When Jesus walked the earth, He spent most of His time teaching and training His disciples. He knew that He wouldn’t be with them forever, so He gave them commandments to follow even after He had gone back to heaven. These commandments are still relevant today and are essential for anyone who wants to live a life that pleases God.
The Commandments Jesus Gave His Disciples
1. Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
This is the greatest commandment of all (Mark 12:30). Jesus wants us to love God above everything else in our lives. We should have a deep affection for Him and seek to honor Him in everything we do.
2. Love your neighbor as yourself.
The second greatest commandment is to love others as we love ourselves (Mark 12:31). This means treating others with kindness, compassion, and respect. We should put their needs above our own and seek their well-being.
3. Make disciples of all nations.
Jesus commanded His disciples to go into all the world and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). This means sharing the good news of salvation with others and teaching them how to follow Jesus.
4. Baptize believers in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
As part of making disciples, Jesus commanded His followers to baptize those who believe in Him (Matthew 28:19-20). Baptism is an outward expression of an inward faith in Jesus.
5. Observe all that Jesus has commanded.
Finally, Jesus told His disciples to obey all that He had commanded them (Matthew 28:20). This includes following the other four commandments listed above as well as any other instructions or teachings that Jesus gave during His time on earth.
Why These Commandments Are Important
These commandments are important for several reasons. First, they help us to love God and others as we are called to do. When we follow these commandments, we show our love for God and demonstrate His love to others.
Second, these commandments help us to fulfill our purpose as Christians. We are called to make disciples of all nations and share the gospel with others. Following these commandments helps us to do that effectively.
Finally, following these commandments helps us to grow in our faith and become more like Jesus. As we seek to obey Him and follow His teachings, we become better disciples and bring glory to God.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the commandments that Jesus gave His disciples are still relevant today. They help us to love God and others, fulfill our purpose as Christians, and grow in our faith. Let’s strive each day to follow these commandments and live a life that pleases God.