Christ did give Christians a list of "do's" and "don't's"

[Nehemiah6]

There are many Christians who mistakenly believe that Jesus did not give us a list of "do's" and "don't's". They claim that any such thing is "legalism". But that is completely false. When we study the Sermon on the Mount (which is indeed for the disciples of Christ) we discover that clearly there are "do's" and "don'ts" which are commanded. And Christ likens the one who obeys His commands to a wise man who built his house upon a rock.

The "do's" which Christ has given:
1. Matthew 5:3-12: The Beatitudes: give eight things required of Christians.
2. Matthew 5:13-16: Christians are to be "Salt" and "Light".
3. Matthew 6:1-4: Christian giving must be in secret.
4. Matthew 6:5-8;7-11: Christian prayers must be in secret, and they involve asking and receiving.
5. Matthew 6:9-15: The Lord's Prayer is for Christians.
6. Matthew 6:16-18: Christian fasting must be in secret.
7. Matthew 7:12: Application of the Golden Rule sums up God's commandments.
8. Matthew 7:13-14: Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
9. Matthew 7:24-29: Wisdom means doing what Christ has commanded.

The "don'ts" which Christ has given:
1. Matthew 5:21-26: Unrighteous anger and grudges are forbidden.
2. Matthew 5:27-32: Marriage violations are forbidden.
3. Matthew 5:33-37: Oaths are forbidden.
4. Matthew 5:38-48: Retaliation and vengeance are forbidden.
5. Matthew 6:19-24: Hoarding of wealth is forbidden.
6. Matthew 6:25-34: Anxious thoughts about daily provision is forbidden.
7. Matthew 7:1-5: Unrighteous judging is forbidden.
8. Matthew 7:6: Casting pearls before swine is forbidden.

 

[Gideon300]

There are many Christians who mistakenly believe that Jesus did not give us a list of "do's" and "don't's". They claim that any such thing is "legalism". But that is completely false. When we study the Sermon on the Mount (which is indeed for the disciples of Christ) we discover that clearly there are "do's" and "don'ts" which are commanded. And Christ likens the one who obeys His commands to a wise man who built his house upon a rock.

The "do's" which Christ has given:
1. Matthew 5:3-12: The Beatitudes: give eight things required of Christians.
2. Matthew 5:13-16: Christians are to be "Salt" and "Light".
3. Matthew 6:1-4: Christian giving must be in secret.
4. Matthew 6:5-8;7-11: Christian prayers must be in secret, and they involve asking and receiving.
5. Matthew 6:9-15: The Lord's Prayer is for Christians.
6. Matthew 6:16-18: Christian fasting must be in secret.
7. Matthew 7:12: Application of the Golden Rule sums up God's commandments.
8. Matthew 7:13-14: Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
9. Matthew 7:24-29: Wisdom means doing what Christ has commanded.

The "don'ts" which Christ has given:
1. Matthew 5:21-26: Unrighteous anger and grudges are forbidden.
2. Matthew 5:27-32: Marriage violations are forbidden.
3. Matthew 5:33-37: Oaths are forbidden.
4. Matthew 5:38-48: Retaliation and vengeance are forbidden.
5. Matthew 6:19-24: Hoarding of wealth is forbidden.
6. Matthew 6:25-34: Anxious thoughts about daily provision is forbidden.
7. Matthew 7:1-5: Unrighteous judging is forbidden.
8. Matthew 7:6: Casting pearls before swine is forbidden.

You do not understand why Lord Jesus taught these things. Lord Jesus was pointing out that the Law alone was insufficient to meet God's standard of holiness and righteousness. His worst enemies, the Pharisees, were technically righteous in that they scrupulously obeyed the Law. Lord Jesus told all who were listening that God looks at the heart attitude, not outward conformity to a set of rules.

Those who imagine that they can obey the Law are kidding themselves. As soon as you break the Law, you are doomed. So, under Law, there is no salvation. Telling someone not to worry is all well and good. It does not give that person any power to obey that instruction. What we need is not a new set of instructions - who does not know that worry is pointless? - but a new nature that does not worry. And who knows what casting pearls before swine means? I do, because the Lord revealed it to me through Watchman Nee. It surely does not mean throwing jewelry in front of pigs!

Do's and don'ts are for children, who are under (or should be) the rule of their parents. Those who are born again need to grow up and be led by the Spirit, and empowered by the Spirit to obey the Lord Jesus in all things. That is a far higher level of living than any law that can be followed.

An example may help. I know a woman who was quite ill in hospital. Her pastor was called in to pray for her. He sat with her for a while, then got up. He said that he was not going to pray for her because she was in rebellion against her husband. She realised that it was true and she repented. She was healed. The woman was a friend of mine and she told me about it.

You won't find instructions in the Bible about this specific incident. If anything, people would accuse the pastor of being heartless. Yet the same could be said of Jesus when He refused to go to Bethany to pray for Lazarus.

Sin is the result of disobedience. To obey is the highest calling of the Christian. It requires faith. But obedience to what? It's not to a set of rules. It is to the Lord Jesus, who is the Lawgiver but also the Lawkeeper in our hearts. When quit trying to please God and alow the Lord Jesus to lead and empower us, God is satisfied. And so are we. It's a life of peace and joy.

Lord Jesus came to give us new life, not a harder set of rules that we have to follow. It pays to study all of God's word, not just cherry pick ideas that appeal to us.

 

[Blik]

Lord Jesus told all who were listening that God looks at the heart attitude, not outward conformity to a set of rules.

Those who imagine that they can obey the Law are kidding themselves. .

It is a good post, and I mostly agree, but I would like to comment about obedience.

If we obey through our heart, then our obedience would almost always, but not always, obey "the law". Christ would not ask us to not be truthful with ourselves, yet we are asked to be perfect. When we repent of sin and strive for perfection it is not kidding ourselves it is listening to Christ because we love Him.