In a disturbing story titled “Former pro runner charged with first-degree murder” published by Canadian Running Magazine on Tuesday, it was reported that Matthew Molinaro, the 2018 NCAA DIII 800m champion and former HOKA pro runner, was arrested for the premeditated murder of his ex's boyfriend on New Year's Eve. The victim was 26-year-old Milford, Mich., resident Peyton Bilbia.
According to media reports, Milford police began the investigation on the afternoon of Dec. 31 while conducting a welfare check at Bilbia’s home on the request of his girlfriend, who had not been able to get in contact with him. The police and fire department forced entry into the man’s apartment, where he was found dead with multiple stab wounds.
Detectives gathered evidence that pointed to Molinaro, 29, as a suspect; he was arrested that evening at a Royal Oak, Mich., club. On Monday, the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office revealed the alleged attacker had previously been in a relationship with Bilbia’s girlfriend, who, earlier that month, had obtained a personal protection order against Molinaro…
Molinaro is currently being held without bond at Oakland County Jail; if convicted, he could serve life in prison without the possibility of parole. His probable-cause hearing is scheduled for Jan. 19.
“Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” 1 John 3:15 NKJV
And, you know, while most forms of murder are illegal and prosecutable by law, as they take the life of another human being created in God’s image, the Bible extends the definition of what it means to be a murderer to a higher level, saying that “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer.”
You see, to hate a brother is to murder him in our hearts… something that always precipitates the actual action. And although, we may not carry out the actual deed (because of cowardice or fear of punishment) as Molinaro unfortunately did, when we hold on to hate, we harbor extreme malice and hostility to the point that we wish that person were dead.
This hatred is also shown when we ignore another person to the point that we treat them as if they were dead. Hatred, then, can be shown passively or actively. Either way, enmity with another person is deadly and is a direct violation of the commandment “You shall not murder.”
Spurgeon describes it this way, “Every man who hates another has the venom of murder in his veins. He may never actually take the deadly weapons into his hand and destroy life; but if he wishes that his brother were out of the way, if he would be glad if no such person existed, that feeling amounts to murder in the judgment of God.”
Furthermore, we know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him: To live in the practice of murder—or to have a lifestyle of the habitual hatred of their brethren—is a demonstration that a person is not born again, no matter what they profess. Pretty scary isn’t it?
So, refuse to fall into the trap of hating someone my friend, no matter how badly they might have hurt you. Pray for them instead, knowing that God is a righteous judge who will render to each person exactly what their life merits in the end, without favoritism or partiality. This will not only keep your heart free from the bitterness (which harms you in so many ways) that only leads to death, but will allow you to live a life full of joy.
Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding us that hating someone in our heart is just as bad as killing their physical body. Help us to move past any hurts that we are still holding onto and to pray for those people who have caused them. Help us, Lord to remember that You see everything and that one day everyone will be held accountable for their deeds. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
You see, to hate a brother is to murder him in our hearts… something that always precipitates the actual action. And although, we may not carry out the actual deed (because of cowardice or fear of punishment) as Molinaro unfortunately did, when we hold on to hate, we harbor extreme malice and hostility to the point that we wish that person were dead.
This hatred is also shown when we ignore another person to the point that we treat them as if they were dead. Hatred, then, can be shown passively or actively. Either way, enmity with another person is deadly and is a direct violation of the commandment “You shall not murder.”
Spurgeon describes it this way, “Every man who hates another has the venom of murder in his veins. He may never actually take the deadly weapons into his hand and destroy life; but if he wishes that his brother were out of the way, if he would be glad if no such person existed, that feeling amounts to murder in the judgment of God.”
Furthermore, we know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him: To live in the practice of murder—or to have a lifestyle of the habitual hatred of their brethren—is a demonstration that a person is not born again, no matter what they profess. Pretty scary isn’t it?
“‘But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,” Matthew 5:44
“who “will render to each one according to his deeds”:” Romans 2:6
So, refuse to fall into the trap of hating someone my friend, no matter how badly they might have hurt you. Pray for them instead, knowing that God is a righteous judge who will render to each person exactly what their life merits in the end, without favoritism or partiality. This will not only keep your heart free from the bitterness (which harms you in so many ways) that only leads to death, but will allow you to live a life full of joy.
Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding us that hating someone in our heart is just as bad as killing their physical body. Help us to move past any hurts that we are still holding onto and to pray for those people who have caused them. Help us, Lord to remember that You see everything and that one day everyone will be held accountable for their deeds. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
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