What does the Bible say about the hope and reality of the new earth? What are the characteristics of the new earth? Maybe we get so excited about “going to heaven” that we don’t think too much about what it will be like. Well, our Bibles tell us it will be new. We know that’s where Jesus is building us a “house”. It’s where the lamb and the lion will be friends. These things we have known from childhood.
So, what’s different? What would make me want to “stay the course”, be good so to speak? Mainly to meet Jesus face to face. To gently touch His nail-scarred hands, to thank Him for the unspeakable gift to me, to hear Him say welcome home. To know that it’s not just for a visit but for eternity. There will be no death there and God will “wipe away all tears” (Isa. 25:8).
But surely, if I want to “be good”, I have to know what is required of me. Of you. Let’s open our Bibles to Exodus 20:1-17. Now, in order to understand the commandments, we will need to pick them apart, so bear with me.
“You shall have no other gods before me.” God is God. Supreme Being. There ARE no other Gods before Him — unless we put them there. What are my Gods? Yours? ANYthing that takes away time and effort from worshiping the Creator. ANYthing that comes first before acknowledging His place in our lives — first! ANY cherished pleasure which diverts the mind from God and His place in our lives — first!
Okay, we will go ahead and name a few and you can decide to what degree they are diverting your attention from God. Keep in mind we didn’t say they were bad things, we just said they were things.
My family — spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings — remember, God first! Pets, work outside the home, work inside the home, crafts, phone,- remember, God first! Church offices, our wardrobe or lack thereof, television, music — remember, God first!
I’m sure you could add others. The point is worship and praise belong to God. — that is just a part of “no other Gods before me”.
