The Scripture tells us that we are born of the living and working Word of Christ. (For you were born again, not of a corruptible seed, but of an incorruptible seed, through the word of God: and this is the Word which was preached unto you in the gospel. 1 Peter 1:23, 25)

If the Word of Christ is planted in our hearts, and we then proceed to make the decision of submitting and obeying Him in all things, the new life begins. (…gently receive the Word planted in you, which can save your souls. James 1:21; Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my Word, and believes Him who sent me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. John 5:24) “The word that was made flesh” (John 1:14) will come to dwell and work in our hearts. (If you continue in My Word, you are indeed my disciples. John 8:31; The Word of God, which works in you who believe. 1 Thessalonians 2:13)

The Holy Spirit will use the Word of God and work together with us, which will make the new life grow and bear fruit. (The Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26)

According to the Scripture, true faith cannot come unless we hear the Word of Christ. (Faith comes by hearing; and hearing comes through the Word of Christ. Romans 10:17)

We must know and understand what exactly we are called to, and to be fully aware of doing our calculations well regarding whether we want to go this way or not. (Whoever does not renounce all that he has, cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33)

If upon hearing the Word of Christ, we won’t understand what we are called to, the evil one will come to take the Seed, and the birth can no longer occur. (When a man hears the Word of the Kingdom, and does not understand it, then comes the devil, and snatches away that which was sown in his heart. Matthew 13:19)

The Purpose of the Word

The book of the New Covenant/Testament does not have unnecessary teachings written solely for Jews, or for another period in human history. The New Covenant contains the commandments/teachings of Christ, which are strictly necessary for the formation of His image in us. (The gospel of the glory of Christ, which is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4; Keep My words in your heart, keep My teachings, and you will live! Proverbs 4:4)

Every teaching has its role, none can be set aside, all are equally important, only through them can we reach perfection. (…be therefore perfect, just as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48)

Some of the teachings are for patience, some for kindness, some for a pure heart, some for gentleness, and so on. Each contributes its part in the formation of the image of Christ in us.

The goal of the Lord’s words/teachings is to be like Him. (The goal of the commandment is love, which comes from a pure heart, from a good mind, and from a genuine faith. 1 Timothy 1:5; And love consists of living according to His commandments. 2 John 1:6; God is love. 1 John 4:16)

Here are a few of them: do not judge, do not condemn (Matthew 7:1); forgive the one who wrongs you (Matthew 18:21); do not be angry (Matthew 5:22); be gentle and humble (Matthew 11:29); be abundant in patience (Matthew 24:13); love your enemies (Matthew 5:44); do not resist the one who hurts you; if someone takes something from you by force, do not ask for it back; give to him who asks you (Matthew 5:39-42); do not separate what God has put together, do not remarry as long as your partner lives (Mark 10:11); if the eye causes you to sin, remove it (Matthew 5:29); do not store treasures on earth (Matthew 6:19); do not slander (Matthew 18:10); bless everyone (Matthew 5:44); do not use useless words (Matthew 12:36); when you hold a meal, call the poor… (Luke 14:13); “For I was hungry, and you fed me: I was sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came to see me. I was a stranger, and you received me”. (Matthew 25:35); do good to those who hate you (Matthew 5:44).

We will exemplify three teachings

Paying taxes: “Should we pay tribute to Caesar or not?” Then He said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s”. (Luke 20:22, 25) This commandment teaches us to be subject to the authorities; we should therefore not steal; it teaches us to pay our taxes when we are provided with a service, when we rent or lease an apartment, when we paint our house, for various repairs, or when we build something.

It teaches us not to partner with people who do not pay their taxes/who work illegally (When you see a thief, you unite with him… Psalm 50:18), to pay our taxes on all incomes. (Love does not rejoice over injustice, but rejoices over the truth. 1 Corinthians 13:6)

Slandering – Blessing: “Beware that you do not slander…” (Matthew 18:10); “Remind them… not to speak ill of anyone.” (Titus 3:2) Therefore, we are forbidden from speaking ill/slandering anyone, whether he a relative or stranger. We can analyze ourselves:  If we are dissatisfied with someone, and we complain about it to someone else, we are practicing ill speech. But the Lord’s teaching does not end here.

On the contrary, He commands us to bless all people, even our enemies! (But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you. Matthew 5:44) By this the Lord asks us to replace slander with blessing. Let’s check ourselves: Is blessing our way of life?

“Bless, for this is what you have been called to, to inherit a blessing”. (1 Peter 3:9) Have we responded to the Lord’s call of being among the few? (For many are called, but few are chosen. Matthew 22:14) Or are we bold and not afraid of slandering others? (These men, however, disregard the authority and mock the rulers. Archangel Michael… did not dare to utter a judgment of reproach even against the devil. Jude 1: 8-9)

This teaching has been given to us to form His character in us. If we speak ill of the brother, the neighbor, the government, the state… we will continue to have the character of the devil. We will then be among the ones who will not inherit the Kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:10) If we are subject to the Lord’s teachings, we will be blessing all people. Attention: On the day of judgment, humans will be held accountable for every careless word, that they will have ever spoken. “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned”. (Matthew 12:36-37)

Non-resistance: “If someone takes your coat by force, do not stop them from taking your shirt as well”. (Luke 6:29); “And if any man will sue you for your coat, let him also have your cloak”. (Matthew 5:40)

We can check for ourselves: If we are among those who say that this teaching (or perhaps other teachings as well) is too much, and if we believe that we can oppose those who harm us, if we believe that we can sue for properties, land, etc. then we do not yet trust in His Word, nor are we subject to the Lord. The new life has not yet begun. (What he is saying is too much: who can suffer it? From that moment, many of His disciples turned their back, and walked no more with Him. John 6:60, 66) Let us be therefore very careful, for many have failed this test.