The First Commandement

In any competition, race or contest, the goal is always to win, to obtain the first prize. The first one to break through the ribbon has won and the product that is the best gets awarded the first prize. Being first in our class feels good and is a reward for all the hard work put in through the year.

We read in the Bible that God also has a first, very important law or instruction and this is known as the first commandment. Now a commandment is simply an instruction or ………..We read about this commandment in the book of Deuteronomy 6:1-5 and it is reiterated later by Jesus in the book of Mathew 22:36-39

Deuteronomy 6:1-6 NKJV

1 “Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the LORD your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess,

2 that you may fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged.

3 Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as theLORD God of your fathers has promised you—‘a land flowing with milk and honey.’

4 “ Hear, O Isreal: The Lord our God, the Lord is one,

5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

6 And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.

Matthew 22:37 NKJV

4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one![b] 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

From the above passage of scripture it is clear why God refers to it as the very, most important of all the instructions.

In our relationship with God the Father, if we focus on the gifts that we can get instead of the Giver of the gifts, our relationship is skewed. It is like a child that obeys its parents simply because he or she will get a Christmas present. That is their only motivation. It is not a love motivation but merely a reward based action.

The fear of God and the first commandment go hand in hand. What is the fear of God? Is it a fearful expectation that God will judge us? Or perhaps a heart filled with terror that God is out to get us, just waiting for us to make a mistake? Not at all!

The fear of God is a holy dread of doing wrong to displease God. In other words: it is longing to please God in all we do. I do not want to sin because I do not want to displease God my Father. I want to live a life that is well pleasing to the Lord.

The fear of God is : Reverence God as God and put Him before all else, first.

Either our whole heart is in serving God or it is not. Anything in-between equals Luke warmness.

Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Rev 3:16 NKJV

16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,[a] I will vomit you out of My mouth.

I personally detest lukewarm coffee or tea. It is vile. And a lukewarm Christian is also an abomination to God.

It is a joy to serve God. It brings fulfillment to love Him. If this is not the case in your life then examine your relationship with God , the giver of joy of love.

Our motivation should be: I will stand before Jesus one day to give an account of my life (the works I did). I want to give a good account by shaping my life, motives and everything that I am to the first commandment – loving God and putting Him before everything else.

No one takes anything out of this life except their soul and spirit. No money, no material things thus dedicating your life to God and not to things ensures you store up treasure in heaven where :

Matthew 22:36-39 (NKJV)

36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”

37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’