The Cost of Discipleship D. Bonhoeffer Chapter 5 The Brother

Matther 5:21-26  ²¹ “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,^[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ ²² But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca’, is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

²³ “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

²⁵ “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. ²⁶ Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.”

There are several conclusions I see here.

1.     Hatred of your brother (fellow humans) is equal to murder in God’s eyes.

2.     One who murders (harbors hatred) cannot have a right relationship with God.

3.     A wrong relationship with God prohibits fellowship and worship.

Know there is a difference between anger and hatred. Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus (Ephesians 4:26) to be angry but not to sin. Anger is and emotion. Hatred is a harbored desire to seek, even plan harm, even to death of another individual. Doing so is passing judgement and judgement is reserved to God alone. I must add that when a law is broken it is the law that passes judgement and determines punishment, not individuals.

I John 4:20-21 John writes you cannot hate your brother and claim to love God. That claim is a lie

The conclusion is one’s heart cannot contain a love for God and hatred for another.