Love God First

True love for God is revealed not merely through words, emotions, or religious activity, but through wholehearted devotion, faithful obedience, and a life that places Him above every competing affection. Exodus 20:1-6 establishes the foundation of covenant relationship by commanding God's people to worship Him alone, while John 14:15 reveals that genuine love for Christ is demonstrated through obedience to His commands. Together, these passages call believers to examine whether God truly occupies first place in their hearts and lives.

30-DAY STUDY: GOD'S LAW FROM GENESIS TO REVELATION

With Jennifer

6/2/20262 min read

A white heart sitting on top of a silver cloth
                                                                 
In Exodus 20:1-6 (NKJV), God begins the Ten Commandments by reminding Israel that He is the LORD who delivered them from slavery in Egypt. Before giving commands, God reveals His grace and redemption. The Hebrew word for God, אֱלֹהִים (Elohim), emphasizes His divine authority and sovereignty, while יְהוָה (YHWH) identifies Him as the covenant-keeping LORD.
The first commandment states:
"You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3 NKJV).
The Hebrew phrase לֹא־יִהְיֶה לְךָ אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים (lo-yihyeh lekha elohim acherim) literally means "there shall not be for you other gods before My face." This command reaches beyond physical idols and addresses anything that competes for God's rightful place in our hearts.
The second commandment forbids the making and worshiping of idols. The Hebrew word פֶּסֶל (pesel) means a carved image or idol. God warns that worship directed toward created things instead of the Creator corrupts our relationship with Him. He declares Himself a "jealous God" using the Hebrew word קַנָּא (qanna'), describing His righteous zeal for the exclusive devotion of His people.
God's desire for exclusive worship is not rooted in selfishness but in His holiness, love, and knowledge of what is best for His creation. He promises mercy to "thousands" who love Him and keep His commandments, demonstrating that obedience flows from a loving covenant relationship rather than mere religious duty.
This truth is echoed by Jesus in John 14:15 (NKJV):
"If you love Me, keep My commandments."
The Greek word for love is ἀγαπάω (agapaō), referring to a self-sacrificial, devoted love that seeks the good and glory of another. The word translated "keep" is τηρέω (tēreō), meaning to guard, observe, preserve, or carefully obey.
Jesus teaches that authentic love for Him is evidenced by faithful obedience. Obedience does not earn salvation; rather, it demonstrates the reality of a transformed heart. A believer who truly loves Christ desires to honor His Word, submit to His authority, and walk according to His will.
Together, Exodus 20:1-6 and John 14:15 reveal a timeless spiritual principle: God deserves first place in every area of life. The Lord who redeemed Israel from Egypt and the Savior who redeemed us through the cross calls His people to wholehearted love, exclusive worship, and joyful obedience.
                       Deep Spiritual
    Self-Examination Questions

  1. What occupies my thoughts, priorities, and affections more than God, and could these things be functioning as modern-day idols in my life?

  2. When I say that I love Christ, does my daily obedience reflect that confession, or do my actions tell a different story?
  3. Are there areas of my life where I have resisted God's authority because I value my own desires more than His commands?
  4. Do I spend more time pursuing worldly success, entertainment, possessions, or approval than seeking fellowship with God through prayer and His Word?
  5. How would my family, friends, and coworkers describe my devotion to God based on what they consistently observe in my life?
  6. Am I guarding my heart against subtle forms of idolatry such as pride, self-reliance, comfort, relationships, or material possessions?
  7. If Jesus examined every hidden motive, thought, and affection within me today, would He truly find that I love Him above all else?
           
         Key Spiritual Truth

God's first commandment is also His greatest call: to love Him above all else. The believer who treasures יְהוָה (YHWH) above every earthly pursuit and demonstrates ἀγαπάω (agapaō) love through faithful τηρέω (tēreō) obedience experiences the joy, freedom, and blessing of living with God at the center of life.