Was Jesus conservative? A capitalist? Did he advocate for mercy or judgment or both? Was he self-seeking or more of a servant leader? Did he care about what comes out of our mouths? How would he have treated a guy who wanted to play against the Mary Magdalene Soccer Team? (Note the question. How would he have treated the guy?) What were his views on abortion? The blending of faith in himself with nation building? Racial differences? Testosterone tests? Borders? The treatment of women?

If we put our faith in him, how are we to conduct our lives?

Recently I was accused of not being a conservative Christian. I was taken aback. What’s a conservative Christian? I’m just a Christian. I try to follow the teachings of Jesus. I don’t know if that makes me liberal or conservative or what. I just know the teachings gut me, in a good way.

Here’s a sampling.   

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
Love your neighbor as yourself.
Treat others the way you want to be treated. (The Golden Rule)
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Let your light shine before others so they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven.
Turn the other cheek.
Go the extra mile.
Do not judge others, or you too will be judged.
Take the plank out of your own eye before looking at the speck in another’s.
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find.
Enter through the narrow gate, as the wide gate leads to destruction.
My kingdom is not of this world.
You must be born again to see the kingdom of God.
God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and truth.
You cannot serve both God and money.
Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or wear.
Seek first his kingdom and righteousness, and these things will be given to you.
Do not store up treasures on earth, but store them in heaven.
Forgive others so that your Heavenly Father may forgive you.
Reconcile with your brother or sister before offering a gift at the altar.
Do not seek revenge, but leave room for God’s justice.
Treat the least of these (the hungry, thirst, naked, or imprisoned) as you would treat Jesus himself.
Give, and it will be given to you–good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.
Deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Jesus.
The truth will set you free.
Build on a solid foundation.
I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me.
Whoever wants to be first must be last and servant of all.
Go and make disciples of all nations.
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me, you bear much fruit.
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
Let the one without sin cast the first stone.
The mouth speaks from what fills the heart.
Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.
Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.
Show mercy to those in need. (The Parable of the Good Samaritan)
Each person is important to God. (The Parable of the Lost Sheep)
Celebrate the repentance of those who are lost. (The Parable of the Prodigal Son)
Let the word of God take root in good soil. (The Parable of the Sower)
I lay down my life for the sheep. (The Parable of the Good Shepherd)
Faithfully use the gifts God has given you. (The Parable of the Talents)
Even small faith can grow into something large. (The Parable of the Mustard Seed)
The grace of God is equal, regardless of when you start. (The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard)
A good tree produces good fruit. (The Parable of the Good Tree and Bad Tree)
A new command I give you: love one another as I have loved you.