Read

Exodus 20:2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.”

Think

Freedom is one of those words everyone loves but few people really define.

Ask around and you’ll get different versions: Freedom means doing what you want. Saying what you want. Being who you want. No rules. No limits. Just wide-open space and no one to tell you otherwise.

But if we’re honest, that kind of freedom has a funny way of circling back to bondage. We chase freedom in money—and get trapped by debt. We chase freedom in relationships—and get tangled in regret. We chase freedom in self-expression—and wind up unsure of who we are. Somewhere along the way, “freedom” became exhausting.

Which makes God’s words in Exodus 20:2 even more surprising. Before God gives the First Commandment—before he says anything about rules, laws, or obedience—he makes a declaration: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.” He reminds Israel: “You were rescued. You’re already free.”

Let that sink in.

The Ten Commandments weren’t given to get people out of slavery. They were given to people already set free. In other words, the law doesn’t begin with demands—it begins with deliverance. God isn’t barking orders from a distance. He’s speaking as a Father who just carried his kids out of chaos. He’s not shouting over a fence. He’s walking with them on the road to freedom.

This changes how we see the First Commandment. It’s not God saying, “You better not have any other gods or else.” It’s more like him saying, “Why would you run back to the chains I just broke?”

Imagine someone released from prison, but still sleeping on a concrete floor every night—out of habit. Or someone pulled from a burning house who keeps reaching for the doorknob again. That’s what it’s like when we say we trust God but still cling to idols.

And here’s the wild part: sometimes, bondage feels… comfortable. Not good. Not life-giving. But familiar. The Israelites had been slaves for generations. Even after their dramatic rescue, they kept looking back. At least in Egypt, they knew what to expect. At least in Egypt, there was food. At least in Egypt, someone else was in control.

So when God gave them the First Commandment, he was cutting through that fog. “I brought you out. Don’t let anything or anyone take you back.”

This is where allegiance comes in.

Freedom isn’t doing whatever you want. Freedom is living in alignment with what you were made for. Think of a train. True freedom for a train isn’t jumping the tracks. That’s a wreck. True freedom is found in running full speed on the tracks it was built for.

Same with you.

You weren’t made to serve money. You weren’t built to be ruled by addiction. You weren’t designed to carry the weight of your own worth. You were created for one allegiance—God. And only when you align your life under his authority do you start to experience true, soul-deep freedom.

But that word—allegiance—can be uncomfortable.

We resist the idea of someone else calling the shots. We’ve been trained to believe that the more control we have, the freer we are. But if control really worked, we’d all be overflowing with peace by now.

Instead, we’re tired. Anxious. Burned out from holding it all together.

What if the answer isn’t more control but better surrender? What if freedom isn’t found in independence—but in allegiance to a good and faithful King?

God isn’t trying to steal your freedom. He’s the one who gave it to you. But freedom without allegiance will always lead you right back to a new kind of slavery. You’ll find another god to serve. One that’s more demanding. Less forgiving. And far less powerful.

The First Commandment is a call to remember that freedom and allegiance aren’t enemies. They’re partners. Freedom isn’t the absence of authority—it’s the presence of the right authority.

And this is where things get deeply personal.

If you’re feeling stuck today, if your soul feels dry or restless or weighed down, it’s worth asking: “Have I been living like I’m still in Egypt? Have I trusted Jesus for salvation but refused to let him lead my everyday life? Have I called him ‘Lord’ but tried to maintain veto power?”

God didn’t rescue Israel so they could wander around doing their own thing. He rescued them so they could flourish under his care. He gave them commands not to control them—but to teach them how to stay free.

He wants the same for you.

And yes—it will mean saying no to other gods. Yes—it will mean surrender. But it’s a surrender that leads to rest, not pressure. To peace, not striving. To purpose, not chaos. He’s not just the God who brought you out. He’s the God who walks with you in.

Apply

If God has already freed you, are you still living like a captive? Today, ask yourself: “Where am I resisting allegiance to God in the name of ‘freedom’?” Is it in your finances? Your relationships? Your schedule? Your thought life? Don’t just examine the externals. Ask God to reveal where you’re still reaching for old chains. Then take a deep breath and surrender that area back to him. Let go of the illusion of control. Real freedom begins there.

Pray

God, thank you for bringing me out of the places I used to be stuck in. I know I’ve looked back at times. I’ve chosen comfort over obedience and control over trust. Forgive me. Teach me that real freedom isn’t found in doing life my way—but in walking with you. I want to live like someone who’s already been rescued. I give you my allegiance again. In Jesus’ name. Amen.