Hello
Jesus told his disciples to make new disciples and teach them to obey his commands (Matthew 28:20). He also said that if we obey his commands, we will live in his love (John 15:10). So, obeying Jesus’ commands is important.
Good News! Although some of Jesus’ teachings are difficult to understand, his commands are easy to understand. Jesus’ commands are clear, simple and practical, and they are easily grouped under the two great commands; Love God and Love Others. Some more good news; there aren’t very many of them and they’re mostly positive. Here they are:
Love God
- Love God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. (Matthew 22:34-38; Mark 12:28-30; Luke 10:25-27)
- Do things because you want to serve God; not because you want to impress other people. (Matthew 6:1-18)
- Humble yourselves. (Matthew 18:4; Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11; Luke 18:14)
- Follow Jesus. Don’t wonder about other people. (John 21:20-22)
- Pray – and keep praying. (Matthew 6:5-14; Luke 11:1-13; Luke 18:1-8)
- Don’t worry. God knows what you need. (Matthew 6:25-34; Matthew 11:28-30; Luke 12:22-32)
- Trust God – not earthly treasures. (Matthew 6:19-21; Matthew 6:24; Luke 12:33-34)
Love others
- Love your neighbor the same way you love yourself. (Matthew 22:39; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:25-37)
- Love each other the same way Jesus loved his disciples. (John 13:34; John 15:12)
- Love each other – it is by your love for each other that the world will know that you are Jesus’ disciples. (John 13:35)
- Love your enemies. (Matthew 5: 44; Luke 6:27)
- Treat others the same way you like to be treated yourself. (Matthew :7:12; Luke 6:31)
- Be Humble. (Matthew 23:11-12; Luke 14:11; Luke 18:14. See also Matthew 18:1-5; Mark 9:33-37; Luke 9:46-48; and Matthew 20:25-28; Mark 10:42-45)
- Pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 5:44)
- Do good to those who hate you. (Luke 6:27)
- Bless those that curse you. (Luke 6:28)
- Serve each other. (Matthew 20:25-28; Mark 10:43-45)
- Don’t judge others. (Matthew 7:1-2; Luke 6:37)
- Don’t condemn others. (Luke 6:37)
- Do more for others than they ask of you. (Matthew 5:39:42)
- Forgive others. (Matthew 6:14-15; Luke 6:37; Luke 17:3-4)
- Be merciful. (Luke 6:36)
- If someone has done something that upsets or offends you, go and talk to them about it. If they won’t listen to you, take someone else with you and try again. (Matthew 18:16. See also Luke 17:3)
- If you know that you have done something to upset or offend someone – go and talk to them and sort it out. (Matthew 5:23-24)
- Let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and your ‘no’ be ‘no’. (Matthew 5:34-37)
- Give to anyone who begs from you. (Luke 6:30)
- Teach new disciples to obey everything that Jesus commanded his disciples. (Matthew 28:20)
One of the things I love about these commands is that almost all of them are positive. They don’t start with “Thou shalt not…” – Jesus tells us what he wants us to do – not what we mustn’t do. I think that’s great. Even those very few commands that start with “Don’t…” are positive when you put them into practice; “Don’t worry”, “Don’t judge others”.
Finally, a quick reminder: Jesus said:
“If you keep my commands, you will live in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and live in his love.” (John 15:10)
May our loving Father bless us, encourage us and enable us to keep Jesus’ commands, so that we will live in his love.
Jesus is Lord.
Peter O
Related Articles
“What did Jesus say about obeying God?”
“What did Jesus say about his own words?”
“What did Jesus say about being a Christian? ‘Follow Me.'”
“Following Jesus is simple and easy. He said so.”
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It seems like human theological systems have added astounding complexity to what Jesus and the Apostles expected from us. If we love Him, then we will gladly adopt the characteristics He desires. In my humble view, He has not asked us to “sacrifice” anything. Every characteristic He wants us to embrace provides a “benefit”. So, when we follow Him and develop the fruits of the Spirit living a pure and simple life, we are receiving a beneficial life. Even if we are killed for following Him, we receive a more beneficial life. The world system thinks we are sacrificing our lives. Quite the contrary, we are living a wonderful and pleasurable life the more we become like Him. That’s just my experience.
Brother Gary
Thanks so much for your comment. Rarely have I read a comment and felt that I could say “Truly!” with such whole-heartedness. Your words remind me of the words of Jesus:
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28-30).
Truly!
Thanks again.
Peter O
I agree ?
Just found this folks, so thx Gary for the input. Thx Peter and team for doing this site. I found it researching discipleship for my article. I will look forward to more from this ministry. Thx again, Daniel
I could be wrong…
to me, it seems important
to be hyper-literal
if and when
we make a LIST
of the commands
mandated by Matthew 28:20.
He said, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever”
“I have commanded” Who is speaking?
“you” To whom was He speaking? (Matthew 28:16)
My point is that
Jesus spoke many commands
that were NOT addressed to His Eleven Apostles.
For example, He told a rich man to sell everything…
In my opinion,
that “sell all” command
does NOT belong
on THE LIST of
mandated Matthew 28:20 commands.
However, it seems to me that
Luke 12:1-12
gives us commands that
do BELONG
on THE LIST…
Why?
Because Luke 12:1 says He was talking to His Disciples…
…
Please ask HIM
for supernatural help
to LIST His commands correctly…
— so we can know
which commands
MUST be taught to new disciples.
Also, we need His Help with Luke 14:26,27, and 14:33.
I thought it was so easy
to simply sell everything
to my wife!
Problem: She went to GLORY without me!
Hello Roy
Sincere thanks for your comment. You are raising important points. As you rightly point out, Jesus told the eleven to teach new disciples to obey the commands he had given them. So, as you also rightly point out, he was not telling them to teach obedience to every command he had given to anyone but only those commands he had given to the twelve. (Just as well, otherwise we would all have to consider whether we should bathe in the pool of Siloam. John 9:7).
The problem in compiling this list comes when considering whether Jesus meant, literally, every command he gave the twelve. If he did, then should we all sell our cloaks and buy swords? (Luke 22:36). Or, in our work for Jesus today, should we take literally his commands “You received without paying; give without pay. Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff”? (Matthew 10:8-10).
So, I’ve had to make some decisions in compiling this list and, like you, I am always aware that I could be wrong. I made those decisions prayerfully over a long period of time. I based my decisions on: first, whether Jesus was talking to the twelve; second, whether he is recorded giving this command more than once; and third, whether the command is consistent with his other teachings and the teachings of scripture overall. A couple of examples; Jesus commanded his disciples to be humble on many occasions, so this command must be in the list. But Jesus is recorded as commanding them not to condemn others only once (Luke 6:37). However, I think this command is completely consistent with his overall teachings, and scripture as a whole, so I included it.
The most difficult decision I had to make is concerning the command “Sell your possessions and give to the needy.” (Luke 12:33). As you rightly point out, Jesus is talking to his disciples when he gives the list of commands in Luke 12. But this command only occurs once. Is it consistent with his other teachings? Well, probably, yes. However, it is always important to look at a verse in context. The context of this verse is Jesus telling his followers not to worry about material things but to focus on spiritual things and he concludes with the words “Sell your possessions and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:33-34). The main message of the whole passage is not to worry and to focus on the things of God, and I’ve included it in the list under the grouping “Love God” under the commands “Don’t worry. God knows what you need.” And “Trust God – not earthy treasures”. Can we take this command “Sell your possessions and give to the needy” out of context and regard it as a stand-alone command? I’m not sure. I’ve been unsure whether to include it in the list under “Love others”. It was included for some years with a note to the effect that it should be read in the context of the passage in which it sits. I have recently removed it from the “Love others” section for the reasons I hope I’ve outlined above. But I could be wrong. Maybe it should be included under “Love others” too. I’d like to hear what others think about this.
Thanks again.
God bless you.
Peter O
This post was received from Roy
Dear Brother Oliver,
I would like to respond…but more in private…I make so many
“stupid mistakes”…I’m 70…
I have seen 100’s of answers to prayer … more about that later…LORD willing
From Roy M.
I thought I had a wonderful plan:
my wife Erlinda signed a BILL OF SALE…
so I could claim
that I had sold everything
to my wife.
Problem: Two years ago
she passed away of Parkinson’s …
Please pray for me … for a new wife!
I do believe the “sell everything” command is Spiritual, not physical (as Jesus said that The Spirit is in his Words – John 6:63). It goes with the command that we have to “become like little children”. We don’t do that physically, but Spiritually. We forget everything we have been taught in this world, and we learn from him. He alone has the Words of Truth (for example he says his doctrine has nothing to do with sacrifice – Matt 12:7 and Matt 9:13), yet the whole church doctrine is based on “sacrifice for sins.” So, when he says “sell everything” he means “forget everything”, and when he says “give to the poor” he is saying give Truth to the poor (lacking) in Spirit. The poor in Spirit are those without his words yet, that are still living in the false doctrine of sacrifice.
“Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.” Proverbs 23:23
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure HID in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.” Matthew 13:44
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:45-46
Update from previous comment…
KEYS TO THE KINGDOM
In that verse about Peter the word “Peter” means “Petros G4074 – a piece of a rock”, but Jesus says His Church will be built upon Himself “Petra G4073 – a MASS of rock” and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.
Remember Jesus called Peter satan, and he said that even satan knows who he is. That is why Peter knew that he was the Son of God. Peter was crucified upside down because his church is built on the church doctrine of sacrifice, but Jesus’ church is built on the WORDS OF TRUTH (see below). So Peter has the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven because he was crucified upside down – the KEY IS you have to turn everything upside down.
“Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. TO THIS END WAS I BORN, and FOR THIS CAUSE came I into the world, THAT I SHOULD BEAR WITNESS UNTO THE TRUTH. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” John 18:37
And Jesus says that when HIS Gospel is preached (how do we know it is different than Paul’s gospel? Because Jesus says to go spread it BEFORE he was killed), then will THE END come, what is THE END? Daniel the True Prophet (according to Jesus) tells us…
“And THIS GOSPEL of the kingdom SHALL BE PREACHED in all the world FOR A WITNESS unto all nations; AND THEN shall THE END come.” Matthew 24:14
“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an END OF SINS, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to BRING IN EVERLASTING RIGHTEOUSNESS, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.” Daniel 9:24
–> “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but HE THAT ENDURETH (G5278 – TARRY, STAY BEHIND LIKE JOHN) to THE END (the end of sins according to Daniel 9:24) shall be SAVED (G4982- be safe, protected, delivered, persevere).” Matthew 10:22
Jesus speaking to Peter about John…
“Then Peter, turning about, SEES THE DISCIPLE WHOM JESUS LOVED FOLLOWING;… Jesus saith unto him (Peter), If I will that HE (John) TARRY TILL I COME, what is that to thee? Follow thou me.” John 21:20, 22
–
Peter is being commanded to follow Jesus, but denies him 3 times instead.
Oh my folks, good questions from Roy and good explanations of your writings. I am pleased to see the sharpening of minds and hearts. Blessings to all. Daniel
When Jesus spoke this command to the rich man He knew this man’s heart that he worshipped his wealth because when He told Zacchaeus he would dine with him and Zacchaeus told Jesus he give half of his wealth to the poor and restore any wrong to anyone fourfold so Zacchaeus was a rich man but Jesus never commanded him to sell anything. IT IS WHAT IS IN YOUR HEART THAT MATTERS TO JESUS
ישוע didn’t speak 16th century English.
Studying ‘Disciple Making Is…’ by Dave Early and Rod Dempsey Chapter 5. I am beginning an extensive Bible study to discover everything Jesus commanded. Looking forward to comparing my results to yours. Thank you for helping to launch my study. The authors call “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” the great omission of the Great Commission.
Hello Octavia
“teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” is the great omission of the Great Commission.
I love that.
Thanks.
Peter O
Thank you and bless you for or putting the concept of Jesus’ teachings being first and foremost in our lives out there. We all need to learn about and internalize Christ’s teachings
Thank you!
Peter O
I love these simple clear statements that say everything.
My family believes so many things but I wanted to remind them, especially this Christmas, why we celebrate.
Cathy
Thank you.
Peter O
AWESOME
Glad to be of service.
Thank you.
Peter O
Well put and agree regarding , “‘If you really want to know the peace beyond all understanding then….’” That’s what is told my kids but not as eloquent.
Excellent! Thank you for putting this together.
You’re welcome. Thanks. Peter O
The reason why Jesus doesn’t say ‘thou shalt not’ is because he knows that a person cannot obey his commandments, it is impossible for an individual.
He says as much when he says ‘you can do nothing without me’ and ‘take my yoke upon you’.
He is our life and it is by this life that we obey God. Without life we cannot obey God. He is the vine and we live by him.
To take hold of his commandments without submitting to this simple truth will result in defeat.
Thanks for the work in compiling this great list
Glad you put this part in….. “One of the things I love about these commands is that they don’t start with “Thou shalt not…”. Jesus tells us what he wants us, his followers, to do; not what we mustn’t do. I think that’s great. Even those very few commands that start with “Don’t…” actually seem positive in practice; “Don’t worry”, “Don’t judge others”.”.
From what I have learned so far from “other” deep wisdom about peacefulness and a good life I now do not think of these teachings as “commands”. I picture the words “If you really want to know the peace beyond all understanding then….. “. ….
Living in conflict with your deepest ethics literally makes you sick, as does worry and participating in a judgemental world . “Pass the Peace”.
Well said, Jesus, and well summarized, Peter O. He also mentioned staying put until we have received His Gift, the Holy Spirit, Who will guide us into all truth, not least the meaning of these clear and simple and profound commands and the means to live them out.