hatred and revenge, or the indulgence of any passion that leads to injurious acts toward others, or causes us even to wish them harm (for ‘whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer’); a self-centered neglect of caring for the needy or suffering; all self-indulgence or unnecessary deprivation or excessive labor that tends to injure health–all these are, to a greater or lesser degree, violations of the sixth commandment” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 308, 1890). In addition, she writes in The Desire of Ages, “The law of God takes note of the jealousy, envy, hatred, malignity, revenge, lust, and ambition that surge through the soul, but have not found expression in outward action, because the opportunity, not the will, has been wanting” (The Desire of Ages, p. 310, 1898). This teaching forms the groundwork for understanding how the sixth commandment aligns with God’s character and calls us to reflect His love. But how does God’s love shine through this commandment in our relationships?

LOVE’S DIVINE REFLECTION!

God’s love is reflected in the sixth commandment, calling for compassion, forgiveness, and selflessness in human relationships. The commandment highlights the sanctity of life, reinforcing God’s desire for reconciliation over retaliation. Sr. White affirms, “Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves” (The Desire of Ages, p. 25, 1898). This sacrificial love underpins God’s law, urging us to extend mercy and kindness to others. Romans 13:10 states, “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour,” emphasizing that love fulfills the law. She adds, “Love to man is the earthward manifestation of the love of God. It was to implant this love, to make us children of one family, that the King of glory became one with us” (The Desire of Ages, p. 638, 1898). Ephesians 4:32 commands, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Colossians 3:12-13 urges, “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” Sr. White emphasizes in The Signs of the Times, “The law of God requires that man shall love God supremely, and his neighbor as himself. When through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God is implanted in the soul, it will be manifested in good works” (The Signs of the Times, March 11, 1897). She also notes in Education, “The law of love calls for the devotion of body, mind, and soul to the service of God and our fellow men. And this service, while making us a blessing to others, brings the greatest blessing to ourselves” (Education, p. 16, 1903). Thus, the commandment reveals God’s purpose to foster unity and peace, ensuring His followers reflect divine love through their actions. But what responsibilities do we hold toward God in upholding this love?

Our responsibilities to God are rooted in obedience, reverence, and reflecting His character through love and compassion. Sr. White writes, “To love Him, the infinite, the omniscient One, with the whole strength, mind, and heart, means the highest development of every power” (Education, p. 18, 1903). This means honoring God by aligning our thoughts, words, and actions with His will. Christ declared, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15), emphasizing that true love for God manifests in faithful obedience. White further explains, “All His gifts are promised on condition of obedience” (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 145, 1900). Deuteronomy 10:12 asks, “And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,” 1 Samuel 15:22 declares, “And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” Sr. White states in Acts of the Apostles, “Christ came to magnify the law and make it honorable. He showed that it is based upon the broad foundation of love to God and love to man, and that obedience to its precepts comprises the whole duty of man” (Acts of the Apostles, p. 505, 1911). She adds in Patriarchs and Prophets, “Through the grace of Christ we shall live in obedience to the law of God written upon our hearts. Having the Spirit of Christ, we shall walk even as He walked” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 372, 1890). Obedience to God not only shows devotion but also acknowledges His authority and sovereignty. By nurturing love and forgiveness, we mirror God’s grace, fulfilling our divine purpose and drawing others closer to Him. But how do these responsibilities extend to those around us?

Our responsibilities to our neighbors involve demonstrating love, compassion, and service by Christ’s teachings. Jesus commanded in Matthew 22:39, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Sr. White reinforces this principle, stating, “In the work of saving the lost, we are God’s helping hand” (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 197, 1900). Acts of kindness, such as helping those in need, reflect God’s love and align with His law. White further notes, “The strongest argument in favor of the gospel is a loving and lovable Christian” (The Ministry of Healing, p. 470, 1905). Galatians 6:2 directs, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Luke 6:37 advises, “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:” Sr. White explains in Christ’s Object Lessons, “Our neighbour is every person who needs our help. Our neighbour is every soul who is wounded and bruised by the adversary. Our neighbour is everyone who is the property of God” (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 376, 1900). She also writes in The Signs of the Times, “The second commandment is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. The love of God and of man is specified in the law as the fulfillment of righteousness” (The Signs of the Times, March 11, 1897). By treating our neighbors with respect and compassion, we obey God’s commandments and become living witnesses of His grace, drawing others toward Him. But what deeper spiritual layers does Jesus add to this commandment?

HEART’S HIDDEN HAZARDS!

Jesus deepened the understanding of the sixth commandment by addressing its spiritual implications in Matthew 5:21-22: “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” He taught that even harboring anger or hatred toward another violates the commandment. Sr. White elaborates, “The Saviour’s words revealed to His hearers the fact that, while they were condemning others as transgressors, they were themselves equally guilty; for they were cherishing malice and hatred. … The spirit of hatred and revenge originated with Satan; and it led him to put to death the Son of God. Whoever cherishes malice or unkindness is cherishing the same spirit; and its fruit will be unto death. In the revengeful thought the evil deed lies enfolded, as the plant in the seed” (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, pp. 86, 89, 1896). Anger and unkindness emerge as seeds of destruction, capable of bearing deadly fruit. Ephesians 4:26-27 warns, “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.” James 1:19-20 counsels, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” Sr. White warns in The Desire of Ages, “Those who at any supposed provocation feel at liberty to indulge anger or resentment are opening the heart to Satan. Bitterness and animosity must be banished from the soul if we would be in harmony with heaven” (The Desire of Ages, p. 310, 1898). She further cautions in Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, “The spirit of hatred and revenge originated with Satan, and it led him to put to death the Son of God. Whoever cherishes malice or unkindness is cherishing the same spirit, and its fruit will be unto death. In the revengeful thought the evil deed lies enfolded, as the plant in the seed” (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 56, 1896). By addressing not just actions but inner attitudes, Christ emphasized the heart’s transformation as central to truly keeping this commandment. But why does love hold such value while hatred brings such danger?

LOVE’S POWER VS. HATE’S PERIL!

The apostle John also emphasized the value of love and the destructive nature of hatred in 1 John 3:15: “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” Sr. White expands on this concept, “In the gift of His Son for our redemption, God has shown how high a value He places upon every human soul, and He gives to no man liberty to speak contemptuously of another. … God will hold us accountable for even a word spoken in contempt of one soul for whom Christ laid down His life.” (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 89, 1896). Sr. White further adds, “It is not the greatness of the act of disobedience that constitutes sin, but the fact of variance from God’s expressed will in the least particular; for this is a denial of the sovereignty of God” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 55, 1890). 1 John 4:20 questions, “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” Proverbs 10:12 states, “Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.” Sr. White observes in Our Father Cares, “A man at peace with God and his fellow men cannot be made miserable. Envy will not be in his heart; evil surmising will find no room there; hatred cannot exist. The heart in harmony with God is lifted above the annoyances and trials of this life” (Our Father Cares, p. 51, 1991). She also notes in Sons and Daughters of God, “How many are deficient in love! O, that love might eradicate from the heart hatred, emulation, and strife, and the root of bitterness, whereby many are defiled. When love fills the heart, gratitude to God springs up, and we rejoice in our heavenly Father” (Sons and Daughters of God, p. 50, 1955). The lesson is clear: cherishing malice or speaking contemptuously contradicts the love of Christ, who valued every soul enough to lay down His life. Thus, keeping the sixth commandment is not only about refraining from murder but also about nurturing a spirit of love and forgiveness. But how does love ultimately fulfill this commandment?

LOVE’S ULTIMATE TRIUMPH!

The fulfillment of the sixth commandment is encapsulated in Christ’s call to love one another, as highlighted in Romans 13:10: “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” This aligns with Jesus’ commandment in John 13:34: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” Such love extends even to enemies, as shown in Matthew 5:43-47: “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Proverbs 25:21-22 reiterates this principle: “If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.” Sr. White explains further, “Jesus would employ none of Satan’s weapons. He met him with the words, ‘The Lord rebuke thee.’ His example is for us. When we are brought in conflict with the enemies of Christ, we should say nothing in a spirit of retaliation, or that would bear even the appearance of a railing accusation.” (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 90, 1896). She further reminds us, “Only the love that flows from the heart of Christ can heal. He who is imbued with that love will seek to reach others in the same spirit of compassion” (The Ministry of Healing, p. 157, 1905). 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 describes, “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” Galatians 5:22-23 lists, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Sr. White affirms in This Day with God, “The attribute that Christ appreciates most in man is charity out of a pure heart. This is the fruit borne upon the Christian tree” (This Day with God, p. 363, 1979). She adds in Heaven Bound, “It was Christ who, amid thunder and flame, had proclaimed the law upon Mount Sinai. The glory of God, like devouring fire, rested upon its summit, and the mountain quaked at the presence of the Lord. The hosts of Israel, lying prostrate upon the earth, had listened in awe to the sacred precepts of the law” (Heaven Bound, p. 172, 1995). These examples illustrate that the sixth commandment is fulfilled not just by avoiding harm but by actively embodying God’s love toward all, even those who oppose us.

If you have a prayer request, please leave it in the comments below. Prayer meetings are held on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. To join, enter your email address in the comments section.

PEOPLE OF THE BOOK

SIXTH COMMANDMENT: GUARDIANS OF GRACE!

Leave a comment Cancel reply