In the spiritual intent of God's law, as explained by Jesus Christ, even our attitude toward a brother can be a cause for repentance. Hate, defined as active ill will in words and conduct or a persecuting spirit, stands as a critical measure in understanding this law. According to Jesus and the apostle John, even without physical harm or loss of life, harboring such an attitude equates to committing murder, thus transgressing the sixth commandment. Those with God's Spirit can sometimes be overly sensitive, taking offense where none is intended, and altering their treatment of a brother. This may manifest as rudeness, insults, contempt, gossip, ostracism, or avoidance of fellowship and hospitality. When the attitude shifts from friendliness to hostility, in God's eyes, the one who takes offense becomes a murderer. God, in His mercy, offers a remedy for this sin. If one brings a gift to the altar and remembers that a brother holds a grievance, the instruction is to leave the gift before the altar, first seek reconciliation with the brother, and only then return to offer the gift. God will not accept the gift if this serious sin of murder remains unresolved. True, heartfelt repentance must occur before God will receive the offering. If repentance does not happen, the sin remains uncovered, bearing grave consequences for the unrepentant sinner.

God thunders the command not to murder, yet many commit this act spiritually by harboring hatred. Hatred is sin, and sin separates us from God. If someone claims to love God while hating a brother, that person is a liar, for how can one love God, whom they have not seen, if they do not love their brother, whom they have seen? We cannot be right with God unless we are also right with others. Make peace quickly and do not let wrath linger, for a heart burdened by grudges cannot offer God complete adoration. Within God's court, there are no unsolved crimes, and He sees our inner motives. Jesus teaches that even anger, with or without cause, puts one in danger of breaking this commandment, tracing the roots of murder to anger, hatred, and the spirit of competition and aggression. He warns that God will not accept our worship while we harbor enmity. Hatred destroys fellowship with God and man, and no one with the spirit of murder within them is in the image of God. Such an attitude must be overcome, for no murderer will enter His Kingdom.

If a lingering offense or hatred stands between us and our brother, God will not accept our offerings. A brother is another of God's children, and God loves him as much as He loves us. Our breach with a brother causes a breach between us and God. A healing and reconciliation must be made here on earth before a full divine reconciliation can occur. We must leave our gift, work out the issue with our brother, and then return to offer our gift. If we do not love our brother, we are not of God and do not show transformation into His image. The world may hate us because our works are righteous while theirs are evil, but we must move from death to life through love. Loving our brother assures our hearts before God, confirming that we are in His truth and living righteously. When we love our brethren, we can confidently know we are born of God and on the right path. Loving God and loving our brother are inseparable, like two sides of the same coin. If we love God, we must love our brother; if we do not love our brother, we do not truly love God. The love of a brother should be an outworking of the love God has shown us, which we reciprocate through kindness and generosity in our relationships.