The First Commandment

(Exodus 20:1-3) "And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me."

Who or what is at the center of our lives? This first commandment sets the foundation for the following nine commandments. It is a command that puts life in its' proper order. It establishes God Almighty as supreme and mankind as His creation. It bring into focus the very purpose of mankind. This command is the very root from which a personal relationship with the Lord God can be experienced.

This command was given because the nature of all men is no different than the Israelites when they created a molten calf. We are as stiff-necked as God said the Israelites were. There are many so-called gods in the world competing for our attention and affection. Our Lord alone is worthy of glory, honor, and worship.

Idol worshipping is more than kneeling to an image or statue. Pride makes a god of self, covetousness makes a god of materialism, sensuality makes a god of our own lusts. Whatever we love, respect, serve, delight in or depend on more than God - that thing becomes our god.

Our Lord God created us. We are His children. We are made in His very image! God loves and protects His most precious creation, His children! We are all born selfish. An infant is self consumed and desires nothing more than to have his/her needs met. They are completely dependent. We all know what would become of an infant or small child left to themselves. All children need their loving parents (who created him/her) to guide and train them to maturity. Parents know best! Not the child! As God's creation we are completely dependent on Him. Some may not want to acknowledge this, but to deny it is like a child denying the wisdom of a parent who has fenced them in the yard to protect them from the busy street. God know that if left to ourselves our gods would lead to our own demise and self-destruction!