The General Commands of Jesus

Everything begins with loving Him. These are simple commands of Jesus that we seek to obey, and help others obey — the ordinary shape of walking with Him. They begin with love, because all of it flows from loving God and loving people. They are plain enough that anyone can learn them, keep them in memory, and pass them on.

The Eight Commands

1. Love God Matthew 22:37; Luke 10:25–28; Luke 10:38–42
2. Love Neighbors, Love Enemies, Love Believers Matthew 22:39; Luke 6:27–35; John 13:34–35
3. Believe in Jesus, Repent, Receive the Holy Spirit John 3:16; Mark 1:14–15; John 20:19–22
4. Baptize Matthew 28:19; Acts 8:26–40
5. The Lord’s Supper Luke 22:14–20; Luke 24:13–35
6. Pray in the Name of Jesus Luke 11:1–13; John 14:13–14
7. Give Generously Mark 12:41–44
8. Make Disciples Matthew 28:16–20; Luke 10:1–9; 2 Timothy 2:2 See how this is passed on, generation after generation →

Living Them

This is not a checklist to master, but a life to grow into. We obey because we love Him (John 14:15; 1 John 2:3–6) — not to earn anything, but because love shows itself in listening and doing. Return to these often; memorizing and reviewing them keeps them within reach when the Lord gives an opportunity.

Passing Them On

The eighth command is where obedience becomes generational. As we help others learn to love and obey Jesus, we also help them help others — Paul to Timothy to faithful people to others still (2 Timothy 2:2), the same pattern of entrusting responsibility seen from Moses to the leaders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens (Exodus 18). We prepare people, practice alongside them, then release them to do the work themselves and to do the same for the next — entrusting them to the grace of God (Acts 20:32; 1 Peter 2:9). This is what we mean by disciple-through.

Read more about disciple-through and sowing freely →