May 31
The Continual Burnt Offering" Y ou have heard that it was said to those of old, “You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.” But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, “Raca!” shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, “You fool!” shall be in danger of hell fire."
God has said, “All souls are Mine” (Ezekiel 18:4). He alone has the right to say when life on earth shall end for any of its inhabitants. He has delegated certain powers to governments in order that evildoers may be dealt with righteously and as a warning to others (Genesis 9:5-6; Romans 13:4). But no one is authorized to take the law into his own hands and to slay his neighbor because of real or fancied offences. Behind the murderer’s hand is the malicious mind and the wicked heart. So our Lord Jesus shows us that he who despises his neighbor, he who hates his brother, is a potential murderer and therefore under condemnation of the moral law. This is emphasized in Exodus 20:13 and 1 John 3:15. When the grace of God controls the inward being, hatred and all phases of ill-will disappear, and love that does no harm to his neighbor, is presented. Therefore in this, as in all else, love is the fulfilling of the law.
Oh, that when Christians meet and part.
These words were graved on every heart—
They’re dear to God!
However willful and unwise.
We’ll look on them with loving eyes—
They’re dear to God!
When tempted to give pain for pain,
How would this thought our words restrain,
They’re dear to God!
When truth compels us to contend,
What love with all our strife should blend!
They’re dear to God!