“Follow me.” Matthew 4:19 (NIV)
Our challenge is to embrace God unconditionally. The first commandment leaves no room for an “if,” “but,” or “when,” because as soon as you say “if,” “but,” or “when,” you have put something else in the place of God and thereby broken the first commandment.
If you say “yes” to God but then add “if you give me my health” or “if you bless my family” or “if you solve this problem,” then you are putting your health, your family, or your problem in the place of God.
The first commandment is our greatest struggle because we always want to set conditions. We want to use God instead of letting Him be God. But as soon as you try to use God, you have taken Him off the throne of your life and put whatever use you have for Him there instead.
When Jesus said, “Follow me,” His disciples did not know where He would lead them, and you cannot know that either. Making Jesus the Lord of your life could get you into some tough situations.
The nine commandments that follow describe the life God is calling you to lead. Every one of them will be a struggle. But God is calling you to take a step of commitment based on trust, because you know that He is God and that He is good.
Are you ready to embrace the Lord as your God unconditionally?
