Commandments of Christ

Following these commandments styles the person’s life so that it is pleasing to God and to prepare it to receive eternal life.

Jesus tells people what they should do to receive the reward. Before doing it, it is more important that you understand and believe what Jesus taught concerning himself and the Kingdom of God (Matthew 4:23,Matthew 4:23XWaiting for response John 3:14-21).John 3:14-21XWaiting for response For, “the just shall live by faith” (Galatians 3:11,Galatians 3:11XWaiting for response Galatians 5:13-14,Galatians 5:13-14XWaiting for response Hebrews 11). Faith means belief. It is impossible to please God without faith in God (Hebrews 11:6).Hebrews 11:6XWaiting for response After you know the truth and believe it, there are things you are required to do (James 2:5,8-26).James 2:5,8-26XWaiting for response

Background

A commandment is a way to be on a particular subject. A law is a collection of commandments.

Moses received God's law and passed it on to the people of Israel as they existed Egypt (Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy). This law is referred to as the Law of Moses, but you may recognise it as the Ten Commandments, though there are actually many commandments. This law instructed the people how to live their life so that it pleased God. All the people of Israel, including Jesus, were instructed to follow the Law of Moses - but Jesus is the only person to follow this law perfectly, making him the only person who is considered sinless.

When Jesus made himself a sacrifice for sin, a major change happened to the law. Jesus' early apostles with the Holy Spirit made it clear that people did not need to follow the Law of Moses anymore (Romans 7:6,Romans 7:6XWaiting for response Acts 15:1-35).Acts 15:1-35XWaiting for response People could now receive the reward by faith (Galatians 2:16).Galatians 2:16XWaiting for response It doesn’t mean that people can be evil and still receive the reward (Romans 13:4).Romans 13:4XWaiting for response It means people can receive the reward even though they have sinned in the past (Luke 24:47,Luke 24:47XWaiting for response Revelation 1:5).Revelation 1:5XWaiting for response

Consider that Jesus died because of the sin in the world so that sinners can be made clean. Would it be right to go against Jesus and expect to receive eternal life by Jesus? When you know the truth about God and Jesus, it is revealed to you what they would like to see you do - is it right to choose to not do those things and expect to receive salvation, simply because you believe? Of course not.

faith without works is dead

James 2:26James 2:26XWaiting for response

After Jesus was resurrected, he instructed his apostles to wait until the Holy Spirit came upon them and then to spread the gospel (Acts 1:8,Acts 1:8XWaiting for response Mark 16:15).Mark 16:15XWaiting for response As they spread the gospel, they gave commandments inspired by the Holy Spirit and from the teaching of Jesus (Acts - Jude). These commandments fall into the umbrella of Jesus’ commandments because they are given by the first apostles of Jesus.

If ye keep my [Jesus’] commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

John 15:10John 15:10XWaiting for response

If ye love me [Jesus], keep my commandments.

John 14:15John 14:15XWaiting for response

What should people do to receive the reward?

Jesus’ commandments do not force you to become a robot. They are broad enough so that you can do as you please within them. For example, the most important commandment is “love the one true living God with all your heart, mind, life and strength” (Matthew 22:37-40,Matthew 22:37-40XWaiting for response Mark 12:29-31).Mark 12:29-31XWaiting for response There are many ways to do this. Each person will do it in their own way, based on factors such as circumstances, experiences, and knowledge.

The second most important commandment is to “love your neighbour as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-40).Matthew 22:37-40XWaiting for response Your neighbour is anyone who loves you (Luke 10:30-37).Luke 10:30-37XWaiting for response Those who love you the most are easily seen: God who has created you and everything, and Jesus who sacrificed himself for everyone who will live by him. There are others who love you in your life, it is expected you love them as if they were you. Within this commandment, there are many ways that one can love - each person doing it differently based on how they would love the other if the positions were reversed.

There are many commandments that hang from these two commandments (Matthew 22:40).Matthew 22:40XWaiting for response For example, a commandment is to honour your parents (Ephesians 6:2,Ephesians 6:2XWaiting for response Colossians 3:20).Colossians 3:20XWaiting for response Your parents have loved you by giving you food and shelter and many other things, so this commandment hangs from the other commandment to love your neighbour as yourself.

Examining the most important commandment, “love God with your whole heart, mind, life and strength”, you can see that all commandments hang from it. God has loved you by creating you and has given you everything that you have. He made commandments and it is to love God to follow His commandments. Just as if your king commanded you to do something and you did it out of love for him because of all the goodness he has provided. The first and second most important commandment are directly linked. God has loved you the most, so He is your greatest neighbour. This commandment is so comprehensive that the apostle James writes:

If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well

James 2:8James 2:8XWaiting for response

And Paul writes:

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. [9] For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. [10] Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Romans 13:8-10Romans 13:8-10XWaiting for response

This commandment is directly linked to loving those who are brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus commands his followers to do so and says that, in doing so, you are directly loving him (John 13:34-35,John 13:34-35XWaiting for response Matthew 25:31-46).Matthew 25:31-46XWaiting for response Peter writes along similar lines:

And above all things have fervent charity [love] among yourselves: for charity [love] shall cover the multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:81 Peter 4:8XWaiting for response

Coupled with the importance of loving our brothers and sisters is to “love your enemy”. Jesus says to be like God who loves all people, even his enemies. You would receive a great reward if someone who was not a brother or sister in Christ became one because of your actions (Daniel 12:2-3).Daniel 12:2-3XWaiting for response

I [Jesus] say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Matthew 5:44-48Matthew 5:44-48XWaiting for response

To love anyone requires understanding of the situation that you are in. It is done on a case by case basis. To remember the Creator and Christ in all thought and action is crucial for always loving others correctly.

Now the end [purpose] of the commandment is charity [love] out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned

1 Timothy 1:51 Timothy 1:5XWaiting for response

Warnings against evil

Commandments are made because of the evil in the world. If evil was not in the world, there would be no need for the commandment. For example, if adultery was not in the world, there would be no commandment against it. As the world is, there are many warnings against evil and they, like all commandments, show how the Creator and Christ would like us to be - they show us how to love.

Jesus says these things defile someone: “evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (Matthew 15:18-19).Matthew 15:18-19XWaiting for response

It is good to know what not to do in order to avoid it.

And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

Luke 18:18-22Luke 18:18-22XWaiting for response

Remove yourself from evil

When evil presents itself, Jesus says to stay away as far as possible:

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: [28] But I [Jesus] say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. [29] And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. [30] And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Matthew 5:27-30Matthew 5:27-30XWaiting for response

Actions are important but so are words and even thoughts (Matthew 15:18-20,Matthew 15:18-20XWaiting for response James 3:11).James 3:11XWaiting for response Just as Peter writes to “eschew evil”, among other instructions:

Finally, be ye [brothers and sisters in Christ] all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: [9] Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. for he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

1 Peter 3:8-111 Peter 3:8-11XWaiting for response

It is critical to stay away from evil because if you are with it, it becomes a part of you (Galatians 5:9,Galatians 5:9XWaiting for response 1 Corinthians 5:1,5-7).1 Corinthians 5:1,5-7XWaiting for response

If evil thoughts present themselves to you, tempting you, you should respond with disapproval and truth - as Jesus did when he was tempted (Luke 4:2-13).Luke 4:2-13XWaiting for response

If you fail and do not do the things that Jesus commands, you should repent and do the things that Jesus commands more strongly. When Paul wrote to the Corinthians for the first time, he warned them what they were doing was wrong (1 Corinthians 3:3-4,17,1 Corinthians 3:3-4,17XWaiting for response 1 Corinthians 4:14,1 Corinthians 4:14XWaiting for response 1 Corinthians 5:1).1 Corinthians 5:1XWaiting for response When he wrote the second letter to them he was glad that they had listened to him and repented, writing that they had godly sorrow which produced in them “carefulness, cleansing, indignation, fear, vehement desire, zeal and revenge” (2 Corinthians 7:7-11).2 Corinthians 7:7-11XWaiting for response This is the same with us, if we fail but turn to God again we can receive forgiveness through true repentance (James 4:8,James 4:8XWaiting for response Luke 7:47,Luke 7:47XWaiting for response Luke 11:9).Luke 11:9XWaiting for response Jesus warns, though, the wicked and slothful servant will not be forgiven (Matthew 24:48-51).Matthew 24:48-51XWaiting for response

Be holy

Peter instructs in 1 Peter 1:15-16:1 Peter 1:15-16XWaiting for response

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation [conduct]; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Holy means separate. So the commandment is to be separate in conduct as God is separate. God is separate from humans in many ways, such as his power, authority, understanding, and many other ways that are beyond our understanding. A way that we can be like him is His righteousness. While we cannot be perfectly righteous, what we can do is be separate from the rest of the world by following these commandments of Christ and knowing the truth about God and Jesus. By doing this, we can fulfil this command.

Be baptised

When you know the truth about God and Jesus, you should be baptised (Acts 2:41,Acts 2:41XWaiting for response Acts 8:12-13,Acts 8:12-13XWaiting for response Acts 8:36-38,Acts 8:36-38XWaiting for response Acts 9:18).Acts 9:18XWaiting for response Baptism represents living in Jesus. This is the only way to be saved (1 Peter 3:21,1 Peter 3:21XWaiting for response Mark 16:15-16,Mark 16:15-16XWaiting for response Galatians 3:27).Galatians 3:27XWaiting for response Baptism cleanses you from all your sin (Acts 22:16).Acts 22:16XWaiting for response It represents being reborn - sin dying and you being born again with your new life dedicated to God and Christ (Romans 6:3-4).Romans 6:3-4XWaiting for response

In Acts, Peter with the Holy Spirit is recorded explaining to the Jews that they have crucified the son of God and when they ask him “what should we do”, baptism is the first thing he commands them to do after repentance (Acts 2:37-39).Acts 2:37-39XWaiting for response These Jews already had knowledge of God and the gospel of the kingdom of God - the only knowledge they were lacking was that Jesus was Christ. Once they believed that, they were ready to be baptised. These Jews were seeking forgiveness and they were given a way through baptism. It’s not to say that we need to immediately be baptised after appropriate knowledge has been gained. Jesus was not baptised until he was 30, which was the correct time for him to be baptised, even though he would have had much knowledge before then. It’s up to the person when to be baptised, but it is a commandment to do so, because we are all sinners, and we all need forgiveness.

Righteousness

There are many commandments given by God through Jesus. It is wise to know the importance of each commandment because at times one must be chosen over another. For example, Jesus heals someone on the Sabbath day but, under Moses’ Law, work should not be done on the Sabbath. What is the greater commandment from God - to love a fellow Israelite or to not do any work on the Sabbath? The greatest commandment is “love God with all your heart, mind, life and strength” and the Israelites are God’s chosen people, so to help one, even if it is on the Sabbath, is not wrong (Luke 13:10-17,Luke 13:10-17XWaiting for response Exodus 20:10,Exodus 20:10XWaiting for response 2 Corinthians 13:11,2 Corinthians 13:11XWaiting for response Deuteronomy 7:6).Deuteronomy 7:6XWaiting for response

A more contemporary example is when we consider the two commands: "to work for your boss as if he is Christ" (Colossians 3:22-24,Colossians 3:22-24XWaiting for response Ephesians 6:5-7)Ephesians 6:5-7XWaiting for response and "to not be violent" (Matthew 5:38-39).Matthew 5:38-39XWaiting for response If your boss instructed you to be violent, rather than continue to work for them, it would be wise to leave that occupation. Choosing one commandment over another happens all the time, mostly subconciously and as we grow in knowledge by studying God's word, we are better at discerning the correct path.

This is righteousness - to always do what is right toward God. To have knowledge of God is crucial, so that you understand what God wants. To learn knowledge of God, learn his word in the Holy Bible. You will do well if you follow the two greatest commandments (Matthew 22:37-40,Matthew 22:37-40XWaiting for response Mark 12:29-31).Mark 12:29-31XWaiting for response

The commandments are enjoyable

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

1 John 5:31 John 5:3XWaiting for response

The greatest blessing of the commandments is that, by doing them, one can please God. If one was not told the way to please God, they would not know how to please Him. In following the commandments in true faith, one pleases the Creator.

Another blessing of living by the commandments is that they are enjoyable. Sometimes they are difficult but they are always more rewarding than difficult because, even if you have terrible trial because of them, you receive eternal life because you did them. The work that is required is far less than the reward that is received.

Come unto me [Jesus], all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30Matthew 11:28-30XWaiting for response

Imagine a world where all people follow these commandments, showing this kind of love toward one another. What a place it would be. You could walk the streets without doubt. You could let your children play on the streets without caution. You could turn to a stranger and before speaking a word, know that they would help you. You could leave your house unlocked and your doors open. You could turn to any person and know, before even speaking to them, that they are kind, patient, considerate and full of love. This is the place that the world will be when everyone knows the truth about God and Jesus, repents and lives by Jesus’ commandments. What a blessing!

At the moment, people who follow Jesus’ commandments have to be on their guard against sin (Galatians 5:17,Galatians 5:17XWaiting for response 1 Peter 2:11).1 Peter 2:11XWaiting for response There will be a time when they don’t have to, when everyone knows the truth and follows the commandments with sin removed (Isaiah 45:22-23,Isaiah 45:22-23XWaiting for response Revelation 1:5-6).Revelation 1:5-6XWaiting for response

God will, through Jesus Christ, destroy all enemies including death and establish peace and righteousness in His kingdom on the earth (1 Corinthians 15:25-26,1 Corinthians 15:25-26XWaiting for response Zechariah 14:9,Zechariah 14:9XWaiting for response 2 Timothy 4:1,8).2 Timothy 4:1,8XWaiting for response

God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Revelation 21:4Revelation 21:4XWaiting for response

Even before Jesus returns to the earth, if you know the truth, hear Jesus’ commandments and do them, you will find there are many brothers and sisters in Christ who love to love you! To be a part of it, follow this law and believe the truth (James 2:14-26,James 2:14-26XWaiting for response Galatians 3:11,Galatians 3:11XWaiting for response Revelation 2:7,Revelation 2:7XWaiting for response 1 John 5:1-5).1 John 5:1-5XWaiting for response

He that rejecteth me [Jesus], and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

John 12:48John 12:48XWaiting for response

The Lord [Jesus] said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; the lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Luke 12:42-48Luke 12:42-48XWaiting for response

Live by Jesus’ commandments and believe the truth to please God, the Lord of all, the Creator, the giver of all goodness. Jesus comes and brings a reward according to the work you have done.

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Matthew 16:24-27Matthew 16:24-27XWaiting for response