Scriptural Principles for Followers of Jesus Christ

“If you love me, you will obey what I command” (John 14:15)

The Greatest Commandment

1. Love the Lord your God with all your heart. (Matt.22:37)

The Second Commandment

2. Love your neighbour as yourself. (Matt.22:39)

Jesus Our Example

3. Take Christ for an example and follow in his steps. (1 Peter 2:21; Luke 14:27)

4. Be imitators of God. Let Christ’s teachings live in you. Be a noteworthy example. (Eph.3:17; Col.3:16; Matt.5:16; Phil.2:16)

Discipleship

5. Continue to show your faith and confidence in God. (1 Cor.16:13; 1 Tim.6:12; Heb.11:6; 2 Tim.1:13; 2:22)

6. Be holy in all that you do. Be eager and tireless in your efforts to do good. (1 Peter 1:1 5-16; Eph.6:5-8; Titus 2:14; Gal.6:9)

7. Whatever you do, do it with all your heart for the Lord. (Col.3:23)

8. Follow after whatsoever things are true, noble, right, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. (Phil.4:8)

9. Be self-controlled, compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, meek, merciful, forgiving, sober, grave, sincere, and temperate. (Col.3:12-14; 2 Tim.2:24; Titus 2:2; Eph.4:32; Phil.4.5; 1 Pet.1:13; 5:8)

10. Be watchful, vigilant, courageous, joyful, courteous, blameless, harmless and in a continual state of readiness for his coming. (1 Cor.16:13; Phil.2:5; 4:4; 1 Thess.5:6-10)

11. Choose to think about spiritual things, not material things and, by this process, you will become a new person. (Rom.12:2; Col.3:2; 1 John 2:15)

12. Whatever you do, consider the effect of your action on the honour of God’s Name among men. Do all to the glory of God. (1 Cor.10:31; 3:17)

13. Be joyful in hope and patient in times of trouble. (Rom. 12:12)

14. Love your enemies; do good to them who hate you. Be forgiving. (Matt. 5:44; Rom.12:17; Col.3:3; Matt.6:14-15; 18:21-35)

15. Carry each others burdens and thus fulfil the law of Christ. Love one another. Serve one another in love. Live a life of love as Christ loved us. (Gal. 6:2; Phil. 2:4; John 13:34-35; Eph. 5:2)

16. Let all things be done in love, and in mutual submission. (1 Cor.16:14; 1 Pet.5:5)

Prayer and Confession

17. Pray for the forgiveness of your sins. (Matt.6:12-14; 1 John 1:9)

18. Don’t be weighed down with the anxieties of life. (Matt.6:31-34; Luke 21:34-36)

19. Avoid bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, dissensions, factions, hypocrisy, envy, greed, selfish ambition, sexual immorality, idolatry, witchcraft, teachers of error. (Eph.4:31; 5:3; 1 Peter 2:1; Gal.5:19-21; 2 Peter 2:1)

20. In everything give thanks to God and acknowledge him in all things. (Eph.5:20; Prov.3:6)

21. Pray for those who persecute you and harass you. (Matt.5:44)

22. Confess your faults one to another. (James 5:16)

23. Pray always; pray briefly and simply; pray in private. (Luke 18:1; Matt.6:6-8)

24. Pray for guidance to avoid temptation. (Matt.6:13: 26:41)

Obedience and Conformity

25. Obey authorities except where they conflict with God’s laws. (1 Peter 2:13; Acts 5:29)

26. Show integrity, sincerity and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those opposed have nothing bad to say about us. (Titus 2:7-8)

27. Refuse ungodliness and worldly passions and live self-controlled, upright and godly lives. (Titus 2:12)

Giving, Sharing and Receiving

28. Call him to remembrance daily, and frequently in the breaking of bread as he has appointed. (Matt.26:26-27; 1 Cor.11:24-26; Acts 2:42; 20:27; 1 Cor.16:2)

29. In everything, do for others what you would have them do for you. (Matt.7:12)

30. Give to everyone that asks you, and if anyone takes something of yours, don’t demand it back. (Luke 6:29-30)

31. Be humble, accept humble duties, befriend humble people. (Matt. 23:10-12; Rom. 12:16)

32. Be content with what you have. Always share with others, and help those in need. (1 Tim. 6:8; Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:16; Jas.1:27)

33. When you give something to a needy person, do it quietly and in private. (Matt. 6:1-4)

34. Give to everyone all that you owe them, be it money, respect or honour. (Rom.13:7-8)

35. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. (Rom.12:15)

Conflict Resolution

36. Live in peace with everyone. Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to wrath. (Hebrews 12:14; Jas.1:19)

37. Settle any disputes quickly; accept being wronged or cheated. (Matt.5:25; 1 Cor.6.7)

38. Don’t repay evil for evil or insult with insult. Instead, respond with a blessing. (Matt.5: 39-40; 1 Peter 3:9; Rom.12:17, 21)

39. If your brother or sister sins against you, go to them in private and try gently to resolve the matter. (Matt.18:15; Gal.6:1)

40. Do not judge or you, too, will be judged in the same way you judge. (Matt.7:1-2)

Speech

41. Talk about the gospel and your beliefs at every opportunity. (Mark 16:15; 2 Tim.4:2; Rom.10:8-10)

42. Let your communication be always full of grace, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Col.4:6)

43. Bless them that curse you; let no cursing come out of your mouth. (Matt.5:44; Rom.1 2:14)

44. Avoid lying; speak truthfully to your neighbour. (Col.3:9; Eph.4:25)

45. Don’t slander others and don’t give others a reason to slander you. (1 Tim.5:14; Titus 3:2)

46. Swear not at all; let your speech be “yes” and “no”. (Matt.5:34; Jas.5:12)

Family Relationships

47. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ; wives, love your husbands; husbands, love your wives. (Eph.5:21-6:4; Col.3:18-21; Titus 2:4)

48. Children, obey your parents. Fathers, encourage your children and be careful not to frustrate them. (Eph.6:4; Col.3:21)

49. Servants, submit yourselves with all respect; masters treat your servants fairly. (1 Pet.2:18; Eph.6:5-7)

50. Brethren, live in harmony with each other. (Heb.13:1; Gal.6:2)