Devotional #107

Question 107. But is it enough that we do not kill any man in the manner mentioned above?

Answer: No: for when God forbids envy, hatred, and anger, He commands us to love our neighbour as ourselves (a); to show patience, peace, meekness, mercy, and all kindness, towards him (b), and prevent His hurt as much as in us lies (c); and that we do good, even to our enemies (d).

(a) Matthew 7:12: “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Matthew 22:39: And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Romans 12:10: Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

(b) Ephesians 4:2: With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.
Galatians 6:1-2: Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Matthew 5:5: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Romans 12:18: If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Luke 6:36: Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
1 Peter 3:8: Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
Colossians 3:12: Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
Romans 12:10: Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
Romans 12:15: Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

(c) Exodus 23:5: If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying down under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it; you shall rescue it with him.

(d) Matthew 5:44-45: But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Romans 12:20-21: To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

For your personal reflection:
The implication of the commandment gets a bit more difficult today.  It’s not enough to simply refrain from wishing harm to our neighbor, now, indifference is revealed to us as sin.  If it is in our power to do good and we withold that good action (word, thought, etc.) we have harmed our neighbor.  This is the thought enshrined in our confession: “We confess that we have sinned against You in thouht, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone.”
How does the witholding of good when it is within our power “kill” our brother/sister?
What good have you withheld?