First Commandment

How familiar are you with the 10 Commandments?  Have you really read through them, studied them, and understand what it is God is asking or telling us with these commandments?  For the next several months I would like us to take a deeper look into the 10 Commandments so we can all come away with a real understanding of each of the commandments and what they mean for us today.  We find the 10 Commandments listed in Exodus chapter 20 verses 3 – 17.

Establishing, developing and maintaining a personal relationship with the true living God is the most important commitment we can ever make. That is the focus of the first commandment; "You shall have no other gods before Me.” Exodus 20: 3

When Jesus was asked which of all the laws of Scripture is the greatest, He responded with the command emphasizing the supreme importance of our personal relationship with God: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:35-38.

The Bible is clear concerning the basis of our relationship with God: He is our Creator!  All that we are, and everything we have, ultimately comes from Him.  The only reliable assurance that our future is secure lies in our relationship with our Creator.  He created for us a wonderful planet on which to live. He provided us with everything we need for our material well-being and survival. It is His desire that we enjoy and appreciate these gifts He gave us. At the same time, He wants us to understand that we must never direct our worship toward anything or anyone that He has created or regard them as the source of our life and blessings. Only the Creator and never the creation should receive that honor.

The First Commandment warns us not to accept a religion or philosophy that teaches that our life and well-being originate with or depend on anything other than the one true God. There is no other source of life or blessings except through God. There is no other power that rules over the heavens and the earth. He alone created and sustains the universe in which we exist. This is the First Commandment's powerful message. We are to worship and serve our Creator and miracle working God who led ancient Israel out of Egyptian bondage and to credit our existence and blessings to no other source. We are to love, respect and honor Him and to have a genuine personal relationship with Him.

The relationship that God wants with us is that of children with their Father. It was for this purpose that Jesus Christ was born to be the Savior of mankind.  To become a member of the very family of God is the awesome purpose for which we were born!  What a remarkable love the living God and Creator of the universe has for us. He wants us to be a part of His family and live forever in His Kingdom. He tells us that our highest priority in this life is to “seek you first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). Our heavenly Father gave us this lifetime to establish a permanent relationship with Him so we can receive eternal life as His children. We should love, honor and respect God because He alone is the supreme authority and model in our lives. He alone is God. We should never allow anything to prevent us from serving and obeying Him.

Deuteronomy 4:19 (TNIV) - And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon, and the stars - all the heavenly array – do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshiping  things the Lord your God apportioned to all nations under heaven.

Romans 12:2 (TNIV) – Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

By Ed Olson