Who taught you how to lie? Who taught you to take what doesn’t belong to you? Who taught you to resist authority in your heart? Most likely, no one had to teach you. It just came naturally. Why is it so easy to do wrong and so much harder to do right?

When we were born physically, we entered the material world; but spiritually, we entered a kingdom of darkness. We looked out for ourselves first – our needs, our interests, and whatever would make us happy. By nature, we did the works of Satan. We lied, stole, cheated, and took advantage of other people. We gossiped about others, and we hated them in our hearts. We loved money and possessions. We were jealous of those who had more than we did. Ultimately, we loved ourselves more than we loved God or anyone else. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned – every one – to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6).

A New Kingdom

When Jesus came to earth, He called people out of the kingdom of darkness. He called them to leave their old ways and follow Him. He called them to a new kingdom – a kingdom of righteousness instead of selfishness, love instead of hate, honesty instead of deceit. He called them to forsake their sinful desires, to change their lifestyles, and to live for eternity rather than for the present world.

Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Jesus is the only way of salvation, but He also said that the way to salvation would be hard: “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:14). The way is hard because Jesus did not call people to be part of a fan club; He called them to be followers. He did not allow them to remain in a lifestyle of sin; He commanded a radical change of mind, heart, thoughts, actions, and lifestyle. He did not promise a life of luxury; He said that anyone who wants to follow Him must “renounce all that he has” (Luke 14:33) and live for heavenly treasures instead (Matthew 6:20).

Jesus called people to leave the kingdom of darkness and devote their lives to the kingdom of God. Becoming a Christian is not about praying a prayer, walking forward for an altar call, or trying to live better than your neighbor. When Jesus called people, He said, “Follow Me” (Matthew 16:24). Becoming a Christian means putting your trust in Jesus for forgiveness of sins and committing to follow Him for the rest of your life. One or the other is not sufficient, as the early Christians understood:

• “To believe in Him is to do His will.” – Irenaeus (c. 180)
• “Into this joy, many persons desire to enter. They know that ‘by grace you are saved, not of works,’ but by the will of God through Jesus Christ. . . . But He who raised him up from the dead will raise up us also – if we do His will, and walk in His commandments, and love what He loved, keeping ourselves from all unrighteousness.” – Polycarp (c. 135)
• “If you repent of your sins, and recognize Him to be Christ, and observe His commandments, then . . . remission of sins will be yours.” – Justin Martyr (c. 160)

Becoming a Kingdom Christian

Becoming part of the kingdom of God is a two-step process. The first step is turning from sin and committing to follow Jesus. You can make this decision anywhere, anytime by simply praying to the Lord. Confess your sins to Him, and repent of the wrong choices you have made. Ask Him to forgive your sins and save you, and commit to follow His teachings.

Once you have made this commitment, the Bible says you need to be baptized. In water baptism, God washes away your past sins, and you are “born again” into the heavenly kingdom:

• “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 2:38
• “‘Unless a man has been born again of water and Spirit, he will not enter into the kingdom of the heavens’ [John 3:5]. These words have tied faith to the necessity of baptism. Accordingly, all thereafter who became believers were baptized.” – Tertullian (c. 198)
• “But there is no other way than this: to become acquainted with this Christ; to be washed in the fountain spoken of by Isaiah for the remission of sins; and for the rest, to live sinless lives.” – Justin Martyr (c. 160)

Remaining a Kingdom Christian

After you have made the kingdom commitment, the second step is to keep Jesus’ commandments to remain part of His kingdom. Jesus said, “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love” (John 15:10).

The Scriptures and the writings of the early Christians warn that salvation can be lost if we fail to keep Jesus’ commands:

• “If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.” – John 15:6
• “For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?” – Hebrews 10:26-29
• “Some think that God is under a necessity of bestowing even on the unworthy what He has promised to give. So they turn His liberality into His slavery. . . . For do not many afterwards fall out of grace? Is not this gift taken away from many? These, no doubt, are they who, . . . after approaching to the faith of repentance, build on the sands a house doomed to ruin.” – Tertullian (c. 203)
• “Those who do not obey Him, being disinherited by Him, have ceased to be His sons.” – Irenaeus (c. 180)
• “Whoever has confessed Christ is not greater, or better, or dearer to God than Solomon. As long as he walked in God’s ways, he retained the grace that he had received from the Lord. But after he abandoned the Lord’s way, he also lost the Lord’s grace. Therefore, it is written, ‘Hold tightly to what you have, so that no one will take your crown’ [Rev. 3:11]. But certainly the Lord would not threaten that the crown of righteousness could be taken away, were it not true that the crown must depart when righteousness departs. . . . It is also written, ‘He who stands firm until the end will be saved’ [Matt. 10:22].” – Cyprian (c. 250)
• “No one is a Christian but he who perseveres even to the end.” – Tertullian (c. 197)
• “Only those who fear the Lord and keep His commandments have life with God; but as for those who do not keep His commandments, there is no life in them.” – Hermas (c. 150)

Living the Christian life is not simply a one-time decision; it is a commitment to follow Jesus daily: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). This commitment should affect every area of your life – your thoughts, motives, attitudes, desires, and actions. It involves daily choices to turn from sin and turn to Jesus: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it” (Mark 8:34-35).

Following are some of the most commonly repeated commands in the New Testament. Each section includes one or more commands given by Jesus or the apostles, followed by a commentary from the early Christian writers who learned either directly or indirectly from the apostles. Additional references are listed for further study.

Righteousness

Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6). A hunger for righteousness is at the heart of the Christian life because our goal is to be like Jesus, who is completely righteous.

Commands:

• “It is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” – 1 Peter 1:16
• “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” – 1 John 2:3-6

Early Christian Application:

• “Let us then practice righteousness so that we may be saved unto the end.” – Second Clement (c. 150)
• “We do not teach concerning the unrighteous man that it is sufficient for him to humble himself on account of his wickedness. Rather, God will accept him only if – after passing condemnation upon himself for his past conduct – he walks humbly on account of it and in a righteous manner for his remaining days.” – Origen (c. 248)
• “Let us therefore earnestly strive to be found in the number of those that wait for Him, in order that we may share in His promised gifts. But how, beloved, will this be done? It will be done only by the following things: If our understanding is fixed by faith towards God; if we earnestly seek the things that are pleasing and acceptable to Him; if we do the things that are in harmony with His blameless will; and if we follow the way of truth, casting away from us all unrighteousness and iniquity.” – Clement of Rome (c. 96)
• “God had foreseen . . . that faith – even after baptism – would be endangered. He saw that most persons, after obtaining salvation, would be lost again by soiling the wedding dress, by failing to provide oil for their torches.” – Tertullian (c. 213)

Further Study:

• Matthew 5:14-16, 19; John 15:1-11; Philippians 4:8

Love: The Greatest Commandment

Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love God and other people. As Christians, we are to love not only our friends but also our enemies.

Commands:

• “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. . . . You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” – Mark 12:30-31
• “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:35

Early Christian Application:

• “All of us pray for you, and for all men, as our Christ and Lord taught us to do. For He commanded us to pray even for our enemies, and to love those who hate us, and to bless those who curse us.” – Justin Martyr (c. 160)
• “Loving one’s enemies does not mean loving wickedness, ungodliness, adultery, or theft. Rather, it means loving the thief, the ungodly person, and the adulterer – not as far as he sins (in respect of the actions by which he stains the name of man), but as he is a man and is the work of God.” – Clement of Alexandria (c. 195)

Further Study:

• Matthew 5:43-48; Romans 12:19-21; 1 Corinthians 13; 1 Peter 1:22

Bearing Fruit

The essence of the Christian life is to bear fruit. Just as we recognize a tree by its fruits, Jesus said in Matthew 7 that people would recognize us as Christians by the fruit in our lives.

Commands:

• “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” – John 15:7-8
• “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23

Early Christian Application:

• “The tree is made manifest by its fruit. So those who profess themselves to be Christians will be recognized by their conduct. . . . Those who profess to be Christ’s are known not only by what they say, but by what they practice.” – Ignatius (c. 105)
• “And let those who are not found living as He taught, be understood to be no Christians, even though they profess with the lip the precepts of Christ; for not those who make profession, but those who do the works, shall be saved, according to His word: ‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.’” – Justin Martyr (c. 160)

Further Study:

• Matthew 7:15-20; John 15:1-17; Romans 8:13-14; Galatians 5:19-26

Prayer

1 Thessalonians 5:17 exhorts believers to “pray without ceasing.” Jesus taught His followers specifically how to pray.

Commands:

• “Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’” – Matthew 6:9-13
• “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” – James 1:5

Early Christian Application:

• “The spiritual man does not use wordy prayer by his mouth. For he has learned to ask of the Lord what is necessary. In every place, therefore, but not ostensibly and visibly to the multitude, he will pray. While engaged in walking, in conversation, while in silence, while engaged in reading and in works according to reason, he prays in every situation.” – Clement of Alexandria (c. 195)
• “The exercise of prayer should not only be free from anger, but from all mental disturbances whatever. Prayer should be uttered from a spirit like the Spirit to whom it is sent. For a defiled spirit cannot be acknowledged by a holy Spirit, nor a sad one by a joyful one, nor a fettered one by a free one. . . . But what reason is there to go to prayer with hands indeed washed, but the spirit foul?” – Tertullian (c. 198)
• “The whole life of the spiritual man is a holy festival. His sacrifices are prayers, praises, and readings in the Scriptures before meals. They are psalms and hymns during meals and before bed – and prayers also again during the night. By these, the spiritual man unites himself to the divine choir.” – Clement of Alexandria (c. 195)

Further Study:

• Matthew 6:5-8; Matthew 7:7-11; Mark 11:22-25; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Separation from the World

As we draw closer to the Lord through prayer, we realize the importance of being separate from the world. The laws and values of God’s kingdom are completely contrary to those of this world, and being part of His kingdom requires that we separate ourselves from worldly activities, desires, and pleasures.

Commands:

• “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life – is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” – 1 John 2:15-17

Early Christian Application:

• “This world and the next are two enemies. . . . We cannot therefore be the friends of both.” – Second Clement (c. 150)
• “He who has attained to trust, having put off the former man, should reflect on only heavenly and spiritual things. He should give no heed to the world that he has already renounced.” – Cyprian (c. 250)
• “Christ has not merely related to us a story about a poor man and a rich one [Luke 16:19-31]. Rather, He has taught us some things: In the first place, He has taught that no one should lead a luxurious life. No one should live in worldly pleasures and perpetual feasting. No one should be the slave of his lusts and forget God.” – Irenaeus (c. 180)
• “From the very beginning, then, this was inculcated as a precept of Jesus among His hearers, that men should despise the life which is eagerly sought after by the multitude, but be earnest in living the life which resembles that of God.” – Origen (c. 230)

Further Study:

• Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 6:17; James 4:4

Words

One of the ways in which we are to be separate from the world is in our speech.

Commands:

• “But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another.” – Colossians 3:8-9
• “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” – Colossians 3:16

Early Christian Commentary:

• “From filthy speaking we ourselves must entirely abstain, and stop the mouths of those who practice it by stern looks and averting the face. . . . ‘For what proceeds out of the mouth,’ He says, ‘defiles a man’ [Matt. 15:11].” – Cyprian (c. 250)
• “We will give account to God not only of deeds (as slaves) [Matt. 12:36], but even of words and thoughts (as those who have truly received the power of liberty). For under liberty, a man is more severely tested as to whether he will reverence, fear, and love the Lord.” – Irenaeus (c. 180)

Further Study:

• Matthew 5:21-22; Matthew 5:33-37; Matthew 7:1-5; Matthew 12:36-37; Ephesians 4:29; James 1:19-20; James 3:6-10

Humility

The Bible teaches that we are to have a spirit of humility in everything we do.

Commands:

• “The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” – Matthew 13:11-12
• “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” – 1 Peter 5:5

Early Christian Application:

• “By this precept and by these rules let us establish ourselves, that we walk with all humility in obedience to His holy words. For the holy Word says, ‘This is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at My word’ [Isa. 66:2].” – Clement of Rome (c. 96)
• Life is the possession of all who keep the commandments of the Lord. In the commandments there is no rivalry in regard to who is first, or glory of any kind. There is only patience and personal humility. Among these people, then, is the life of the Lord; but among the quarrelsome and transgressors, there is death.” – Hermas (c. 150)
• “Let us clothe ourselves with concord and humility, ever exercising self-control, standing far off from all whispering and evil-speaking, being justified by our works, and not our words.” – Clement of Rome (c. 96)

Further Study:

• Romans 12:3; James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:5-6

Forgiveness

Jesus taught us to pray, asking God to forgive us as we have forgiven others (Matthew 6:12). Forgiveness is an important part of loving others.

Commands:

• “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
• “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” – Matthew 6:14-15

Early Christian Application:

• “If then we entreat the Lord to forgive us, we ought also ourselves to forgive; for we are before the eyes of our Lord and God, and ‘we must all appear at the judgment seat of Christ, and every one must give an account of himself’ [2 Cor. 5:10].” – Polycarp (c. 135)
• “[The one who truly knows God] never remembers those who have sinned against him, but forgives them. For this reason, he righteously prays, saying, ‘Forgive us, for we also forgive’ [Luke 11:4].” – Clement of Alexandria (c. 195)
• “‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do’ [Luke 23:34]. In these words the longsuffering, patience, compassion, and goodness of Christ are exhibited, since He suffered and acquitted those who had mistreated Him. For the Word of God, who said to us, ‘Love your enemies, and pray for those who hate you’ [Matt. 5:44], did this very thing on the cross, loving the human race to such a degree that He even prayed for those putting Him to death.” – Irenaeus (c. 180)

Further Study:

• Matthew 18:23-35

Relationships

The New Testament gives specific instructions for God-honoring relationships with others.

Commands:

• “Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.” – Colossians 3:18-20
• “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God. . . . For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7

Early Christian Application:

• “Let the young men also be blameless in all things, being especially careful to preserve purity, and keeping themselves, as with a bridle, from every kind of evil. . . . The virgins also must walk with a blameless and pure conscience.” – Polycarp (c. 135)
• “Wives, be subject to your husbands in the fear of God; and virgins, to Christ in purity, not despising marriage but desiring that which is better . . . in order that you may meditate on the law [of Christ]. Children, obey your parents, and have affection for them, because they worked together with God to bring you into the world. . . . Husbands, love your wives as fellow servants of God, as your own body, as partners with you of life.” – Ignatius (c. 105)

Further Study:

• Matthew 5:8; Matthew 5:27-32; Matthew 19:5-6; Ephesians 5:3-8; Ephesians 5:22-33; 1 Corinthians 6:9-20; 1 Timothy 2:9-10; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7

Authority

Christians are to respectfully submit to authority. However, if authority figures command something directly contrary to Jesus’ teachings, the Bible says, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

Commands:

• “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” – Romans 13:1-2, 7

Early Christian Application:

• “It is not Satan who has appointed the kingdoms of this world, but God. . . . And the Word also says by Solomon, ‘By me, kings reign and princes administer justice’ [Prov. 8:15].” – Irenaeus (c. 180)
• “Christians obey the prescribed laws. In fact, they actually surpass the laws by their lives.” – Letter to Diognetus (c. 125-200)
• “We offer prayer for the safety of our rulers to the eternal, true, and living God. . . . We offer prayer without ceasing for all of our emperors. We pray for their prolonged lives and for security to the empire. We pray for the protection of the imperial house, for brave armies, a faithful senate, a virtuous people, and a world at peace.” – Tertullian (c. 197)
• “Be subject to all royal power and dominion in things that are pleasing to God. . . . Render to everyone the fear that is due to him: all offerings, all customs, all honor, gifts, and taxes.” – Apostolic Constitutions (compiled c. 390)

Further Study:

• Matthew 5:10-12, Mark 12:13-17; Acts 5:41; Hebrews 13:17; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:15-16

Money, Possessions, and Giving

Rather than coveting the possessions of others or desiring what we do not have, the Bible teaches that we should be content with the things we do have. As Christians, our treasures should be heavenly, not earthly; yet we also have a responsibility to care for the material needs of others.

Commands:

• “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” – 1 Timothy 6:6-8
• “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. . . . For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” – Luke 12:33-34
• “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” – James 1:27

Early Christian Application:

• “Wealth, when not properly governed, is a stronghold of evil. Many, because of casting their eyes on it, will never reach the kingdom of heaven. For they are sick for the things of the world, and are living proudly through luxury. . . . Love of money is found to be the stronghold of evil, which the apostle says ‘is the root of all evils’ [1 Tim. 6:10]. . . . But the best wealth is poverty of desires.” – Clement of Alexandria (c. 195)
• “The words of the Gospel, although probably containing a deeper meaning, may yet be taken in their more simple and obvious sense, as teaching us not to be disturbed with anxieties about our food and clothing. Rather, while living in plainness and desiring only what is needful, we should put our trust in the providence of God.” – Origen (c. 248)
• “Whom He has made rich, none will make poor. For, in fact, there can be no poverty in him [who] has once been supplied with heavenly food.” – Cyprian (c. 250)
• “Make Christ a partner with you in your earthly possessions, that He also may make you a fellow-heir with Him in His heavenly kingdom.” – Cyprian (c. 250)
• “This is the chief and truest advantage of riches: not to use wealth for the particular pleasure of an individual, but for the welfare of many.” – Lactantius (c. 304-313)
• “Let the poor be taken care of as much and as well as possible. I speak especially of those who have stood with unmovable faith and have not forsaken Christ’s flock.” – Cyprian (c. 250)

Further Study:

• Matthew 6:1-4; Matthew 6:19-33; Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:38; Luke 12:33-34; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Colossians 3:23-24; 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Perfection?

As seen above, Jesus gave many instructions to His followers, and His standards at times can seem overwhelming. While He does not require perfection in order to remain a part of the kingdom, He does ask for a consistent heart of love and obedience. We will be tempted, and we may sometimes fall. In those moments, let us come to the Lord, repent of our sins, and ask for His abundant mercy and forgiveness to wash away our sins (Hebrews 4:15-16; 1 John 2:1).

• “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9
• “‘Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute sin’ [Ps. 32:2]. That is, having repented of his sins, he can receive remission of them from God.” – Justin Martyr (c. 160)
• “If you return to the Lord with all your heart, and practice righteousness the rest of your days, and serve him according to His will, He will heal your former sins, and you will have power to hold sway over the works of the devil.” – Hermas (c. 150)

Looking unto Jesus

Becoming a Christian means becoming part of the kingdom of God. It means joining a family of believers who love and obey Jesus Christ. It means daily becoming more like Him and daily growing in our love for the Lord and for each other. According to Hebrews 12:1-2, it means looking unto Jesus and seeking to emulate His example: “Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.”