The idea for The Ten Commandments of Jesus came to me in reaction to the excessive prominence given to the Ten Commandments by some identifying as Christians. The politicization of the Ten Commandments and generally of certain claimants of Christianity seemed so clearly contrary to the reported teachings of Jesus that I felt they needed stronger pushback.

If the many claims of ‘Christian’ attending Christian nationalism and the like were ’tested’ by the call of the Ten Commandments of Jesus, perhaps some of our fellow Americans would be appalled by the disparity.

 

I 

Be completely humble and gentle, be patient forgiving one another in love

II 

Be compassionate in the way your Father is compassionate

III 

Let all that you do be done in love

IV 

Let us love, not in word or speech but in truth and action

V 

Let us love one another because love is from God for God is love

VI 

Love your enemies and pray for your persecutors

VII 

Love your enemies and do good, and lend expecting nothing in return

VIII 

You are to love your neighbor as yourself

IX 

This is my order to you: you are to love each other just as I have loved you

X 

Clothe yourselves in love which binds everything together in perfect harmony

 

 

Adapted from JSV translation © 1993

 

I.         Ephesians 4:2-3

II.       Luke 6:36

III.     1 Corinthians 16:14

IV.      1 John 3:18

V.        1 John 4:7-8

VI.      Matthew 5:44   Cf Luke 6:27

VII.    Luke 6:35

VIII.  Matthew 19:19

IX.     John 13:34   Cf John 15:12

X.       Colossians 3:14