These days many people claim to be Christians and speak out on social issues claiming to be imparting a Christian stance. Some people point fingers at one another and say, “I am a true follower, you are an imposter.” How can we decide who is truly a follower of Jesus Christ and who is using that personification to promote their own agendas?

I John 2:3 gives us a very simple test that can be used to validate (or invalidate) a claim of being a true follower of Jesus. I would suggest, however, that we all use this test on ourselves before attempting to quantify anyone else.

1 John 2:3-5 (NKJV)

³ Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. ⁴ He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. ⁵ But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.

This thought is validated by John 14:15: ⁵ “If you love Me, keep^[a] My commandments.”

If we keep His commandments, we are true followers. What commandments are we to “keep” (meaning remember and obey)? Commandments have been passed down since God told Adam, “Do not eat the fruit of this tree.” Moses brought the Ten Commandments down from the mountain of God to the Hebrews who had just escaped Egyptian bondage. Moses was given another 600 plus commands for the people of God concerning their social practices, hygiene, sacrifices and manner of worship over the 40 some odd years that they wandered in the desert seeking the Promised Land. Are any of these what we must keep to show ourselves true followers?

The text says we must “keep His commandments”. His is capitalized here indicating deification: referring to God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit. Who are we talking about? Let’s look back a little to see who is the subject of this dissertation.

1 John 2:1-2 (NKJV)

2 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. ² And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

Both the Father and Jesus are mentioned here, but clearly Jesus is being identified as “an Advocate” and “the propitiation for our sins”. So verse 4 is really saying, “He who says, ‘I know Jesus’ and does not keep Jesus’ commands is a liar.” To be a true follower of Jesus one must keep the commandments of Jesus. So…what are the commandments of Jesus?

For completeness sake I’ve included the remarks of three biblical information sources on The Commandments of Jesus as an Appendix. They each list between 38 and 49 statements of Jesus recorded in the four Gospels. For the most part each source says the same things, some break down a little differently. You may review these at your leisure, but the best way to learn them is to read these four books (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) for yourself. These commandments will be the topics of future articles, but for now let’s return to the topic at hand: the test.

When a Scribe of the Pharisees asked Jesus what the most important commandment of The Law was Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘… And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.  And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31, Matthew 22:34-40)

Jesus is quoting here from Deuteronomy 6:5 the words of Moses and it is again reflected in the parable of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 where Jesus also defines what He means by “neighbor”.

God is revealed to us by Jesus and we hear of Jesus through The Word (the Bible). If we are to love God with our entire being, we must be willing to spend time in the Bible, learning. We must accept its authority. If we try to edit or censure the bible, we cannot be following it. If God, Jesus and the Bible are mere footnotes on the page of our life, we are not true followers.

Does this mean that we must devote our every moment, our every thought to Jesus? God expects us to provide for our family and maintain the blessings He has given us (like a home and a car). He expects us to spend time with our family and friends. But, God is to be in everything we do, say or think. Jesus (who is God in flesh) must be as much a part of our being as is our skin. If you can go for days and never give God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit a thought, you are not a true follower. If those of the world look at you and see their own habits instead of a reflection of Jesus, you are not a true follower. As followers we are sanctified, meaning “set apart for holy use”; we are not to conform to the values and attitudes of the unbelieving world. Jesus has given us instructions on how we are to conduct our lives. We need to follow those instructions.

All of the commandments Jesus gave His disciples are extensions of the two above. We may pick out a few of those extensions to focus our energies upon: we may work hard to feed the hungry and care for the homeless, for example, but if these are not done out of a love for Jesus, they are not evidence of being a true follower.  They may have worked diligently to ease the suffering of others, but if this is done out of their own convictions rather than a genuine love of Jesus/God/Holy Spirit…it does not satisfy that first test.  This is not to say they are unsaved.  The Greek words translated as “know” do not mean, “be aware of” but to “have an intimate, exploratory relationship with”.  If you have truly accepted Jesus, salvation is yours.  If you are not living by His commandments, you do not have that deeper relationship that brings peace and clarity in this life, and rewards in the hereafter.

 

APPENDIX

This material is adapted from the Commands of Christ Pocket Guide

• Command 1: Repent
• Command 2: Follow Me
• Command 3: Rejoice
• Command 4: Let Your Light Shine
• Command 5: Honor God’s Law
• Command 6: Be Reconciled
• Command 7: Do Not Lust
• Command 8: Keep Your Word
• Command 9: Go the Second Mile
• Command 10: Love Your Enemies
• Command 11: Be Perfect
• Command 12: Practice Secret Disciplines
• Command 13: Lay Up Treasures
• Command 14: Seek God’s Kingdom
• Command 15: Judge Not
• Command 16: Do Not Cast Pearls
• Command 17: Ask, Seek, and Knock
• Command 18: Do Unto Others
• Command 19: Choose the Narrow Way
• Command 20: Beware of False Prophets
• Command 21: Pray for Laborers
• Command 22: Be Wise as Serpents
• Command 23: Fear God, Not Man
• Command 24: Hear God’s Voice
• Command 25: Take My Yoke
• Command 26: Honor Your Parents
• Command 27: Beware of Leaven
• Command 28: Deny Yourself
• Command 29: Despise Not Little Ones
• Command 30: Go to Offenders
• Command 31: Beware of Covetousness
• Command 32: Forgive Offenders
• Command 33: Honor Marriage
• Command 34: Be a Servant
• Command 35: Be a House of Prayer
• Command 36: Ask in Faith
• Command 37: Bring In the Poor
• Command 38: Render to Caesar
• Command 39: Love the Lord
• Command 40: Love Your Neighbor
• Command 41: Await My Return
• Command 42: Take, Eat, and Drink
• Command 43: Be Born Again
• Command 44: Keep My Commandments
• Command 45: Watch and Pray
• Command 46: Feed My Sheep
• Command 47: Baptize My Disciples
• Command 48: Receive God’s Power
• Command 49: Make Disciples

 

The following is from: Commandments-of-Jesus by Samuel Mills

1. “When you stand praying, forgive”

“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your sins.” (Mark 11:25-26 NIV)

2. “You must be born again”

“You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.” (John 3:7 KJV)

3. “Remain in Me and I will remain in you”

When you ask Jesus into your heart and He becomes your Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit actually lives in you, and you in Him. Here Jesus uses a grape vine to compare our relationship with Him. “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” ( John 15:4 NIV)

4. “Let your light shine before men”

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ” In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matt 5:14;16 NIV)

5. “Settle matters quickly with your adversary”

“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.” (Matt 5:25 NIV)

6. “Get rid of whatever causes you to sin”

“If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.”(Matt 5:29-30 NIV)

7. “Do Not Swear at All”

“But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” (Matt 5:34-37 KJV)

8. “Do Not Resist an Evil Person”

(Turning the other cheek.)

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matt 5:38-39 NIV)

9. “Giving More than is Demanded”

(Going the extra mile)

“And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” (Matt 5:40-42 NIV)

10. “Love Your Enemies”

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matt 5:43-45 NIV)

11. “Give to Please God, Not to be Seen”

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” (Matt 6:1 NIV)

12. “Pray Privately, Not to be Seen of Men”

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.” (Matt 6:5-7 NIV)

13. “This, then, is how you should pray”

“This, then, is how you should pray: ” ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matt 6:9-15 NIV)

14. “Fast Without Fanfare”

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.” (Matt 6:16 NIV)

15. “Do not Store up Treasures on Earth”

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt 6:19-21 NIV)

16. “Do not Worry about Your Needs”

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matt 6:25-26 NIV) Commandments of Jesus

17. “Do not Worry about Tomorrow”

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matt 6:34 NIV)

18. “Place God First”

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt 6:33 NIV)

19. “Do not Judge”

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matt 7:1-2 NIV)

20. “Guard what is Sacred”

“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.” (Matt 7:6 NIV)

21. “Ask, Seek, and Knock”

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matt 7:7 NIV)

22. “Care for Those in Distress”

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” (Matt 25:34-36 NIV)

23. “Enter Through the Narrow Gate”

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matt 7:13-14 NIV)

24. “Watch out for false prophets”

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” (Matt 7:15 NIV)

25. “Exercise Spiritual Power”

“He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.” (Matt 10:1 NIV)

“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matt 10:8 NIV)

26. “Do not Despise Childlike Believers”

“See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” (Matt 18:10 NIV) Commandments of Jesus

27. “Do not Exalt Yourself”

“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matt 23:8-12 NIV)

28. “Settle Disputes Between Believers in this Manner…”

“If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”(Matt 18:15-17 NIV)

29. “Do not Oppose Other Christian Groups”

“Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”

“Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us.” (Mark 9:38-40 NIV)

30. “Have Complete Faith in God”

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:22-24 NIV)

31. “Do as the Good Samaritan Did”

“The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’ Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37 NIV)
(In reference to the “Good Samaritan”)
(See Luke 10:30-35)

32. “Love One Another”

(This commandment of Jesus summarizes all the others.)

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” (John 15:12 KJV)

33. “Do this in Remembrance of Me”

“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.'”
“In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.'” (Luke 22:19-20 NIV)

34. “You Should also Wash One Another’s Feet”

“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14 NIV)

35. “Be Merciful”

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36 NIV)

36. “Go and Make Disciples of All Nations, Baptizing Them”

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt 28:19-20 NIV)

37. “Obey What I Command”

“If you love me, you will obey what I command.” (John 14:15 NIV)

38. “You Must be Ready”

“You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Luke 12:40 NIV) Commandments of Jesus.

 

The following is from: The Commandments of Jesus: the Complete List by Bill McGinnis Ministries

The Other Commandments Of Jesus

1. “FORGIVE EVERYBODY OF ALL THEIR OFFENSES AGAINST YOU.”

(Forgive, and be forgiven.) As you forgive other people, God will forgive you.

“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12 KJV)

“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.  But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25-26 KJV)

“YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN.”

Being “born again” means casting off the spirit of the flesh and taking on the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, Who is given by the grace of God to those who believe in Jesus Christ as the only-begotten Son of God, risen from the dead.  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” (John 3:7 KJV)

3. “ABIDE IN ME, AND LET ME ABIDE IN YOU.”

When you accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour, His Holy Spirit moves into your heart. He actually lives in you, and you live in Him. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” (John 15:4 KJV)

“LET PEOPLE SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS.” (Do not hide your light under a basket.)

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 KJV; see also Matthew 5:15)

5. “END DISPUTES QUICKLY.”

“Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.” (Matthew 5:25 KJV)

6. “WHATEVER CAUSES YOU TO SIN, GET RID OF IT.”

“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. 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 5:29-30 KJV)

7. “DO NOT SWEAR OATHS AT ALL.”

“But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:  Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.  Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.  But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” (Matthew 5:34-37 KJV)

8. “DO NOT RETURN OFFENSE FOR OFFENSE.” (Turn the other cheek.)

“Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:  But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:38-39 KJV)

9. “GIVE WHAT PEOPLE ASK OF YOU, AND GIVE MORE THAN IS REQUIRED.” (Go the extra mile.)

“And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.  Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.” (Matthew 5:40-42 KJV)

“LOVE YOUR ENEMIES AND THOSE WHO WORK AGAINST YOU.”

“But I 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.”  (Matthew 5:43-45 KJV)

11. “GIVE TO THE POOR TO PLEASE GOD, NOT TO GAIN APPROVALFROM OTHER PEOPLE.”

“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:1 KJV)

12. “PRAY PRIVATELY AND SIMPLY, NOT TO IMPRESS OTHER PEOPLE.”

“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: or they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.   But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.  But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.”  (Matthew 6:5-7 KJV)

13. “MAKE YOUR PRAYERS BE LIKE THE LORD’S PRAYER.”

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil: For thine is the  kingdom, And the power, And the glory, For ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-15 KJV)

14. “WHEN YOU FAST, DO IT SECRETLY, NOT FOR SHOW.”

“Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” (Matthew 6:16)

15. “STORE UP YOUR TREASURES IN HEAVEN, NOT ON EARTH.”

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)

16. “DO NOT WORRY ABOUT YOUR MATERIAL NEEDS.”

“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?  Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?”  (Matthew 6:25-26 KJV)

17. “DO NOT WORRY ABOUT THE FUTURE.”

“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” (Matthew 6:34 KJV)

18. “MAKE GOD YOUR HIGHEST PRIORITY, AND HE WILL TAKE CARE OF ALL YOUR NEEDS.”

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33 KJV)

19. “DO NOT JUDGE OTHER PEOPLE.” (Judge not, lest ye be judged.)

“Judge not, that ye be not judged.  For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.”  (Matthew 7:1-2 KJV)

So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. (John 8:7 KJV)

20. “DO NOT GIVE HOLY THINGS TO DOGS OR CAST YOUR PEARLSBEFORE SWINE.”

“Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” (Matthew 7:6 KJV)

21. “ASK GOD FOR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO HAVE.” (Seek, and yeshall find.)

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:” (Matthew 7:7 KJV)

22. “FEED THE HUNGRY, CLOTHE THE NAKED, SHELTER THE HOMELESS,COMFORT THOSE IN DISTRESS.”

“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:  Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.” (Matthew 25:34-36 KJV)

23. “FOLLOW THE NARROW PATH TO LIFE.” (Enter by the narrow gate.)

The wide gate is the gate you simply stumble through, when you are not paying attention.  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14 KJV)

24. “BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS.”

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” (Matthew 7:15 KJV)

25 “EXERCISE POWER OVER UNCLEAN SPIRITS.”

“And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.” (Matthew 10:1 KJV)

“Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:8 KJV)

26. “LOVE LITTLE CHILDREN, DO NOT DESPISE THEM.”

“Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 18:10 KJV)

27. “DO NOT TAKE THE TITLES ‘MASTER’ OR ‘FATHER’ FOR YOURSELF.”

“But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.  And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.  Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.   But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” (Matthew 23:8-12 KJV)

28. “RESOLVE DISPUTES IN AN ORDERLY WAY, LIKE THIS . . . “

“Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.  But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.   And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.” (Matthew 18:15-17 KJV)

29. “DO NOT OPPOSE OTHER BELIEVERS IN CHRIST WHO ARE NOT IN YOUR GROUP.”

“And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.   But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.  For he that is not against us is on our part.” (Mark 9:38-40 KJV)

30. “HAVE TOTAL FAITH IN GOD FOR EVERYTHING.”

“And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.  For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.  Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” (Mark 11:22-24 KJV)

31. “BE LIKE THE GOOD SAMARITAN.” (Go, and do likewise.)

“Then Jesus said unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.” (Luke 10:37b KJV)

This was in reference to the Parable Of The Good Samaritan, who helped and took care of a man who had been attacked by robbers. (See Luke 10:30-35)

32. “LOVE OTHER PEOPLE AS I HAVE LOVED YOU”

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” (John 15:12 KJV)

NOTE: This one commandment summarizes all the others.

33. “EAT BREAD AND DRINK WINE IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.”

“And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: do this in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” (Luke 22:19-20 KJV)

34. “WASH ONE ANOTHER’S FEET.”

The full meaning of this dramatic command is for us to care for each other’s needs as if they were our own. He also wants us literally to wash each other’s feet.

“If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14 KJV)

35. “BE MERCIFUL.”

“Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.” (Luke 6:36 KJV)

” . . . for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” (Luke 6:35b KJV)

 

36. “GO AND TEACH ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM.”

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20 KJV)

37. “KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS.”

“If you love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15 KJV)

38. “BE PREPARED FOR YOUR MASTER TO RETURN.”

“Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” (Luke 12:40 KJV