The First Commandment (Exodus 20:2-3) is based on the redemptive work of God:
“I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage …”. He reminds them first of all that He had redeemed them from their captivity. Then, BECAUSE He had redeemed them, they were to give Him their undivided allegiance as described in the First Commandment: “You shall have no other gods before Me.” This same commitment applies to believers under the New Covenant as well.
If you have trusted Jesus as your Savior, then you have been redeemed by Him. As a result, you are to exhibit the same single-minded commitment to God which is commanded in Exodus 20:3. Some years ago, on the “front burner” of evangelicalism was a debate as to whether Christians should adhere to and teach what was called “Lordship salvation” – that Jesus comes into one’s life not only as Savior but also as Lord. As we see from the scriptures as early as the Ten Commandments, Biblical Christianity knows no other kind of salvation. Those who are truly redeemed by God as Savior, will have a genuine commitment to Him as Lord.