In 1967 a sermon on John 14:15 “If you love me you will keep my commandments” captured my soul. I have been studying this verse and related verses every since then. What are the commands of Jesus in the New Testament? Clearly Jesus is not talking about the Law because He frequently extended the OT Law in Matthew 5 and in other places. We need to examine ourselves each day to see if our actions, attitudes, and words meet the test of loving Jesus. Below [Z] are some lists that have been helpful. For commands from Acts to Revelations click here.
All scripture in NASB2020 version unless noted
1. Repent “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”” [Matthew 4:17] Jesus went back to heaven but His 2nd coming is near.
2. You must be born again – “3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God….5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it is coming from and where it is going; so is everyone who has been born of the Spirit.” …16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.””[John 3:3, 5-8, 16 NKJV]
3. Choose the narrow way – “13 Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” [Matthew 7:13-14]
4. Love God and your neighbor – “29a Jesus answered, “The foremost is,…30 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. 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”” [Mark 12:29-31]
5. Deny self – “Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. 24 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 25 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?”” [Luke 9:23-25 NLT, Amplified Bible]
6. Rejoice – “10 Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” [Matthew 5:10-12]
7. Let your light shine – “16 Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. [Matthew 5:16]
8. Jesus came to fulfill the Law – “17 Do not presume that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill.” [Matthew 5:17]
9. Do not be angry – “ 21 You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not murder,’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be answerable to the court.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be answerable to the court…” [Matthew 5:22-23, Exodus 20:13, 6th commandment].
10. Be reconciled – “23 Therefore, if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. [Matthew 5:23-25]
11. Do not lust – “27 You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; 28 but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” [Matthew 5:27-30, Exodus 20:14, 7th commandment]
12. Keep your word – “33 Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘ You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord. 37 But make sure your statement is, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil origin. [Matthew 5:33-37, Lev 19:12; Num 30:2; Deut. 23:21, 23]
13. Go the second mile – “38 You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, do not show opposition against an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other toward him also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.” [Matthew 5:38-42]
14. Love your enemies -“43 You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors, do they not do the same?” [Matthew 5:43-46, Lev 19:18]
15. Practice secret disciplines – “3 But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your charitable giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you…. 6 But as for you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you….17 But as for you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that your fasting will not be noticed by people but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” [Matthew 6:1-18]
16. Lay up the right treasure – “19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” [Matthew 6:19-21]
17. Seek God’s Kingdom – “33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you. [Matthew 6:33]
18. Do not judge – “1 Do not judge, so that you will not be judged. 2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? [Matthew 7:1-3]
19. Do not cast pearls – “6 Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” [Matthew 7:6]
20. Ask, seek, knock in prayer – “7 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. [Matthew 7:7-8]
21. The golden rule – “12 In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” [Matthew 7:12]
22. Beware of false prophets – “15 Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they?” [Matthew 7:15-16]
23. Pray for laborers – “37 Then He *said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore, plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”” [Matthew 9:37-38]
24. The Lord’s Prayer – “9 Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 ‘ Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. 11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread.12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. ’ 14 For if you forgive other people for their offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive other people, then your Father will not forgive your offenses.” [Matthew 6:9-15]
25. Fear not – “28 And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” [Matthew 10:28]
26. Hear the words of Jesus – “15 The one who has ears to hear, let him hear.” [Matthew 11:15]
27. Take My yoke – “28 Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.” [Matthew 11:28-30]
28. Be good to children – “10 See that you do not look down on one of these little ones; for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven. [Matthew 18:10]
29. Go to Offenders – “15 Now if your brother sins , go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that on the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter may be confirmed. 17 And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, he is to be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. [Matthew 18:15-17]
30. Forgive Offenders – “21 Then Peter came up and said to Him, “Lord, how many times shall my brother sin against me and I still forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus *said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy-seven times.” [Matthew 18:21-22]
31. Beware of greed – “15 But He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one is affluent does his life consist of his possessions.” [Luke 12:15]
32. Honor marriage – “4 And He answered and said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no person is to separate.” [Matthew 19:4-6]
33. Be a servant – “26b whoever wants to become prominent among you shall be your servant, 27 and whoever desires to be first among you shall be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” [Matthew 20:26-28]
34. Ask in faith – “21b Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. 22 And whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive it all.” [Matthew 21:21-22]
35. Bring in the poor – “ 12b “Whenever you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor wealthy neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you to a meal in return, and that will be your repayment. 13 But whenever you give a banquet, invite people who are poor, who have disabilities, who are limping, and people who are blind; 14 and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” [Luke 14:12-14].
36. Render to Caesar – ““19 Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax.” And they brought Him a denarius. 20 And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” 21They *said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He *said to them, “Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s. ” ” [Matthew 22:21-22]
37. Await My return – “42 Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming…. 44 For this reason you must be ready as well; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.” [Matthew 24:42-24].
38. Do not oppose others serving Jesus – “38 John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me. 40 For the one who is not against us is for us.” [Mark 9:38-40]
39. The Lord’s Supper Instituted – “26 Now while they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is My blood of the covenant, which is being poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.” [Matthew 26:26-28]
40. Keep watching and praying – “41 Keep watching and praying, so that you do not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” [Matthew 26:41]
41. Jesus said to all Disciples [Y]; go making Disciples [A1], encouraging their baptism, and teaching them to be Disciple-makers [A3] – “18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”[Matthew 28:18-20]
42. The Judgment – “34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 “‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me; I was in prison and you visited me.’” [Matthew 25:31-46 CSB]
43. Forgive others – “25 And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” [Mark 11:25-26 NKJV]
44. Be merciful – “36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” [Luke 6:36]
45. Who is your neighbor? – “30 Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he encountered robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. 31 And by coincidence a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan who was on a journey came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, 34 and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the Innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return, I will repay you.’ 36 Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” 37 And he said, “The one who showed compassion to him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.”” [Luke 10:30-37]
46. Love one another – “34 I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.” [John 13:34-36]
47. Jesus said believe in God – “1 Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many rooms; if that were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will take you to Myself, so that where I am, there you also will be. ” [John 14:1-3, Revelation 21:10-27]
48. Jesus said – 6…“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” [John 14:6]
49. Do I Love Jesus? – “21 The one who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and the one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will reveal Myself to him.” 23… “If anyone loves Me, he will follow My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him.” [Matthew 14:21,23]
50. Jesus said “do not be troubled” – “27 Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful.” [John 14:27].
51. Bear much fruit – “5 I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.” [John 15:5,8]
52. Remain in the love of Jesus – “10 If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.” [John 15:10]
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Notes: A– [A1- For how to have peace with God and become a Disciple [Y] click here, A2- for how to have the peace of God and grow as a Disciple click here, A3 for how to teach Disciples to be Disciple-makers click here]; X- 4 steps in The H.E.A.R method of Bible study and worship; Y- “Disciples” or “Christians”?; Z- What Jesus actually said; 49 Command of Jesus What are 49 Ways to Love God and Others?; The Commandments of Jesus
From the Four Gospels; Commands in the New Testament; The commands of Jesus; What commands did Jesus give us
My Personal Journey by Henry Luke 
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