From the Book, Rules For Life: According To Jesus
Introduction
This post (an online version of the book) is intended to help the reader see what Jesus commanded His followers to do — how we should live out our lives and our faith.
We know that Jesus fulfilled the Law of Moses.
“For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.”
Romans 10:4
So we’re not going to get into the Law of Moses so much — just the Ten Commandments, which are a part of the Law. Living by the Ten Commandments is good but it does nothing to make us right with God. Rather, we are going to focus on the things that Jesus commanded us to do. We will only touch on the Ten Commandments and how Jesus taught us concerning them.
You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires.
Colossians 2:20-23
Does this nullify the Law of Moses or the Ten Commandments? No. Because the Law remains to show us that we cannot possibly fulfill the Law the way that Jesus did (perfectly). It still stands as a standard that no one can live up to; therefore, every human ever conceived needs the sacrificial atonement of Jesus on the cross to make him/her “right” with God. Besides, Jesus went beyond the letter of the Law into the heart of the issue.
I have seen where as many as 120 commands of Jesus are gleaned from the Gospels. But here we will only look at 33 that have to do with living a righteous life. I mean, “Go get a donkey” may have been a command of His, but we’re not looking at every little thing that He commanded.
If the reader wants to be truly blessed by Jesus in this lifetime, it becomes very important to live out the teachings (the commands) of our Savior on a daily, constant basis — not just once in a while. The teachings that we will look at here will be necessary for living a life that Jesus will honor. And when Jesus honors our lives, really good things happen — such as growing more like Him and closer to the Father and experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit.
This will be a quick study, so fasten your seatbelt and let’s take off into the lifestyle that beckons to us, for the glory of Jesus, our blessed Savior, His Father, and their Holy Spirit. For, it is this God — and this God only — Who gives us a life of love, faith, hope, and true spiritual power.
In Him, I pray that you will be truly blessed as you live life according to the rules of Jesus. “For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” ~ Jesus
(Matthew 11:30)
Next – Repent
Sections in this study:
Introduction
1: Repent
2: Be Born Again
3: Place God First
4: Love and Serve One Another
5: Live By Faith
6: Forgive Others
7: Remain in Jesus
8: Live Righteously Before Men
9: Avoid Bad Influences
10: Stay On The Narrow Path
11: Do Not Return Evil With Evil
12: Give More Than Is Demanded
13: Love Your Enemies
14: Check Your Motives
15: Pray Simply
16: Do Not Worry
17: Store Up Treasures In Heaven
18: Do Not Be Judgmental
19: Guard what is Sacred
20: Care For Those In Distress
21: Do Not Swear Oaths
22: Watch out for false prophets
23: Exercise Spiritual Power
24: Have Childlike Faith
25: Do Not Exalt Yourself
26: Settle Disputes Quickly
27: Settle Disputes Between Believers
28: Do not Oppose Brethren
29: Remember Me
30: Be Merciful
31: Make Disciples
32: Be Ready
33: Obey Jesus’ Commands
Closing Comments
