The 1st commandment is the most important of the 10. It shows us:

THE CAPACITY TO WORSHIP
Man is created with the desire, the instinct, and the drive for worship. Either you worship the true God, or you worship false gods — but we all have a god.

THE COMPETITION IN WORSHIP
There were many gods during Moses’ time, and there are still many gods today. From traditional religions to modern-day functional gods of possessions, prosperity, pleasure, praise, or people, our hearts are tempted by many false gods.

THE CALL FOR WORSHIP
God calls us to worship Him alone — not that He is first, but that He is the only one. This is because all other gods are no gods; they cannot respond. But the God of the Bible alone is our Creator, Sustainer, Judge, and Saviour. Our hearts are made for God. Only the God of the Bible can satisfy our hearts. Knowing Him enables us to live in righteousness and fulfill all the commandments by His power.

So, how can we fulfill the 1st commandment? Only when God circumcises our hearts and gives us new hearts to love Him (Deu. 30:6–8). He sent His Son, who lived a perfect life (worshipping God alone even in the midst of great temptations), to die for us and save us from our sins. So humble yourself and look to Jesus to be saved.

For all believers, let us destroy the idols in our hearts one by one. Let us fight for faith and loyalty to Him (through the Word, prayer, and community), and may we love and serve God — and God alone.