THE psalmist prayed, "Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law." Ps. 119:18. Again he said, "I have seen an end of all perfection; but Thy commandment is exceeding broad." Ps. 119:96.
The law is exceeding broad. Wondrous things it contains, but the eyes must be opened, anointed with eye-salve, for these things to be seen. The law is spiritual, and spiritual things are spiritually discerned.
The first commandment, "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me," calls for Gospel consecration. It calls for that suggested in Christ's words, "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he can not be My disciple." Luke 14:33.
In answer to the lawyer, Jesus said, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment." Matt. 22:37, 38. It is love Him with all, all, all! This leaves no room for any kind of an idol. That which we allow to stand between us and God, that which hinders us in doing God's will, that is an idol.
It is therefore evident that the one who keeps the first commandment is one with God. In this experience Christ's words are fulfilled when He said, "If a man love Me, he will keep My words; and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him." John 14:23. And again, "That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us." John 17:21.
Now the person who has this experience is the one who keeps God's law.
The Gospel of Christ is a provision to meet the broad demands of the law. The law is exceeding broad, but no broader than the Gospel. He who accepts the Gospel in truth will thru that meet the demands of the law. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." Rev. 3:20.
Surely if Christ abides within us, since He was one with the Father, we will be one with Him; and while He abides within, He will in us fulfil the law tho exceeding broad. Rom. 8:1-4.
The provision to keep the first, is the provision to keep all. God's law is a unit. Paul speaks of the whole law as "the commandment." Rom. 7:10-13. It is one commandment, for our sakes drawn out to ten. Its precepts are so linked that James could say, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." James 2:10.
Now to be one with God is to know Him, and this is life eternal. Jesus said to the rich young man, "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." Matt. 19:17. This man's idol was his riches. It was this that stood between him and God, and prevented him from knowing God, and, of course, from keeping God's commandments.
To know God is peace—a peace that passeth all understanding. "Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace." Job 22:21. And, "Great peace have they which love Thy law, and nothing shall offend them." Ps. 119:165. Again, "O that thou hadst harkened to My commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea." Isa. 48:18.