Commands of Jesus We Should Take to Heart

Jesus’ teachings are central to the Christian faith, providing guidance on how to live in a way that reflects God’s love and purpose. His commands are not just rules; they are vital principles that can transform our lives and relationships. Here’s a list of key commands from Jesus that we should take to heart:

1. Love One Another

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (John 13:34)

• Jesus emphasizes love as the greatest command, urging us to love others selflessly and unconditionally, just as He loves us.

2. Repent and Believe

"The time has come... Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15)

• Jesus calls us to turn away from sin and put our faith in Him, embracing the transformative power of the Gospel.

3. Follow Me

"Then he said to them, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’"(Mark 8:34)

• To follow Jesus means to prioritize Him above all else, to embrace sacrifice, and to pursue His path for our lives.

4. Go and Make Disciples

"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." (Matthew 28:19)

• The Great Commission instructs us to share the Gospel and make disciples, fulfilling our mission as followers of Christ.

5. Do Not Worry

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life... Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?" (Matthew 6:25)

• Jesus encourages us to trust in God’s provision and not to let worry dominate our lives, reflecting faith in His care for us.

6. Serve Others

"Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant..." (Matthew 20:26)

• Jesus redefines greatness by calling us to serve others humbly, reflecting His nature as a servant leader.

7. Forgive Others

"For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." (Matthew 6:14)

• The call to forgiveness highlights the importance of letting go of grudges and extending grace, mirroring God’s forgiveness toward us.

8. Seek First His Kingdom

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33)

• Jesus teaches us to prioritize God’s kingdom and righteousness above earthly concerns, trusting that He will provide what we need.

9. Be Salt and Light

"You are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world." (Matthew 5:13-14)

• We are called to influence the world positively, preserving goodness and shining the light of Christ in our actions and words.

10. Treat Others as You Want to Be Treated

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you..." (Matthew 7:12)

• This command, known as the Golden Rule, encourages empathy and kindness in our interactions, promoting a culture of respect and love.

11. Rejoice and Be Glad

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad..." (Matthew 5:11-12)

• Jesus reminds us to find joy even in trials, knowing that we are blessed when we stand firm in our faith.

12. Abide in Me

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)

• This command emphasizes the importance of a close, personal relationship with Jesus, from which all spiritual growth flows.

13. Ask, Seek, Knock

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." (Matthew 7:7)

• Jesus encourages persistent prayer and the pursuit of a deeper relationship with God, reminding us of His willingness to respond to our needs.

14. Be Merciful

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (Matthew 5:7)

• Jesus highlights the importance of showing mercy to others, reflecting God’s compassion in our actions.

15. Believe in Me

"Jesus replied, 'Very truly I tell you, the one who believes in me has eternal life.'" (John 6:47)

• Faith in Jesus as the source of eternal life is central to His message, inviting us to trust in His saving grace.

These commands from Jesus serve as guiding principles for our daily lives. They challenge us to live authentically, love genuinely, and reflect God’s character in all that we do. By taking these teachings to heart, we can grow in our faith and make a positive impact on the world around us.