Jesus Christ – Keeping and Teaching God's Commandments

When Jesus began His ministry He stated that He didn't come to change the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them. He took what was already established by Moses and built upon it until it was perfected, each time setting the standard higher. When the Law said, “You shall not commit murder,” Jesus said you are not even to be angry with your brother. When the Law said, “You shall not commit adultery,” Jesus said you are not even to look upon a woman to lust after her in your heart. When the Law said, “An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth,” Jesus said if someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. In all things He taught His disciples how to talk in love and be perfect as their heavenly Father is perfect. (Mt. 5:17-48)

Proper conduct was extremely important to Christ who not only taught man how to live but demonstrated it with His own life. If you study all the things Christ taught and then compare them to all the things He did you will find that His life was in perfect harmony with the commandments of God and everything He said in word, He practiced in deed. And He taught His disciples to do the same. Not only were they to teach the commandments of God but they were to live godly lives and so set an example for others to follow.

Both keeping and teaching the commandments of God were essential to Christ. He made a promise that, “Whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 5:19) If you take the original code of conduct – the Ten Commandments – and add the teachings of Christ you can form a Christian Code of Conduct. You now have a manual for Christian living. And this can be used as a guide to help you in both keeping and teaching the commandments of God. And if you keep His commandments Jesus promised to love you and make Himself real to you (Jn. 14:21). The next step is to learn what a code of conduct is and how you can form one of your own.

What is A Code of Conduct

As you study the Bible you will see that all the great men and women of God formed personal codes by which they lived. Psalm 101 is a perfect example where in David states what he will and will not do, saying:

“I will sing of loving kindness and justice.”

“I will give heed to the blameless way.”

“I will set no worthless thing before my eyes.”

“I will know no evil.” (vv 1-4)

He makes it personal using the expression, “I will” thus showing his convictions and resolution. No wonder he was a man after God's own heart. Only when he violated his own code of conduct did he get into trouble.

Others who had a personal code of conduct would include Joshua who said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15) and Peter who declared, “We  must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Job made a covenant with his eyes that he would not gaze at a virgin (Job 31:1) and Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or wine (Dan. 1:8). Paul coveted no one's silver or gold or clothes (Acts 20:33) but allowed others to make a living from the gospel (1 Cor. 9:14). All were men of strong convictions who lived out what they believed.

Every follower of Christ needs to do the same. Not only is it important for you to know what you believe (doctrine) but it is also important for you to know how God wants you to behave (conduct). Begin to form your own code of conduct. Write down in your Bible what you will and will not do and then stick to it. If you read in the Bible, “Let him who steals, steal no longer” (Eph. 4:28) write down next to it, “I will not take what does not belong to me.” You will find that your own convictions will grow stronger and your character will develop. In essence a code of conduct says, “This is what I believe, so this is what I will do.”