Commands of Christ

P.1

Walking with the Lord

When Jesus said, “Follow me,” He was expressing the goal of God in all creation—God walking with Man in perfect followship.

The purpose of all Christ’s teaching is to instruct us in how to achieve this marvelous privilege. We must delight in His Word and understand His ways and do His work in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Each of the forty-nine commands of Christ expresses an important aspect of our walk with the Lord and our love for others. Loving God and loving others must be the central focus of this study, because that is the sum total of all Christ’s teaching and of all the rest of the Scriptures.

Jesus said that if we love him, we will keep His Commandments.

John 14:15 (KJV 1900)

15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

The Greek word tero, translated keep, means to guard, protect, watch observe closely, and to hold fast.

During the days of celestial navigation, mariners, would use the expression keeping the stars, to ensure that they were keeping their course in the vast waters, navigators would keep the stars at a certain position, using them to guide the ship toward its destination.

Jesus used this same concept when He told His disciples to keep His command. The Commands are fixed “light” that can be trusted to guide us through the storms of life. If we follow them, we will arrive at our destination sagely, bearing much fruit.

As we keep Christ’s commands before us, we will be ready to live them out. 

p. 2

Leviticus 20:8 (KJV 1900)

8 And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the Lord which sanctify you. 

Commands of Christ

1.   Repent

Matthew 4:17 (KJV 1900)

17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Revelation 3:19 (KJV 1900)

19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Psalm 51:1–4 (KJV 1900)

1   Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness:

According unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

2   Wash me throughly from mine iniquity,

And cleanse me from my sin.

3   For I acknowledge my transgressions:

And my sin is ever before me.

4   Against thee, thee only, have I sinned,

And done this evil in thy sight:

That thou mightest be justified when thou speakest,

And be clear when thou judgest.

Acts 3:19 (KJV 1900)

19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;                                                                                         

Acts 8:22 (KJV 1900)

22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

Proverbs 1:23 (KJV 1900)

23  Turn you at my reproof:

Behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you,

I will make known my words unto you.

2 Corinthians 5:10 (KJV 1900)

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

2.    Follow me

Matthew 4:19 (KJV 1900)

19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

3.    Rejoice

Matthew 5:11–12 (KJV 1900)

11  Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12  Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

4.  Let Your Light Shine

Matthew 5:16 (KJV 1900)

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

5. Honor God’s Law

Matthew 5:17 (KJV 1900)

17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

6. Be Reconciled

Matthew 5:23–24 (KJV 1900)

23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

7.  Do Not Commit Adultery

Matthew 5:28–30 (KJV 1900)

28 But I 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.

8.  Keep Your Word

Matthew 5:37 (KJV 1900)

37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

9. Go the Second

Matthew 5:38–42 (KJV 1900)

38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 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. 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

10. Love Your Enemies

Matthew 5:44–46 (KJV 1900)

44 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; 45 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. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

11. Be Perfect

Matthew 5:46–48 (KJV 1900)

46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

  12. Practice Secret Disciples

Matthew 6:1–18 (KJV 1900)

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. 2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for 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. 6 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. 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we

forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

16 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. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

13. Lay Up Treasures

Matthew 6:19–21 (KJV 1900)

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.  

14. Seek God’s Kingdom

Matthew 6:33 (KJV 1900)

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

15. Judge Not

Matthew 7:1–3 (KJV 1900)

Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

16. Do Not Cast Pearls

Matthew 7:6 (KJV 1900)

6 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.

17. Ask, seek, and Knock

Matthew 7:7–8 (KJV 1900)

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

18. Do Unto Others

Matthew 7:12 (KJV 1900)

12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

19. Choose the Narrow

Matthew 7:13–14 (KJV 1900)

13 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: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

20. Beware of False Prophets

Matthew 7:15–16 (KJV 1900)

15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

21. Pray of Laborers 

Matthew 9:37–38 (KJV 1900)

37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 

38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

22. Be Wise as Serpents

Matthew 10:16 (KJV 1900)

16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as dove

23. Fear Not

Matthew 10:28 (KJV 1900)

28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

 24. Hear God’s Voice

Matthew 11:15 (KJV 1900)

15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 

25. Take My Yoke

Matthew 11:28–30 (KJV 1900)

Come unto me, 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.

26. Honor Your Parents

Matthew 15:4 (KJV 1900)

For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

27. Beware of Leaven

Matthew 16:6 (KJV 1900)

Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

28. Deny Yourself

Luke 9:23–25 (KJV 1900)

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

29. Despise Not Little Ones

Matthew 18:10 (KJV 1900)

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.

30. Go to Offenders

Matthew 18:15 (KJV 1900)

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.

31. Beware of Covetousness

Luke 12:15 (KJV 1900)

And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

32. Forgive Offenders

Matthew 18:21–22 (KJV 1900)

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

33. Honor Marriage

Matthew 19:4–6 (KJV 1900)

And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

34. Be a Servant

Mat 20:26-27

“But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:”

35. Be a House of Prayer

Matthew 21:13 (KJV 1900)

And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

36. Ask in Faith

Matthew 21:21–22 (KJV 1900)

Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

37. Bring In the Poor

Luke 14:12–14 (KJV 1900)

Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

38. Render to Caesar

Matthew 22:19–21 (KJV 1900)

Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.

39. Love the Lord

Matthew 22:37–38 (KJV 1900)

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.

40. Love Your Neighbor

Matthew 22:39–40 (KJV 1900)

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

41. Await My Return

Matthew 24:42–44 (KJV 1900)

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

42. Take, Eat, and Drank

Matthew 26:26–27 (KJV 1900)

26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

43. Be Born Again

John 3:7

John 3:7 (KJV 1900)

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

44. Keep My Commandments

John 14:15 (KJV 1900)

15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

45. Watch and Pray

Matthew 26:41 (KJV 1900)

41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

46. Feed My Sheep

John 21:15–16 (KJV 1900)

15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

47. Baptize My Disciple

Matthew 28:19 (KJV 1900)

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

48. Receive God’s Power

Luke 24:49 (KJV 1900)

49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

49. Make Disciples

Matthew 28:20 (KJV 1900)

20 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.

50. Provide Health Care

Luke 10:33–37 (KJV 1900)

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.