Proverbs 6:16-17. 16There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: 17… hands that shed innocent blood.
This next sin that God hates is a big one – shedding innocent blood.
From eyes, to tongue, to hands. From pride, to lying, to violence. The Bible is full of this fatal progression. Cain with Abel. David with Uriah. The Jewish authorities with Jesus. The journey from pride, to false witness, to harming the innocent is not a far off stretch reserved only for the deranged. Any of us can fall into this same downward spiral. Yes, even to the point of violence, and even to murder.
God hates murder. He hates the harming of the innocent. Why? Because as Genesis 9 says, man is made in the image of God. Every human life belongs to God. We are all his to control. To take life is to play God. It is the ultimate in pride, rebellion, and treachery.
Maybe you’re thinking I would never murder anyone. I would never shed innocent blood. So what’s the next verse?
Well anyone who knows the Sermon on the Mount knows better. Jesus taught us that hatred is equal to murder in God’s legal system. When we hate someone we have killed them in our hearts. Anger and murder are steps on the same path. First comes anger then comes violence. And whatever form that violence takes it is an abomination to the God who loves his creation enough to die for it.
Jesus was an innocent person whose blood was shed by the hands of angry people. When Jesus was nailed to the cross God hated it. But God also loved those people so much that he let Jesus die for them, and for you and for me. And, like those people that crucified Jesus, we’re not innocent either, are we? Jesus was innocent and his blood was shed, but we are NOT innocent and yet God chose to save us not hurt us.
The more we trust in this unfathomable love and mercy, the more we will be able to control our hatred and anger and not harm others, not even with our words.
You: Who have you been angry with lately?
You in Christ: How does trusting God’s great love for us allow us to replace our hatred with that love?Have you been able to experience this replacement?
Christ in you: Are there any innocent people that you have harmed with angry words or deeds? How might Jesus in you want you to make amends?
Pray: Jesus, you were innocent yet you died for me. Help me to that love to diminish my anger. Amen.
To Live is Christ 