In every sin we commit, we hurt someone in a certain way; but if we kill a man we destroy him completely and put an end to his existence on earth. Killing is a sin that affects man’s life, and its danger lies in the fact that man’s life is not his own, but God’s who is the only One who possesses people’s destiny. Nobody may replace Him in this regard or control people’s destiny. It is God alone who holds the keys of life and death.
Besides, the sin of killing is serious because it is an irreversible act. One may probably compensate any man for a loss one has caused him. One may also apologize to someone for any insult one has dealt him, thus restoring him his dignity. But killing can never be rectified since one cannot restore the life one takes away.
The sin of killing becomes more serious when one kills a man and ends his life before he repents, for this deprives him of any chance to get prepared for his eternal life. So, he is killed both spiritually and physically. It’s an evil act one would have done. Moreover, the killer becomes a self–killer, since the sin he commits is liable to lead him to his own perdition.
All this is true about killing an evil person. But how about killing a good person? It is also considered very serious because it means a loss of benefits likely to be obtained from him as a member of society. Therefore, the more useful the person killed, the greater the responsibility the killer bears. So, killing a man is (1) a crime and (2) depriving his society of any benefit such a person could render to it, is another crime. The weight of this crime depends upon the number of people benefiting from him and how great the benefit is.
So, the killing of prophets and messengers is a great crime and that is why our Lord Jesus Christ blamed Jerusalem, as it “Kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her”, (Matthew 23: 37). Jesus also said, “On you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of the righteous Abel to the blood of Zacharias, son of Barachias, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.” (Matthew 23:35). The words “all the blood of just men” when Abel was killed, God said to Cain: “Your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.” (Genesis 4: 10) Abel never complained, but heavenly justice claimed its rights because God takes revenge on those who shed blood.
How just the Lord God is? He not only avenged Abel, but when the malicious Cain said to God, “You have driven me out this day from the face of the ground…and anyone who finds me will kill me,” God answered him saying: “Whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord set a mark on Cain lest any one finding him should kill him. (Genesis 4: 14, 15).
“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord,” (Romans 12:19). God never leaves anybody killed without taking revenge. Even those who were slain for the love of God’s word and for the truth they upheld were promised by the Holy Lord that He would sit in judgment, and give vengeance for their blood from all those who dwelt on the earth, (Revelation 6:10).
There are some miserable persons who try to give themselves excuses for any blood they shed. People like Pilate kept washing their hands over and over again from blood, but it never came out of them despite all the excuses they gave to themselves. Pilate himself took some water and washed his hand in front of the crowd, saying, “I am not responsible for the death of this man!” Yet the blood of that Man haunted him until the end of his life and forever.
Therefore, thou shall not kill!
