Bible Reading: John 14:8-15 KJV
- John 14:15 KJV
In the Sermon on the Mount, and other places in scripture, Jesus not only taught profound truths about the kingdom of God but also imparted a series of commands that challenge and transform our lives. As we delve into the teachings of Christ, we find that His words are not merely suggestions but divine directives that guide us towards spiritual maturity and obedience.
The first command Jesus emphasizes is the necessity of repentance. In His ministry, He consistently called people to turn away from their sins and submit their lives to God. As He declared, "...Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17), He invited His followers to embrace a radical change of heart and mind.
The first command Jesus emphasizes is the necessity of repentance. In His ministry, He consistently called people to turn away from their sins and submit their lives to God. As He declared, "...Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17), He invited His followers to embrace a radical change of heart and mind.
In addition to repentance, Jesus pronounced a series of "You have heard that it was said..." statements, followed by His interpretation and expansion of the Old Testament commandments. For example, He taught that murder originates from anger in the heart (Matthew 5:21-22) and that adultery begins with lustful thoughts (Matthew 5:27-28). These teachings demonstrate that true obedience goes beyond external actions and requires a transformation of the inner self.
Jesus also emphasized the importance of forgiveness. He taught that we must forgive others not seven times, but seventy times seven (Matthew 18:22), reminding us that forgiveness is not only a command but a reflection of God's character. In His death on the cross, Jesus bore the penalty for our sins and offers us forgiveness, inviting us to extend the same grace to others. In Matthew 6:15 Jesus tells us that, "But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
In the context of giving, Jesus challenged His followers to abandon the mentality of "a little bit" and instead to embrace radical generosity. He taught that where our treasure is, there our heart will be also (Matthew 6:21), urging us to prioritize the kingdom of God above all else.
Jesus commanded His followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:44). This radical call to love extends beyond our natural inclinations and requires the empowering work of the Holy Spirit. As we obey this command, we reflect the very nature of our heavenly Father, who loves unconditionally and desires the salvation of all people.
Below are a few more select commands of Jesus, but certainty not all-inclusive:
- Be Born Again
(John 3:7)
- Abide in Me
(John 15:4)
- Let Your Light Shine Before Men
(Matthew 5:14-16)
- Settle Matters Quickly
(Matthew 5:25)
- Get Rid of Whatever Causes You to Sin
(Matthew 5:29-30)
- Do Not Swear at All
(Matthew 5:34-37)
- Do Not Resist an Evil Person
(Matthew 5:38-42)
- Give to Please God, Not to Be Seen
(Matthew 6:1-4)
- Pray Privately, Not to Be Seen by Men
(Matthew 6:5-7)
- This, Then, is How You Should Pray
(Matthew 6:9-15)
- Do Not Worry about Your Needs
(Matthew 6:25-34)
- Seek First the Kingdom of God
(Matthew 6:33)
- Do Not Judge
(Matthew 7:1-2)
- Do Not Give Dogs What is Sacred
(Matthew 7:6)
- Ask, Seek, Knock
(Matthew 7:7-8)
- Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
(Matthew 22:37-40)
- Take Up Your Cross Daily
(Matthew 16:24, Luke 9:23)
- Follow Me
(Matthew 4:19, 8:22, 9:9, 16:24)
- Watch Out! Be on Guard
(Matthew 24:42-44, Luke 12:15)
- Turn the Other Cheek
(Matthew 5:39)
- Pray Continually
(1 Thessalonians 5:17)
- Give to the Poor
(Matthew 19:21)
- Do not Lust
(Matthew 5:27-28)
- Go and make disciples of all nations
(Matthew 28:19)
Again, this is not an exhaustive list, as there
are many other commands given by Jesus
throughout the New Testament.
Obedience
to Jesus' commands is not
merely about following a set of rules; it is
about embracing a lifestyle of surrender to
Him as our Lord. It involves
trusting in His
wisdom and allowing His love to transform
our hearts.
As we choose to obey, we
experience the fullness of His grace and
the power of His Spirit. We will then find
ourselves becoming more like
Christ,
reflecting His love and truth to a world in
desperate need of
hope and redemption.
