You Shall Have No Other Gods, Love the Lord Your God

The ten commandments, also known as God's laws, are found in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5.  Some say these commandments no longer apply as they are Old Testament, which contained the old Jewish law that Jesus Christ of the New Testament set us free from.  Actually, Christ's sacrifice does not cancel God's commandments.  They are NOT irrelevant because of old English text either, there are  many new translations that make them easier to understand.  God's laws are such important guidelines for man that many of our current laws are based upon the commandments.  However, Christ's sacrifice did bring you salvation from your sins.  This salvation released you from all the assorted man-created behavior-based religious regulations that promise salvation by individual acts instead of through a relationship with Jesus.

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, 

and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 

This is the first and great commandment. 

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. -

 Matthew 22:37-40 (KJV)

When Jesus was asked which of the commandments were the greatest, He did not say they did not matter.  Instead He summarized them into two key instructions.  The  first and most important is to love God, which is covered in first 4 commandments.  The second key is a natural result of the first, which is to love and respect others.  If you love and respect others, you will have no problem following the last 6 commandments regarding people and their property.

1. Thou (You) shalt (Shall/Will/Can) have no other gods before me.
2. Thou (You) shalt (Shall/Will/Can) not make unto thee any graven image (Idols)
3. Thou (You) shalt (Shall/Will/Can) not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 

Are you following the most important commandment?  Do you unknowingly have other Gods or idols in your life?  Do you spend more time watching and listening to  celebrities (athletes, entertainers, politicians) than you do communing with God?  Do you seek materials things (automobile, clothes, equipment, hobbies, jewelry, money, technology) instead of learning about Jesus by studying your Bible?  Do you spend more time on your professional growth (bonuses, career, overtime. promotions, etc.) and personal health (cosmetics, gym, diet, exercise) than you do in Church, Gods' service, and devotional time?  These things are not bad, afterall God wants to bless you.  They only become your idols if you put them before God.  Make sure God is always first in your life!

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