The Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q68. What is required in the Sixth Commandment?
A. The Sixth Commandment
requireth all lawful endeavours to preserve
our own life,[1]
and the life of others.[2]
[1] Ephesians 5:28–29; [2] 1 Kings 18:4.
The Sixth Commandment has to do with our own and others’ lives. Therefore positively, the commandment requires us to make use of all lawful means to preserve our own life and the lives of others. Our answer emphasises the lawfulness of the endeavours because it is possible to be tempted to want to preserve our life by unlawful means. Suppose you are in the midst of a people who are hostile towards Christ, and you are threatened with death unless you renounce Christ. You may be tempted to do so, but it would be unlawful for you to preserve your life this way. In fact, saving our life this way is the way to lose our life and our souls forever: “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” (Mt 16:25).
On the other hand, the lawful endeavours which we ought to use for the
preservation of our life include: (1) Defence of ourselves with arms and
weapons, against the violence of thieves and robbers that seek to murder us;
(2) The nourishing and refreshing of our bodies in a sober and moderate use of
meat, drink, and rest; (3) The moderate use of bodily exercise and recreations;
(4) The use of doctors, medicine and medical advances for the removal of
sickness and the recovery of health; and
(5) The means of preventing outbreaks of disease, such as inoculation or
disinfecting of buildings, etc.
In the case of the lives of others, the lawful endeavours include: (1) All
peace time implementations to minimise death from accidents and violence; (2)
Defence of nation during war time; (3) Distributing to the necessities of life
to the poor and needy according to our ability; and (4) Forbearing of all
wrongs, and withholding any action that may prove injurious unto any person who
may have done wrong to us (Phil 2:15; Col 3:12).