Jesus Mandate for Godly Living
The following is a list of commands which form the basis of our life in Christ. Most were spoken directly by Christ; many were added for clarity by the writers of the epistles.
“If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15 NKJV)
The Greatest Commandment
“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37 NKJV)
The Second Commandment
“You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39 NKJV)
Jesus Our Example
“Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.” (1 Peter 2:21 NKJV; see also Luke 14:27)
Be imitators of God. Let Christ’s teachings live in you. Be a noteworthy example. (Ephesians 3:17; Colossians 3:16; Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:16)
Discipleship
“Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.” (1 Peter 2:21 NKJV; see also Luke 14:27)
Be imitators of God. Let Christ’s teachings live in you. Be a noteworthy example. (Ephesians 3:17; Colossians 3:16; Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:16)
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men.” (Colossians 3:23 NKJV)
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things. (Philippians 4:8 NKJV)
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.” (Colossians 3:12-14 NKJV; see also 2 Timothy 2:24; Titus 2:2; Ephesians 4:32; Philippians 4:5; 1 Peter 1:13; 5:8)
Be watchful, vigilant, courageous, joyful, courteous, blameless, harmless and in a continual state of readiness for his coming. (1 Corinthians 16:13; Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:6-10)
Choose to think about spiritual things, not material things and, by this process, you will become a new person. (Romans.12:2; Colossians.3:2.)
“Therefore , whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV; see also 3:17)
“rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfast in prayer.” (Rom. 12:12 NKJV)
“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44 NKJV; see also Romans 12:17; Matthew 6:14-15; Matthew 18:21-35)
“Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2 NKJV; see also Philippians 2:4) “”A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: as I have loved you, that you also love one another. “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love one for another.”” (John 13:34-35 NKJV; see also Ephesians 5:2)
Let all that you do be done with love, and in mutual submission. (1 Corinthians 16:14; 1 Peter 5:5)
Prayer and Confession
Pray for the forgiveness of your sins. (Matthew 6:12-14; 1 John 1:9)
Don’t be weighed down with the anxieties of life. (Matthew 6:31-34; Luke 21:34-36)
Avoid bitterness, wrath, anger, brawling, dissensions, factions, hypocrisy, envy, greed, selfish ambition, sexual immorality, idolatry, sorcery, teachers of error. (Ephesians 4:31; Ephesians 5:3; 1 Peter 2:1; Galatians 5:19-21; 2 Peter 2:1)
“giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” (Ephesians 5:20 NKJV)
“… and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” (Matthew.5:44 NKJV)
“Confess your trespasses one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed.” (James 5:16 NKJV)
Pray always; pray in private; pray briefly and simply. (Luke 18:1; Matthew 6:6-8)
Pray for guidance to avoid temptation. (Matthew.6:13: Matthew 26:41)
Obedience and Conformity
Obey authorities except where they conflict with God’s laws. (1 Peter 2:13-14; Acts 5:29)
“In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.” (Titus 2:7-8 NKJV)
“teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.” (Titus 2:12 NKJV)
Giving, Sharing and Receiving
Call the Lord Jesus to remembrance daily, and frequently in the breaking of bread as he has appointed. (Matthew 26:26-27; 1 Corinthians 11:24-26; Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2)
“”Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12 NKJV)
“”Give to everyone who asks you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.” (Luke 6:30 NKJV)
“”And do not be called teachers; for one is your teacher, the Christ. “But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. “And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:10-12 NKJV; see also Romans 12:16)
“And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” (1 Timothy 6:8 NKJV) Always share with others, and help those in need. (Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:16; James 1:27)
“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men to be seen by them. … “But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, “that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:1-4 NKJV)
“Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13:7-8 NKJV)
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15 NKJV)
Conflict Resolution
Live in peace with everyone. Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to wrath. (Hebrews 12:14; James 1:19)
Settle any disputes quickly; accept being wronged or cheated. (Matthew 5:25; 1 Corinthians 6:7)
” But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. “If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.” (Matthew 5:39-40 NKJV) “not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:9 NKJV); see also Romans 12:17, 21)
“”Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.” (Matthew 18:15 NKJV; see also Galatians 6:1)
“”Judge not , that you be not judged. “For with what judgement you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Matthew 7:1-2 NKJV)
Speech
“And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15 NKJV; see also 2 Timothy 4:2; Romans 10:8-10)
“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to to answer each one.” (Colossians 4:6 NKJV)
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. (Romans 12:14 NKJV; see also Matthew 5:44))
“Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.” (Ephesians 4:25 NKJV; see also Colossians 3:9)
“to speak evil of no one, to be peacable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.” (Titus 3:2 NKJV; see also 1 Timothy 5:14)
“But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth, or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgement.” (James 5:12 NKJV; see also Matthew 5:34)
Family Relationships
“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter towards them. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.” (Colossians 3:18-21 NKJV; see also Ephesians 5:21 to 6:4;Titus 2:4)
“Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men,” (Ephesians 6:5-7 NKJV; see also 1 Peter 2:18)
“Let brotherly love continue.” (Hebrews 13:1 NKJV; see also Galatians 6:2)