Fifth Commandment: You shall not kill.

The words of Jesus add depth to this Fifth Commandment: “Everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment.” Jesus reminds us of the basic principle that life is sacred. This is universal: in response to dishonoring life, there is something in all of us that says, “there is something not quite right about that.” Why? Because God is writing the Law on our hearts, especially after Jesus came.

In an ancient world – when even human sacrifices were still present – only the One God is able to teach us that all life comes from Him and only Him. Both our dignity and the dignity of the other compel us to honor the image of God in every human person and to honor the holiness of the Creator, who knew us before he formed us.