Commandments of Jesus
“Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you …”
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Chapter 8: Do Not Worry or Fear
Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life.
—Matthew 6:25
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What sits at the bottom of the ocean and twitches? Answer: a nervous wreck. Let me affirm what we already know about the subject of worry and fear. Worry and fear are much the same thing. Worry exists because we fear. We worry about the storm because we are afraid of the damage it might do. We worry about our next meal because we fear we will starve to death. Fear is generated by our worries, and worries are an expression of our fears. They both create high anxiety.
Consider this about worry and faith. We know worry can indicate a lack of faith. So we scold our mates who keep worrying about something we have neglected to do. We tell them Christians aren’t supposed to worry. But their worry is not because they lack faith in God, but faith in us! When Jesus tells us not to worry, He is not telling us to be unconcerned about the trash that has not been taken out or the unjustifiable charge card debt or that we are going to be late for our appointment. We are not honoring our Lord when we use the subject of faith to get someone off our backs regarding our irresponsibility. It does not honor Jesus when we use His words “do not worry” as an excuse to be lazy, unconcerned about others, make unwise decisions, underestimate the seriousness of life, or wander aimlessly.
Paul commands us to “be anxious for nothing” (Philippians 4:6). How do we reconcile his words with the scriptural command to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12)? Or how do we understand these verses in light of Proverbs 1:7 that declares, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge”? How do we justify these Bible verses with the command of Jesus, “Do not worry”? The context in which the counsel or command is given is always the key to good interpretation.
Jesus gave us a command concerning anxiety, worry, or fear! The context of His command is always regarding those things for which we can choose faith instead.
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About the Book
Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He gave His last instructions, telling us to “go make disciples” and “teach them to observe all things I have commanded you.”
But what are the commands of Jesus?
Norman H. Drummond, who has served in a variety of Christian ministries over more than forty-five years, tackles that important question. As you read, learn how to:
• identify the commands of Jesus found in the four gospels;
• recognize the difference between which of Jesuses words are commands and which are important, precious, amazing, and awesome, but not commandments;
• “make disciples” by clearly teaching new believers “all things I have commanded you.”
The commandments of Jesus were not handed to us as a concise list like the one Moses received on Mount Sinai. However, His commandments are recorded for us in scripture, and He expects us to obey them.
Studying these commandments reveal a major difference between the commandments given to Moses and those given by Jesus. They are as different as “Thou shalt not ...” and “If you love me ...” and they are eternal truth.
About the Author
Norman is minister of pastoral care at Calvary Baptist Church in Columbus, Georgia. He is a graduate of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He has served in a variety of ministries in more than forty-five years of full-time Christian service, including five years in youth ministry, eleven years as pastor, thirteen years active duty as navy chaplain, a short fifteen-month chaplaincy with a rescue mission, nine years as associate pastor of a large church with multi-ministries, and six years as chaplain of an assisted living community.
He dabbled in writing for most of his life, but only became serious about writing in 2003. After posting a weekly blog on the subject of humility, he self-published True Humility with WestBow Press in 2012, available only as an ebook on Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, and others. His current blog at www.normandrummond.com is a weekly post focused on Philippians 4:8.
His sweet wife, Connie, has been by his side for forty-five years. She is a registered nurse. She and Norman retired in May 2020. Their beautiful and amazing daughter is mother of their six grandchildren, a graduate of Georgia State University, and a pastor’s wife in Woodstock, Georgia. Their brave and handsome son, Daniel, living in Costa Rica, is a graduate of University of Georgia and an IT specialist and mobile applications director at Southern Regional Extension, Forestry.