The Gifts Hidden in the 10 Commandments - 5th Commandment
Dawn O'Hearn
by Rev. Jeff Hemmer
God gives us gifts, & not only at Christmastime - gifts that can only be received in the keeping of His commandments. This article is a continuation from previous blog posts.
The Fifth Commandment - You shall not murder.
Now & for the remaining 5 commandments, the recipient of the gift God intends to give shifts from you to your neighbor. And what gift does God intend to give with the Fifth Commandment?
Life. In particular, your neighbor's life.
Life is obviously a gift. (You didn't choose to be alive, did you?) God intends to give it fully & richly. And He intends for you to be the ne who watches out for your neighbor's life. You are given the responsibility to help & support your neighbor in any physical need. Breaking the commandment might not hurt you, but it obviously hurts your neighbor. Life is a good gift, given only by the Author of life, which He calls you to guard & protect.
From A-Z Stweardship Resources Collection (LCMS) & used with permission - to be continued next month with more gifts from the commandments.