Ep.1444: Do the Ten Commandments Apply to Christians Today?
Unfolding the meaning of having no other Gods for Christians (Ten Commandments Series)
CHAPTERS
Theme Scripture: Exodus 20:1-3
The giving of the Ten Commandments to the people of Israel after their miraculous deliverance from slavery in Egypt was part of one of the most memorable series of events in the entire Old Testament. Here were these millions of people who were now free from bondage but as yet with no home, and no way to take care of themselves other than trusting in Moses who was following God’s instructions. The giving of these ten foundational laws would set them up to understand who God was and what He would expect from them regarding their honoring Him and their respecting one another. These Ten Commandments were God’s directive to His people after He delivered them. They would stand the test of time. So, what do they mean to us as Christians? Are we bound by these Laws in our deliverance from sin and death?
First Commandment
In this episode, we take a deep look at the First Commandment, “You shall have no other gods before Me,” and discover why this ancient instruction remains foundational for every Christian today. We walk through the dramatic setting of Exodus 19 and 20, where God prepared Israel to receive His Law by reminding them of His deliverance, His protection and His covenant love. Before giving a single command, God established relationship: “I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt.” That same pattern carries into Christianity, where we are called out of darkness into God’s marvelous light through Christ.
Our conversation highlights how the Ten Commandments were not merely rules for Israel, but timeless principles that reveal God’s character. Jesus and the apostles built their teachings on these same moral foundations, showing that while Christians are not under the Law of Moses, we are absolutely called to live out the righteousness those commandments point to. The First Commandment in particular is an “internal instruction”—a matter of the heart that shapes every outward action. It calls us to give God our instinctive loyalty, our first trust and our deepest devotion.
Other gods
Further, we explore what “other gods” look like today. They may not be carved idols, but they show up in subtle forms like fear, control, comfort, self-reliance, approval or anything that quietly becomes our first "go to" instead of God.
Ultimately, the First Commandment invites us to know who God is, absorb what He does and live in a way that reflects His sovereignty. When God truly comes first, everything else in life finds its rightful place.
Key Takeaways
• The First Commandment is an internal instruction that begins in the heart.
• God established relationship before giving the Law—He first delivered Israel.
• Christians are called out of darkness just as Israel was called out of Egypt.
• “Other gods” today often appear as subtle loyalties like fear, control, comfort or self-image.
• Jesus and the apostles built their teachings on the same principles found in the Ten Commandments.
• True worship means giving God our instinctive trust, loyalty and direction.
• Knowing who God is must lead to living according to His sovereignty.
• Violating the First Commandment is always the beginning of spiritual downfall.
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