Eternal Principles

What Jesus taught that doesn't expire when the culture shifts - love God, love people, forgive, seek the kingdom first.

Key Concept

• I split them into one-claim notes so I can link and drill them like the rest of the garden.
• The ground is Free Grace: eternal life is God's gift by faith in Christ, not works.
• These principles aren't the price of heaven.
• They're how I try to live once I've already received it.
• Each spine note opens key_concept with Jesus' words on that principle (NASB 1995) - then JoRap commentary and cross-links.
• Start at Free Grace if the order matters. Then wander by section below.
• Gospel spine notes carry six review cards each - drill at /notes/review/.
• Filter by Eternal Principles, Faith, Commandments, Ethics, Prayer, Priorities, Discipleship, or Jesus Rhythms to match each section.
• What Jesus taught that doesn't expire when the culture shifts - love God, love people, forgive, seek the kingdom first.

Level 1 - Recognize

Eternal Principles is the garden hub that splits Jesus' teachings into one-claim notes you can link and drill like the rest of the stack.

Level 2 - Explain

Scripture becomes index cards on a ring - one claim per note with verse anchor separate from commentary, linkable like any other atom.

Level 3 - Use

Open one spine note, read the verse block, then follow wikilinks to the principle you need today - order matters less once Free Grace is ground.

Level 4 - Connect

The ground is Free Grace - these principles are how I try to live once I have already received eternal life, not the price of heaven.

Level 5 - Create

Build a drillable library by splitting Jesus' teachings into one-claim spine notes, review cards, and links others can follow by need.

Note Relationships

Jesus' rhythms

Biography lane - what the Gospels show He did day to day. Hub: Jesus' Rhythms. Teaching lane stays in the sections below.

Theological basis

• Grace - God loved the world and sent His Son so whoever believes has eternal life, not condemnation (John 3:16-18); gift I never earned

  “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.John 3:16-18 NASB1995

• Mercy - blessed are the merciful in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:7); God made us alive when we were dead in sins (Ephesians 2:1-5)

  “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.Matthew 5:7 NASB1995

  And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),Ephesians 2:1-5 NASB1995

• Free Grace - hears My word and believes has eternal life, passes from death to life (John 5:24-29); principles follow, they don't pay the fare

  “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. Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.John 5:24-29 NASB1995

• Justification - tax collector went home justified, not the boasting Pharisee (Luke 18:9-14); finished before the walk catches up

  And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: 'God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!' I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”Luke 18:9-14 NASB1995

• Sanctification - Father, sanctify them in the truth; Jesus prays before the cross (John 17:17-19); grateful growth after the verdict

  Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.John 17:17-19 NASB1995

• Present a Living Sacrifice - deny yourself, take up your cross, lose life to save it (Matthew 16:24-26); offer your body as worship that's alive (Romans 12:1)

  Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?Matthew 16:24-26 NASB1995

  Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.Romans 12:1 NASB1995

• Renewed Mind - continue in My word and know the truth (John 8:31-32); be transformed by renewing your mind (Romans 12:1-2)

  So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”John 8:31-32 NASB1995

  Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.Romans 12:1-2 NASB1995

• Don't Copy the Pattern - chosen out of the world, not of the world (John 15:19); refuse culture's default script (Romans 12:2)

  If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.John 15:19 NASB1995

  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.Romans 12:2 NASB1995

• Discern His Will Daily - teaching at the Feast, willing to do His will knows the doctrine (John 7:16-18); test and approve what God wants (Romans 12:2)

  So Jesus answered them and said, “My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.John 7:16-18 NASB1995

  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.Romans 12:2 NASB1995

• Christlikeness - fully trained disciple will be like the Teacher (Luke 6:39-40); the aim sanctification moves toward

  And He also spoke a parable to them: “A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit? A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.Luke 6:39-40 NASB1995

• Faith and Works - wise man hears Jesus' words and builds on the rock (Matthew 7:24-27); faith alone saves, works answer the gift after

  “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell-and great was its fall.”Matthew 7:24-27 NASB1995

• Repent and Believe - after John was arrested, Jesus proclaimed the kingdom at hand (Mark 1:14-15); turn and trust, don't wait until you're “ready”

  Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”Mark 1:14-15 NASB1995

• Childlike Faith - let the children come, receive the kingdom like a child (Mark 10:13-16); stop negotiating merit before you enter

  And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.Mark 10:13-16 NASB1995

• Abide in Me - vine and branches: apart from Me you can do nothing (John 15:1-11); fruit from staying connected, not self-generated effort alone

  “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.John 15:1-11 NASB1995

Salvation and reward

• Judgment Seat - deny self, take up cross, then Son of Man repays each at the resurrection (Matthew 16:24-27); rewards repaid, not re-deciding eternal life

  Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds.Matthew 16:24-27 NASB1995

• Loss of Reward - talents parable: unfaithful servant faces loss (Matthew 25:14-30); burned work, still saved (1 Corinthians 3:12-15) - not hell for a believer

  “For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. “Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, 'Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' “Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, 'Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' “And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.' “But his master answered and said to him, 'You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.' “For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.Matthew 25:14-30 NASB1995

  Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.1 Corinthians 3:12-15 NASB1995

• Standing vs Fellowship - My sheep hear My voice; I give eternal life, none snatch from My hand (John 10:27-30); standing settled at faith, fellowship restored by confession

  My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one.”John 10:27-30 NASB1995

• Assurance - bread of life: whoever comes to Me I will never cast out (John 6:35-40); rest on Christ's promise, not this week's report card

  Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”John 6:35-40 NASB1995

• Grateful Obedience - if you love Me, keep My commandments; Father sends the Spirit (John 14:15-17); obey because grace already saved, not to buy the ticket

  “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.John 14:15-17 NASB1995

• Faithful Steward - talents parable: well done, good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:14-30); faithfulness with what God entrusted

  “For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. “Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, 'Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' “Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, 'Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' “And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.' “But his master answered and said to him, 'You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.' “For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.Matthew 25:14-30 NASB1995

• Success is Stewardship - talents parable: well done, good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:14-30); borrowed accountability, not permanent ownership

  “For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. “Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, 'Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' “Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, 'Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' “And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.' “But his master answered and said to him, 'You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.' “For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.Matthew 25:14-30 NASB1995

The two great commandments

• Love God - lawyer's test: love the Lord your God with all heart, soul, mind, strength (Matthew 22:37-40); whole-person devotion

  And He said to him, “ 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”Matthew 22:37-40 NASB1995

• Love Your Neighbor - second command like the first; Good Samaritan shows who counts as neighbor (Matthew 22:39; Luke 10:25-37); hangs on the first, not a separate ladder

  The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'Matthew 22:39 NASB1995

  And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind;and your neighbor as yourself.” And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.” But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.' Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers' hands?” And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.”Luke 10:25-37 NASB1995

How to treat others

• The Golden Rule - whatever you want others to do, do the same - sums Law and Prophets (Matthew 7:12); active care, not just avoiding harm

  “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.Matthew 7:12 NASB1995

• Love Your Enemies - Sermon antithesis: love enemies, bless cursers, pray for persecutors (Matthew 5:43-48); love beyond your own tribe

  “You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.Matthew 5:43-48 NASB1995

• Forgiveness - Lord's Prayer section: if you forgive others, your Father forgives you (Matthew 6:14-15); release the debt under grace

  For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.Matthew 6:14-15 NASB1995

• Reconciliation Before Worship - anger equals murder; leave your gift, first be reconciled (Matthew 5:21-24); settle before the altar

  “You have heard that the ancients were told, 'You shall not commit murder' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.Matthew 5:21-24 NASB1995

• Peacemakers - blessed are the peacemakers in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:9); those who actively pursue peace inherit blessing

  “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.Matthew 5:9 NASB1995

• Turn the Other Cheek - eye for eye antithesis: turn the other cheek, go the second mile (Matthew 5:38-42); refuse retaliation, stop investing anger

  “You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.Matthew 5:38-42 NASB1995

• Let Your Yes Be Yes - oaths antithesis: let your yes be yes, no oath-padding (Matthew 5:33-37); plain speech, one claim

  “Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, 'You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord.' But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your statement be, 'Yes, yes' or 'No, no'; anything beyond these is of evil.Matthew 5:33-37 NASB1995

• Judge Not - do not judge; remove the log from your eye first (Matthew 7:1-5); no hypocritical condemnation

  “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.Matthew 7:1-5 NASB1995

• By Their Fruits - wolves in sheep's clothing known by their fruits (Matthew 7:15-20); discern teachers by outcome, not hype

  “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits.Matthew 7:15-20 NASB1995

• Heart Righteousness - anger and lust antitheses: heart murder and heart adultery (Matthew 5:21-30); inner motive counts, not only outward acts

  “You have heard that the ancients were told, 'You shall not commit murder' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent. “You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery'; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.Matthew 5:21-30 NASB1995

• Words That Build Up - only speech that builds up and gives grace to hearers (Ephesians 4:29); grace to hearers, not debris

  Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.Ephesians 4:29 NASB1995

Heart and priorities

Hub: Prayer Jesus Taught - maps Jesus' prayer teaching across the Gospels (Lord's Prayer, secret devotion, persistence, asking in His name).

• Ask Seek Knock - ask, seek, knock; Father gives good gifts like earthly fathers do (Matthew 7:7-11); keep asking on rhythm

  “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!Matthew 7:7-11 NASB1995

• Secret Devotion - when you give or pray, not like the hypocrites who perform for crowds (Matthew 6:1-18); prayer and giving without performing for an audience

  “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. “Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.'] For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. “Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.Matthew 6:1-18 NASB1995

• Seek the Kingdom First - do not worry about life; seek first His kingdom and righteousness (Matthew 6:25-34); God's reign gets first place in the week

  “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.Matthew 6:25-34 NASB1995

• God Centered Design - you are the light of the world; let your light shine before men (Matthew 5:14-16); build life and work for God's glory first

  “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.Matthew 5:14-16 NASB1995

• Don't Worry - birds and lilies: do not worry about your life or tomorrow (Matthew 6:25-34); one Master, not many anxieties fighting for attention

  “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.Matthew 6:25-34 NASB1995

• Treasure in Heaven - do not store treasure on earth; store treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21); not what rusts or rots on earth

  “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.Matthew 6:19-21 NASB1995

• Eternal Rewards - do not practice righteousness before men to be seen; Father who sees in secret rewards (Matthew 6:1-4); Father repays faithful obedience after salvation

  “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.Matthew 6:1-4 NASB1995

• The Beatitudes - Sermon opening: blessed are the poor in spirit through those persecuted for righteousness (Matthew 5:3-12); kingdom character in nine blessings

  “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.Matthew 5:3-12 NASB1995

• Trust God for Today - Lord's Prayer: give us this day our daily bread (Matthew 6:11); Father holds tomorrow

  Give us this day our daily bread.Matthew 6:11 NASB1995

• Come to Me Weary - after cities rejected Him: come to Me all who are weary; My yoke is easy (Matthew 11:28-30); rest and a fitting yoke

  “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”Matthew 11:28-30 NASB1995

• Guard Your Heart - watch over your heart with all diligence; life flows from it (Proverbs 4:23); filter intake before worship and anger downstream

  Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.Proverbs 4:23 NASB1995

Character and witness

• Fruits of the Spirit - walk by the Spirit: love through self-control (Galatians 5:22-23); cluster hub when I Walk by the Spirit

  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.Galatians 5:22-23 NASB1995

• Discipleship - deny yourself, take up your cross daily, lose life to save it (Luke 9:23-24); following Jesus after faith - not salvation's price tag

  And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.Luke 9:23-24 NASB1995

• Discipleship vs Leadership - greatest shall be your servant; Son of Man came to serve and give His life (Matthew 20:26-28); follow Christ upward, own direction outward

  It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”Matthew 20:26-28 NASB1995

• Humility and Service - James and John wanted thrones; Son of Man came to serve and give His life as ransom (Mark 10:42-45); wash feet, don't grasp status

  Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”Mark 10:42-45 NASB1995

• Let Your Light Shine - light of the world: let your light shine before men (Matthew 5:14-16); visible good works glorify God, not you

  “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.Matthew 5:14-16 NASB1995

• Take Up Your Cross - deny yourself daily, take up cross, follow behind (Luke 9:23-24); not a one-time hero sprint

  And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.Luke 9:23-24 NASB1995

• The Wise Builder - hears Jesus' words and builds house on rock; sand collapses in storm (Matthew 7:24-27); sand collapses when the storm hits

  “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell-and great was its fall.”Matthew 7:24-27 NASB1995

• The Narrow Way - enter through narrow gate; broad way leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14); costly discipleship, not the broad path

  “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.Matthew 7:13-14 NASB1995

• Walk by the Spirit - walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the flesh's desires (Galatians 5:16); daily Spirit dependence over willpower sprints

  But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.Galatians 5:16 NASB1995

• 21 Laws of Leadership in the Bible - twenty-one faith laws, three scriptural examples each; hub for influence, service, and succession; horizontal frame in Leadership
• Count the Cost - who builds a tower without sitting down and counting the cost first (Luke 14:28-30); honest estimate before the public yes

  For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.'Luke 14:28-30 NASB1995

Church and world

• Many Parts One Body - as the body is one with many members, so we are one body in Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12); many gifts, no solo-body fantasy

  For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.1 Corinthians 12:12 NASB1995

• Bear Each Other's Burdens - bear one another's burdens and fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2); hands on the load, not sidewalk commentary

  Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.Galatians 6:2 NASB1995

• Iron Sharpens Iron - iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another (Proverbs 27:17); growth through honest friction with friends who love you

  Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.Proverbs 27:17 NASB1995

• Confess to One Another - confess sins to one another and pray for each other (James 5:16); spoken failure finds prayer

  Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.James 5:16 NASB1995

• Christianity and Politics - Pharisees' trap with the coin: render to Caesar and to God (Matthew 22:15-22); dual allegiance without idolatry

  Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said. And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any. Tell us then, what do You think? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax.” And they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar's.” Then He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's.” And hearing this, they were amazed, and leaving Him, they went away.Matthew 22:15-22 NASB1995

• Render Unto Caesar - whose image on the coin? Render to Caesar what is Caesar's, to God what is God's (Matthew 22:15-22); civic duty vs ultimate allegiance clarified

  Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said. And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any. Tell us then, what do You think? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax.” And they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar's.” Then He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's.” And hearing this, they were amazed, and leaving Him, they went away.Matthew 22:15-22 NASB1995

• Great Commission - risen Jesus with all authority: make disciples of all nations, teach them to obey (Matthew 28:19-20); truth shared, not hoarded in the garden

  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”Matthew 28:19-20 NASB1995

At work

Corporate-friendly versions of the same ethics - plain language for meetings and Slack. Hub: Workplace Principles.

Cross-links (PKM)

Same ideas show up in my PKM notes. I wired the pairs below so the faith cluster and the productivity cluster talk to each other: