Rules for Life From Jesus' Sermon on the Mount

Here are some of the rules for life that Jesus invited his listeners, in his Sermon on the Mount, to put into practice. My (Tom's) invitation to you this past Sunday was to pick one or, if you’re feeling ambitious, two, to try out for one week. Be intentional with the practice, trying to do it as much as possible, and see what happens. What do you learn about yourself? About human nature? About the priorities and heart of Jesus? What would it mean for you to keep the principle going beyond your week’s trial period? 

1. Love your enemies

2. Do good to those who hate you

3. Bless those who curse you

4. Pray for those who mistreat you.

5. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other. 

6. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt.

7. Give to everyone who asks you

8. If anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.

9. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

10. Do not judge

11. Do not condemn

12. Forgive

13. Give

14. First take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove

the speck from your friend’s eye

15. Rejoice when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil

against you because of me

16. Let your light shine before others

17. Be reconciled with your brother or sister

18. Settle matters quickly with your adversary

19. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away

20. Do not swear an oath at all

21. Do not turn away the one who wants to borrow from you

22. Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others, to be seen by

them

23. Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, but store up for yourselves

treasures in heaven

24. Do not worry about your life, but seek first his kingdom and his

righteousness

25. Ask, seek, and knock

26. Watch out for false prophets