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The Commands of Christ: What It Really Means to Follow Jesus, by Tom Blackaby
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Jesus says in John 15:10-11, “If you keep My commands you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commands and remain in His love. I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.”
The Commands of Christ is an unpacking of that key promise, a simply powerful presentation of the loving imperatives we sometimes know more by rote than by heart: Love your enemies; Don’t store up treasures on earth; Seek first the kingdom of God; Let your light shine before men, etc.
Tom Blackaby’s focused writing serves as a plumb line of sorts, guiding us toward a vibrant commitment to the Lordship of Christ that better shapes our lives, how we worship, and how we relate to others. You will begin to know more clearly and experience more fully the freedom that comes through obedient acts of love and service to God.
- Sales Rank: #1072864 in Books
- Brand: Blackaby, Tom
- Published on: 2012-01-01
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 8.50" h x .45" w x 5.50" l, .46 pounds
- Binding: Paperback
- 176 pages
About the Author
Tom Blackaby is director of International Ministries for Blackaby Ministries International and the former senior pastor of North Sea Baptist Church in Stavanger, Norway. He co-authored The Man God Uses with his father, Henry Blackaby (Experiencing God). Tom and his wife have three children and live in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Most helpful customer reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful.
What did Jesus teach? Commandments of suggestions?
By James A. Lee
The Commands of Christ: What it Really Means to Follow Jesus, by Tom Blackaby, B & H Books , 2012, 176 pages. Interest Group: Religion/Personal Study/New Testament
The name of Tom Blackaby may not ring familiar in too many popular circles. If you knew of his father, Henry Blackaby and appreciated his work, you will appreciate Tom's also. They both establish themselves in their writing with a penchant for dedication to the instruction of God, and the fellowship that brings with it.
In his work, The Commands of Christ: What It Really Means to Follow Jesus, Blackaby sets out to establish parameters of Christian living, as spoken through the mouth of the Lord Jesus Christ. With some introduction and very little pomp, Blackaby outlines the direction of the Christian's life by establishing a system. The system in this book introduces the command, quotes the scriptures from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, and then explains them in a practical manner. After reading each command and it's explanation, Blackaby ensures the reader of a modern explanation to apply personally in our own context.
Other reviewers have commented on the simplistic nature of the outline method Blackaby utilizes. I think this apparent weakness actually serves as a strength to be replicated by other authors treating similar topics. Although it is near impossible to avoid authorial bias in any work, Blackaby serves the text well by remaining without dogmatic denominational interpretation. At the end of the day, Blackaby aims to teach his readers the importance and simplicity of adhering to the commands of the Lord. He is also careful to ensure we remember the importance and distinguishing characteristics of those who claim to follow Jesus, that "if we love him, we will keep his commandments."
I received this book from B & H Books for the purpose of review. No books were harmed in the reviewing of this book.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful.
Elemental, scripture-based; good teaching starter
By M1AoverM4
The Commands of Christ is essentially an expanded outline. The main points look at the commands of Christ on the topics of 1) Coming to God, 2) Christ as Lord, 3) Character, 4) Concerning Others, 5) Calling, and 6) Cautions. These headings receive a few pages of treatment to set the tone for the sub-headings. Under "Coming to God," the sub-headings are 1. Repent, 2. Come as Child, 3. Love God with All Your Being, 4.Receive the Holy Spirit, 5. Enter through the Narrow Door, 6. Worship in Spirit and in Truth, 7. Abide in Me, 8. Remember and Repent. Each of the sub-headings gets an average of three pages of treatment. Illustrations are rare and footnotes are absent. This is not a theological treatise. Each sub-heading looks at a group of verses on the topic, mildly elucidates, and then moves to an "Application:" as the conclusion to each sub-heading. This approach reminds me of an expanded topical reference Bible (e.g. Nave's). You might wish for a longer list of sub-topics under a heading or move proving verses, but The Commands of Christ maintains its brevity, for better or worse.
Addressing the commands given by Christ would seem to be vital in understand both who Christ is and what his relationship must be with one who follows him. But this work's strength is as a good devotional guide to the subject. It will not ask you to consider multiple views of a command, the problems that some of the more difficult commands might entail--in interpretation or action--or many other "deeper" considerations. It is a simple book sincerely listing straight-forward commands by Christ and listing passages that repeat or support the command.
I think that this book would make a significant contribution as a discipleship resource or workbook. It would also serve as the basis for a small group study if the leader/teacher added some supporting materials (commentary quotations, illustrations, and questions). I must admit that I was looking for a little more than I found here--so I've written this review to help anyone else looking at the book to better understand what it contains. Sometimes a simple book on a complex subject is the best approach (hence all the "Dummies" books, right?). This is a good book--but I think Tom Blackaby (with due respect) missed a chance to make this a great one.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful.
Review of "The Commands of Christ"
By Kentucky Tim
The summary purpose is best stated right in the Introduction: "This is not a book of rules to follow. This is a book of insights on how to show your love for Christ by intentionally modeling your life after His and following His expectations for you" (p9). Blackaby correlates Christ's expectations with His commands---specific instructions recorded in the Gospels. Christ's followers obey His instructions "in order to know Him, serve Him, worship Him, and demonstrate our love for Him" (p14).
This book is for all Christians. In fact, Blackaby makes the point that in the Great Commission (found in its fullest form in Matthew 28:18-20) Christ not only gives His followers the mission to spread the Good News, but also "to observe everything I have commanded you." While some Christians take seriously the mission to evangelize, many fail to appreciate the need to keep Christ's commands. This book provides most of Christ's commands for His followers for all time. This gives the reader a ready resource for following those commands.
Blackaby organizes Christ's commands in groups that correspond to an alliteration of "C": Coming to God, Christ as Lord, Character, Concerning Others, Calling, and Cautions. He further breaks down each grouping into specific instructions of Christ, with explanations and life application for each instruction. Blackaby includes even the most basic commands, in case the reader isn't already familiar with those fundamental instructions (e.g., repentance).
The first commands of Christ are those that call us to Him. These commands must be obeyed before moving on to other commands. These initial commands include: repent (Matt 4:17), approach Christ as a child (Matt 18:3), love God completely (Matt 22:37-40), receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5), choose the righteous path (Luke 13:24), worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24), remain in Christ (John 15:9), and remember and turn to God (Rev 2:5). This set of commands moves the unbeliever from a life apart from Christ to becoming a follower of Christ.
The next group of commands helps the Christian follow the life that Christ modeled. The first three instructions within this group are clearly linked: deny yourself (Matt 16:24), take up your yoke (Matt 11:29), and follow me (Matt 4:19). These involve following Christ (instead of our own earthly desires) and submitting to Him. The remainder of the instructions in this chapter point to Christ's new ways of implementing older commands, and are signified by His own words: You have heard it said... but I say to you (Matt 5:38-39); pray this way (Matt 6:9-10); do this in remembrance of me (Luke 22:19); and remember what I said (John 15:20). All of these teachings point the disciple to a transformed way of thinking about life and following God's decrees.
Blackaby's chapter on character points out how important it is to not only "do" but to "be." This includes traits such as humility (Mark 10:42-45), mercy (Luke 6:36), and integrity (Matt 5:33-37). Christians should also walk in the light (John 12:35-36) and shine the light (Matt 5:16) of Jesus. We are to avoid a judgmental attitude (Luke 6:37), give freely to others (Matt 5:42), strive for perfection (Matt 5:48), and avoid hypocrisy (Matt 6:5). All of these not only help the Christian, but also demonstrate Christ to others.
In fact, treatment of others is the focus of the following chapter. These are some of the more famous of Jesus' commandments. They include love one another (John 15:17), love your enemies (Luke 6:27-28), turn the other cheek (Luke 6:29-30), forgive others (Luke 17:3-4), be reconciled (Matt 5:23-24), and treat others as you wish to be treated (Luke 6:31). These commands point to building proper relationships with others.
Blackaby entitles the next chapter "Calling," but it just as easily could be titled "Commissioning." The focus is on Christ's Great Commission to go and make disciples. The commands are directly in line with such a focus: seek first God's kingdom (Matt 6:33); go, baptize, and teach (Matt 28:28-20); go into the world (Mark 16:15); feed His lambs (John 21:15); demonstrate God's power (Matt 10:7-8); pray for workers (Matt 9:37-38); watch and pray (Mark 14:38); be ready for His return (Matt 22:42-44); and, don't worry about how to witness (Matt 10:19-20).
The final chapter contains warnings and encouragements. These admonishments range from avoidance of fear in general (John 14:1) to specific fears of persecution (Matt 10:38) and suffering (Rev 2:10). Christians are cautioned to avoid being anxious (Matt 6:25), to handle holy things carefully (Matt 7:6), to beware false prophets (Matt 16:6), and to not worry about their lives (Matt 6:25). They are also encouraged to give God what belongs to Him (Matt 22:21), to heed God's righteousness privately (Matt 6:1), and to hold onto and strengthen what God has given them (Rev 3:2-3, 11). All of these cautions and encouragements are intended to help the Christian enjoy a fruitful and abundant life.
I have to admit: when I first began reading this book, I did not see how this could benefit someone's spiritual development. Yes, obeying Christ in all His ways would undoubtedly help a Christian in their walk with the Lord. However, I have typically considered spiritual development to include specific activities that a devout Christian engages in to mature their relationship with God. This maturing relationship with God would, in turn, better their relationships with others, too.
As I read through this book, I realized that Christ's commands are in themselves steps to spiritual growth. By following Christ's commands, the follower will experience an improved relationship with God and with others. Undergirding all of the commands is God's love. Blackaby makes it is easy to see God's love coming through each command. This love compels the follower to desire to more fully follow Christ's commands. As Blackaby says, "We do not obey from loyalty or duty, guilt or selfish ambition. We obey because we know deep down inside that Christ loves us and that He has our best interests in mind at all times" (p7).
It is helpful that Blackaby includes an "Application" section in each of his chapters. These applications help the reader understand how to put the relevant command into practice. Taken as a whole, it would be quite a challenge to put into practice all of Blackaby's applications. This might seem strange from a book that is not very long or very detailed (only 163 pages in paperback). Yet 50 commands are covered, and some commands have multiple applications. That makes for quite a number of applications of Christ's commands!
Even though Blackaby provides these applications, he doesn't give detailed instructions on how to carry them out. For instance, in the chapter regarding Christ's command to "Take up my yoke," the application points to humbling ourselves before Christ and submitting to His will. However, Blackaby provides no particular activities for the reader to put in place in order to submit to God's will. In other words, Blackaby leaves it up to the reader to determine exactly how to put the command (and its application) into practice. This does away with rote spiritual disciplines, which some readers may be looking for in an attempt to have a cut-and-dry way of growing spiritually. On the other hand, lack of specifics frees the reader to determine how to apply it to their particular circumstances. This also leaves the door open to change the spiritual practice(s) over time.
Another of this book's benefits is that it is completely biblical. Every command (and associated application) is tied to one or more quotes from Scripture. Blackaby even quotes the verses rather than simply reference them. The reader is thus assured that there are biblical underpinnings to all the commands. This differs from many other spiritual disciplines I have read, which have---at best---secondary ties to Scripture. For instance, the Jesus Prayer ("Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner") is a meditative prayer used as part of some spiritual development methods. However, the actual prayer is not recorded in Scripture (although it is derived from various biblical verses). This contrasts with Blackaby's list of commands, all of which are directly Scriptural.
In the end, I would recommend Blackaby's book as a starting point for spiritual development. Its simplicity and direct ties to the biblical commands of Jesus makes it an essential yet straightforward foundation. After fully understanding and embracing these commands of Christ, I would then recommend other writings to build on this foundation (one of my favorites is Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Haley Barton). Further study of various Christian spiritual practices could help the reader tie specific disciplines to the commands and applications listed in Blackaby's book.
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