Topical Bible: Murder: Excludes from Heaven

◄ Murder: Excludes from Heaven ►

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Murder, the unlawful and premeditated taking of another human life, is a grievous sin that is explicitly condemned throughout the Bible. It is a violation of the sixth commandment, "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13), and is considered an affront to the sanctity of life, which is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).

The Bible consistently portrays murder as a sin that separates individuals from God and His kingdom. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul lists murder among the works of the flesh, warning that "those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God" (Galatians 5:21). This exclusion from heaven underscores the severity of murder as a sin that disrupts one's relationship with God and the community of believers.

The gravity of murder is further emphasized in the teachings of Jesus Christ. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus expands the understanding of murder beyond the physical act, addressing the heart's intentions: "But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment" (Matthew 5:22). This teaching highlights that harboring hatred or anger can be spiritually akin to murder, thus endangering one's eternal standing.

The Apostle John also addresses the spiritual implications of murder, equating hatred with murder: "Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer" (1 John 3:15). This passage reinforces the idea that murder, whether in action or intent, is incompatible with the life of a believer who seeks eternal communion with God.

The biblical narrative provides examples of murder and its consequences. The first murder, committed by Cain against his brother Abel (Genesis 4:8), resulted in Cain's banishment and a life marked by alienation from God. King David's orchestration of Uriah's death (2 Samuel 11:14-17) brought severe repercussions, including personal and national turmoil, despite David's later repentance.

While murder is a sin that excludes from heaven, the Bible also offers hope for redemption through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. The transformative power of the Gospel assures that even those guilty of murder can find forgiveness and restoration. The Apostle Paul, once a persecutor and accomplice to murder (Acts 8:1), became a leading figure in the early Church, demonstrating the possibility of redemption for all who turn to Christ.

In summary, murder is a sin that not only violates God's commandment but also jeopardizes one's eternal destiny. The Bible calls for a heart transformed by love and forgiveness, reflecting the character of Christ, who offers redemption to all who repent and believe.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Galatians 5:21
Contentions, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 22:15
For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and fornicators, and murderers, and idolaters, and whoever loves and makes a lie.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Homilies on Galatians and Ephesians.
... Drunkenness, excludes from Heaven, [218]69; its temporal ill effects,
[219]138. ... Murder, an instance of voluntary sin, [423]57. ...
/.../homilies on galatians and ephesians.htm

Index of Subjects.
... Indulgence, cruelty of, [857]108, [858]123; unfits for Heaven, [859]467. Innocents,
the murder of, why permitted, [860]55; was foretold, [861]57. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/index of subjects.htm

The Universality of Actual Grace
... the unforgivableness of the "three capital sins" (apostasy, murder, and adultery ...
defenders as an eternal decree by which God excludes from Heaven those not ...
/.../pohle/grace actual and habitual/section 3 the universality of.htm

Jowett -- Apostolic Optimism
... covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit ... A greater space
is given to "Heaven" than is ... immortal reign; Infinite day excludes the night ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume 10/jowett apostolic optimism.htm

Ephesians ii. 3-Jan
... no one impute cruelty to God, in that he excludes those who fail in this matter,
from the kingdom of Heaven. ... he is undone; and if he commits murder, and is ...
/.../homily iv ephesians ii 3-jan.htm

It Shall not be Forgiven.
... It is spiritual murder, the worst, to hate, to brood over the feeling that excludes,
that, in ... is neither schoolman nor theologian, but our Father in heaven. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/it shall not be forgiven.htm

The Third Part of the Articles.
... to be disobedient to parents, to murder, to be ... to others, as being superfluous to
us for heaven. ... is nothing but sin comprehends all sins excludes none, forgets ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the smalcald articles/the third part of the.htm

Family Habits.
... by no sense of duty, and which excludes all discipline ... man in India, who had committed
a murder, and in ... probationary and preparatory to a better home in heaven. ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xvii family habits.htm

A Description of Heart-Purity
... purity of life, no more than the pureness of the fountain excludes the pureness ... There
is no going to heaven in the dark ... (iv) Covetousness is the root of murder. ...
/.../16 a description of heart-purity.htm

Christianity Misunderstood by Believers.
... Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven and its ... who commanded on his deathbed the murder
of an ... Church, with its redemption and sacraments, excludes the teaching of ...
/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter iii christianity misunderstood by.htm