Jesus wants us to obey his commands, remembering them, learning them, applying them in a context of his body of believers once we are baptised. Revelation makes this clear too. It is not easy, but he wants us to overcome the problems and have constancy despite problems. Constantly keeping his commands. What then are his commands. What did Jesus and his apostles teach about them? Mainly they apply the ten commandments, in a way which gives light about God’s will within the body of Christ. Paul taught about it, in his Epistle to the Ephesians especially. Jesus, as found in the gospels. John in his three epistles. James taught about how to apply them. So did Peter in his epistles. Jesus taught even more in his letters to the seven churches found in Revelation. We first need to believe in Jesus, that he is the true light to our lives sent by the Father, and be baptised into his ways and teachings and eternal life promise. Then we are to learn these commands based on the ten commandments and the light of Jesus in how the Father’s will shall be done among us and individually by us too. There are ways to pray. There is a way to give, with utmost virtue. There are reasons to learn to tell the truth. The importance of never coveting is especially underlined in being free of sexual immorality. We are to live faithfully if we are married, with no adultery. Anger must be managed to avert sin, such as violence and unjust hatred. Teachings surrounding such things as these and more are given to support us in the details, and throughout all the teachings there is a theme of living truthfully, honestly, because it is knowledge of the truth that frees us to obey. Our lives must be consistent with truth, without hypocrisy. Going far away from these commands, leaving the straight and narrow, is so very risky because Revelation warns us there is a lake of fire end for all liars, murderers, idolaters, and so on. Embracing Lord Jesus’ commands averts this risk. This obedience, and the faith leading to it, leads to eternal life, and leads to us not dying in such sinfulness. Instead the commands and other teachings lead to NOT being a liar, NOT being a murderer, NOT being an adulterer, and so on. Church discipline within the body of Christ helps too, contributing to dealing with gross departures from what is right, and from this way of Christ. Prayer for each other, if we see each other straying, is important too. The Lord is alive forever, to intercede, and he is right beside the Father who can restore us to life. It is all so that we end up in the City of the New Jerusalem and not in the lake of fire. It is all so we can forever live in fellowship with Father, Son, and each other. The Father and Son make themselves known personally to those who hold to these commands, because doing this is how we show love towards the Father and the Son, and they in turn show love towards us. God bless you if you follow this way.
