The life lessons and teachings that Jesus left us have been the most important things that we have as Christians for more than 2000 years. He showed us a way of life, a guide to living with love, compassion, integrity, and wisdom. His teachings transcend religious boundaries and give universal life lessons for anyone that wants to grow, to have a peaceful life, to be spiritually fulfilled.
Today we will explore 10 of the lessons that Jesus taught us that still continue to resonate with any Christian today. These teachings can inspire us to lead lives that are more meaningful, purposeful, and in peace with others.
1. Love Your Neighbour as Yourself
The most important of Jesus’ teachings is the commandment to love others like you love yourself. This is considered to be the foundation of His moral teachings.
In Matthew 22:39, He says, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” What He means is that love is not just an emotion but an action, something that we show through kindness, compassion, and understanding. Loving your neighbor means putting the needs of others alongside your own, treating them with respect, and showing empathy in times of hardship. It’s about living in harmony and goodwill in our relationships with our family, friends, and even strangers.
The more you love others unconditionally, the more you open your heart to happiness, peace, and fulfillment. True love always goes beyond ego and self-interest, guiding us to live in harmony with everyone around us.
2. Forgive and Let Go of Grudges
Jesus taught us that forgiveness is needed for healing and spiritual growth. In the Lord’s Prayer, He encourages us to pray, “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). He also forgave those who crucified Him, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
Forgiveness is about freeing ourselves from bitterness and anger. Holding onto grudges will only hurt us, while letting go will open the door to inner peace and stronger relationships. Forgiveness is not only a gift for the other person but is a gift to ourselves. It allows us to move forward, freeing our hearts from pain.
3. Live with Humility
During his lifetime, Jesus showed us a lot of humility. Even though He is the Son of God, He lived as a servant, washing his disciples’ feet and living with the poor. In Matthew 23:11, He said, “The greatest among you will be your servant.”
Humility is about knowing that we are not above the others and that we are all equal. It’s an attitude of service, humility, and gratitude. If we put the others, we honor their worth, reminding us that no matter our status or other achievements, we are all equal in God’s eyes. True greatness comes from helping others, not from seeking recognition or power. Live with humility, and you’ll find fulfillment and peace.
4. Do Not Judge Others
In Matthew 7:1, Jesus tells us not to judge because we will be judged too. He always taught his followers to resist the temptation to judge someone based on superficial qualities or actions. Instead, He encourages us to focus on self-reflection and personal growth.
Judging others is a human tendency, but He told us that judging will only bring division and hate. If we try to not judge the others, we will open ourselves to compassion, acceptance, and unconditional love.
God will help us practice empathy and understanding. We should seek to build others up rather than tear them down, and we should know that we all have struggles and imperfections.
5. Always Trust in God
Jesus always said to trust that God will always provide for our needs. In Matthew 6:25–34, He tells His disciples to not worry about material needs because God already knows what each one of them needs. He pointed to the birds of the air and the flowers of the field as examples of God’s care for people.
This teaching reminds us to forget about the anxieties about the future and trust that everything will be taken care of by God. It doesn’t mean that we should be passive and not do anything, but rather that we have confidence in God’s plans for us.
Trust in God’s timing because worrying about the future will only make you not fully living in the present moment.
6. Seek Peace and Reconciliation
Jesus always said that it is very important to seek peace and reconciliation in every aspect of life. In Matthew 5:9, He said that the peacemakers will be blessed and will be called children of God. He encouraged His followers to resolve conflicts, even if they needed to make the first steps, and seek reconciliation first.
Peace is not simply the absence of conflict but rather the effort that we put in to create harmony and goodwill. Reconciliation needs humility, forgiveness, and an open heart. It’s about creating bridges, not walls, in our relationships with others. He taught us to be the peacemakers because healing and reconciliation are very important for emotional and spiritual well-being.
7. Serve Others Selflessly
Throughout His life, Jesus dedicated His life for the others, whether by healing the sick, feeding the hungry, or washing the feet of His disciples. True dedication does not seek recognition or reward, but the desire to help others without expecting anything in return comes directly from the heart. By serving others, we show the love and compassion that He always embodied.
Seek ways to help others without expecting something in return because selfless acts of kindness will make you happy and at peace.
8. Be Patient and Persistent
Jesus always taught the importance of patience, especially when we find ourselves in bad situations. In Luke 18:1–8, He tells the parable of the persistent widow, who petitions a judge for justice. Her perseverance eventually leads the judge to grant her request.
Patience is a virtue that makes us go through life’s challenges easier, with grace and composure. On the other hand, persistence is about continuing to go forward, even when it’s really hard. In life, we will encounter different challenges, but with patience and persistence, we will overcome obstacles and we will grow stronger in our faith.
9. Be Grateful for What You Have
In many of His teachings, Jesus said that it’s important to feel gratitude, not only for the things we have but also for the blessings in our lives. One powerful lesson is found in the story of the ten lepers in Luke 17:11–19. After Jesus healed ten lepers, only one returned to thank Him. He asked where were the others.
This story teaches us that being grateful is not only a sign of appreciation but also a sign that we understand God’s generosity. When we focus on gratitude, we open our hearts to even greater blessings and peace. Be thankful for what you have.
10. Live with Purpose
Jesus lived His life with a clear sense of mission and purpose. He came to tech, heal, and ultimately sacrifice Himself for our salvation. His life should be a model for us, and we should follow Him and live our lives with purpose as well.
Living with purpose is about having a clear vision of what you want to contribute to the world and working hard for that cause. If you listen to Jesus and live a purposeful life, you will be fulfilled and have a sense of direction.
Live your life with purpose, pursue the things that matter the most to you, and make a positive impact on the world around you.
If you want to know more about Jesus’ life and lessons, you can check out: Jesus: The God Who Knows Your Name
Read also: 6 Virtues Every Christian Must Pursue
