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Comprehending Pink’s Commandments Part 37

Foreword:

The following exerpt is taken from The Ten Commandments  by Arthur W. Pink

(BAKER BOOK HOUSE, 1994 GRAND RAPIDS, MI)

In this blog series I will work through this very important article a paragraph at a time – asking my reader comprehension style questions at the end. I have been much convicted by the writings of Pink and I pray your walk will also be strengthened meditating on his teaching of scripture …

THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT PART III

There is one other exception, namely, accidental slaying, which is not chargeable with murder, that is, when life is taken without any intention of so doing. Such a case we find mentioned in Scripture, as when hewing wood the axe should slip and undesignedly kill a neighbor (Deut. 19:5). For such innocent slayers the Lord appointed cities of refuge, whither they could find safe asylum from the avenger of blood. But let it be pointed out that we must be employed about lawful things. Otherwise, if we are engaged in what is unjustified and it leads to the death of another, this cannot be excused from murder (see Ex. 21:22-24).

Next let us consider cases of murder. Suicide is self- murder, and is one of the most desperate crimes which can be committed. Inasmuch as this sin precludes repentance on the part of its perpetrator, it is beyond forgiveness. Such creatures are so abandoned by Go as to have no concern for their eternal salvation, seeing they pass into the immediate presence of their judge with their hands imbrued in their own blood. Such are self- murderers, for they destroy not only their bodies but their souls, too.

1) Pink doesn’t mention it but what are your thoughts on wilful neglegence if this leads to the death of another?

2) Do you agree with Pink’s assessment of suicide – that the one who kills themselves is beyond redemption – in the light of modern psychology and the clear fact that even Christians might suffer boughts of depression, seasons of sinfulness and stupidity? Is his stance a relic of Roman Catholic teaching or can a truly biblical case be made for his blanket statement condemning all suicides (consider how Mark 3:28-39 may show that Pink is wrong here)?

 Mark 3:28-39
Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”
 

 

Comprehending Pink’s Commandments Part 36

Foreword:

The following exerpt is taken from The Ten Commandments  by Arthur W. Pink

(BAKER BOOK HOUSE, 1994 GRAND RAPIDS, MI)

In this blog series I will work through this very important article a paragraph at a time – asking my reader comprehension style questions at the end. I have been much convicted by the writings of Pink and I pray your walk will also be strengthened meditating on his teaching of scripture …

THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT PART II

Let us begin by pointing out that every killing of a man is not murder. It is not so in the execution of justice, when the magistrate sentences a slayer, for he is vested with lawful authority to put capital offenders to death, and if he fails to do so, then God will charge it upon him as sin. "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed" (Gen. 9:6). These words state the general and unchanging principle. "Thine eye shall not pity, but life shall go for life" (Deut. 19:21). This is God's order to the magistrate. Nor is the shedding of blood in a righteous war chargeable with murder. It is lawful to take up arms against an invader and to recover what has been unjustly taken away. Thus David pursued the Amalekites who had carried away his wives captive. It is also lawful in order to punish some great injury or wrong. David made war upon the Ammonites for their outraging of his ambassadors (2 Sam. 10).

As there are some who decry this assertion and denounce all war as unlawful in this Christian dispensation, let us point out that when soldiers came to Christ's forerunner for instruction saying, "What shall we do?" (Luke 3:14), he did not say, Fight no more, abandon your calling, but gave them directions how they should conduct themselves. When the centurion came to the Savior and drew arguments from his military calling, our Lord did not condemn his profession or rebuke him for holding such an office. Instead, He highly commended his faith (Luke 7:8, 9). When examined by Pilate Christ declared, "My kingdom is not of this world: if My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is My kingdom not from hence" (John 18:36). Those words clearly imply that though carnal means were improper for advancing Christ's spiritual kingdom, yet had not His state of humiliation prevented His assuming the royal scepter, His followers might lawfully have fought to defend His title.

1) By disregarding this principle: "Thine eye shall not pity, but life shall go for life" (Deut. 19:21), consider how a prison sytem can actually breed more murders rather than rehabilitate them. Discuss how, or how not, by disregarding God’s instruction on this issue we perpetuate the very conditions that make capital punishment necessary.  Society pays to house, feed and entertain murderers who then train others in their company to murder. Or is this too simplistic a view?

2) When is killing laweful other than as a state executioner?

3) Discuss the difference between homicide and murder and also consider the difference between negligent or accidental homicide.

4) What, in your own words, is God’s view on war?

Comprehending Pink’s Commandments Part 35

Foreword:

The following exerpt is taken from The Ten Commandments  by Arthur W. Pink

(BAKER BOOK HOUSE, 1994 GRAND RAPIDS, MI)

In this blog series I will work through this very important article a paragraph at a time – asking my reader comprehension style questions at the end. I have been much convicted by the writings of Pink and I pray your walk will also be strengthened meditating on his teaching of scripture …

THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT PART I

"Thou shalt not kill" (Ex. 20:13). In the first five Commandments we have seen how God safeguarded His own glory; in the second five we are to behold how He provides for the security and well-being of men: (1) for the protection of man's person; (2) for the sanctity and good of his family ("thou shalt not commit adultery"); (3) for the safety of his estate and substance ("thou shalt not steal"); (4) for his reputation or good name ("thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour"). Finally, as a strong fence encircling the whole Law, God not only prohibits outward crimes, but inward motions of evil in our thoughts and affections ("thou shalt not covet"). It is the first of these regulations which specially relates to our neighbor that we shall now consider: "thou shalt not kill." This sixth Commandment prohibits that barbarous and inhuman sin of murder, which is the firstborn of the Devil, who was "a murderer from the beginning" (John 8:44). It is the first crime we read of after the fall of Adam and Eve, wherein the corruption transmitted to their descendants was fearfully displayed by Cain. His rancor and enmity goaded him to slay Abel, because his brother's "works were righteous and his own evil" (1 John 3:12). But this commandment is not restricted to forbidding the actual crime of murder. It also prohibits all the degrees and causes of murder, such as rash anger and hatred, slanders and revenge, and whatever else may prejudice the safety of our neighbor or tempt us to see him perish when it is in our power to relieve and rescue him.

1) Can you recall how Jesus summarised all the commandments into two single statements one pertaining largely to the first five commandments and the second to the last five commandments. Some people have referred to the commandments as having a vertical (God-ward) component and lateral (neighbour-ward) component. Do you feel you excell in one of these over the other? How does failure in one component result in or imply failure in both?

2) “It also prohibits all the degrees and causes of murder, such as rash anger and hatred, slanders and revenge, and whatever else may prejudice the safety of our neighbor or tempt us to see him perish when it is in our power to relieve and rescue him.” Explain the ‘slippery slope’ principle in view here.

Comprehending Pink’s Commandments Part 34

Foreword:

The following exerpt is taken from The Ten Commandments  by Arthur W. Pink

(BAKER BOOK HOUSE, 1994 GRAND RAPIDS, MI)

In this blog series I will work through this very important article a paragraph at a time – asking my reader comprehension style questions at the end. I have been much convicted by the writings of Pink and I pray your walk will also be strengthened meditating on his teaching of scripture …

THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT PART VI

To this precept is added this promise as a motive and encouragement to obedience: "That thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." First, as an Old Testament promise this is to be regarded typically of the Eternal Life promised by the Gospel, since Canaan was a figure of Heaven. Secondly, it is repeated in the New Testament (Eph. 6:2, 3 and 1 Pet. 3:10), since it is often God's way to lengthen out an obedient and holy life. Thirdly, all promises of earthly blessing, however, must necessarily imply this condition: they shall be literally fulfilled to us if this would promote our eternal happiness--otherwise they would be threatenings and not promises. In His mercy God often abridges this promise and takes His beloved home to Himself.

1) What is the significance that this commandment is the only one that is given with a promise?

2) Logically/practically how does disobeying the fifth commandment often lead to shorter lifespans?

3) Can you explain, and give other examples of  what Pink means by the word “typically”?

4) How did the apostle Paul feel about the length of his life in regards to serving the church and yet wanting to be with the Lord (Philippians 1:21cf)? Can you explain Pink’s third point above in the light of this? Are you of a similar conviction yet?

Comprehending Pink’s Commandments Part 33

Foreword:

The following exerpt is taken from The Ten Commandments  by Arthur W. Pink

(BAKER BOOK HOUSE, 1994 GRAND RAPIDS, MI)

In this blog series I will work through this very important article a paragraph at a time – asking my reader comprehension style questions at the end. I have been much convicted by the writings of Pink and I pray your walk will also be strengthened meditating on his teaching of scripture …

THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT PART V

Finally, we should mention pastors and their flocks, ministers and their people, for between them also is such a relation of superiors and inferiors as brings them under the direction of this fifth commandment. "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you" (Heb. 13:17). Christ has so vested his servants with authority that He declares, "He that heareth you heareth Me; and he that despiseth you despiseth Me" (Luke 10:16). So again, "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the Word and doctrine" (1 Tim. 5:17). This "double honour" is that of reverence and maintenance. "Let him that is taught in the Word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things" (Gal. 6:6 and cf. 1 Cor. 9:11). How solemn is this warning: "But they mocked the messengers of God and despised His words and misused His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, till there was no remedy" (2 Chron. 36 :16).

1) Do you bring joy to your pastor? What ways can a person bring joy to their pastor and church elders? What ways do people bring grief to their pastor and church elders? Let your response to this question be turned into a prayer.

2) What are the reasons we should bring joy rather than grief to our pastors and church elders as scripturally listed by Pink in this paragraph? Can you think of any more?

3) Can you think of the only times when rebelling against, or confronting, your pastor is allowed. How should this be done in a way that is loving and biblical?