In Exodus Chapter 20 Verse 3, we find what is often referred to in the Bible as the “First Commandment.” This commandment forms the basis of all other teachings in the Bible and addresses the most important relationship a human being can have: the relationship with his Creator. The commandment says: “You shall have no other Gods before me.”
The meaning of this commandment is that we must love God more than anything else in our lives. It’s easy to see why this is important. If we don’t put our relationship with God before other things, then other things will take priority. These can be material possessions, worldly pleasures, or even people themselves. But when we make idols out of them, they become more important than God, which is against His will for us.
God wants us to put Him first because He loves us so much and wants us to have a good relationship with all of us. When we place God in our hearts, we receive many blessings such as peace, joy, contentment, and guidance. We also learn to live a rich life because following Christ gives us purpose and direction. It also leads to spiritual growth by helping us develop virtues such as love, humility, forgiveness, patience, kindness, honesty and self-control.
But there is still an obstacle between us and our ability to fully fulfill the first commandment. A common challenge is the influence of the society around us. Our culture encourages individualism and leadership, encouraging us to focus on ourselves instead of God. Sometimes it seems easier to tolerate others than to obey God’s commandments; However, doing so can cause us to become discouraged and dissatisfied inside. Another problem is that attention is diverted from technology, work, entertainment and social media. These distractions often distract us from our commitment to God and leave little time for prayer and worship.
So, how can we overcome these difficulties? Here are some steps to help us follow the First Law:
1) Make it a daily habit to spend quality time with God by praying, reading scripture, going to church, singing hymns, and participating in small groups. discussion etc. Doing this keeps us spiritually connected to God and strengthens our relationship with Him.
2) Surround yourself with godly influences who share your commitment in glorifying God as you are. They provide support, encouragement, accountability, and wisdom during difficult times.
3) Consider and analyze the motivations behind decisions and actions taken to follow God’s principles and avoid distraction.
4) Learn to say “no” to things that distract you from your responsibilities to God, family, friends, society and work.
5) Practice showing gratitude, thankfulness, and generosity to God and others, knowing that all good things come from God (James 1:17).
By applying these teachings to our daily lives, we can better obey the first commandment, love God more, and receive the reward of that obedience. Finally, we praise Him and grow spiritually stronger each day. As Jesus said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33). Let’s try to obey these orders patiently!