There is a difference.  One is acknowledging His identity and the other is acknowledging who He is personally.  The prophet Isaiah touches on something very subtle yet hits at the core of modern-day Christianity.  Let’s look at the Verse of the Day:

Isaiah 25:1

​1 Lord, you are my God;

I will exalt you and praise your name,

for in perfect faithfulness

you have done wonderful things,

things planned long ago.

(NIV)

First, the prophet calls Him by name.  He is Jehovah God. He is the Lord. He is God.  He is all of these things, but then Isaiah goes to the next place.  “You are MY God.”  There are many people who believe in God, but much fewer who have made God their God.  Many people are fans of God, but He is not their God. But God doesn’t need another fan!

The word ‘god’ has the definition of a celestial, supernatural, supreme being.  As Christians, our definition is the Creator and Sustainer of all things, consisting of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  But knowing God’s name doesn’t make him our God. Sometimes, people look at Christianity much like a football or basketball team.  For example, Texas Tech (Wreck ‘em Tech) is my team. The Dallas Cowboys are my team. In sports, however, this is the team we root for.  This is the team we want to see win. But we are not in the locker room dedicating ourselves to the strategy put forth by the coaching staff.  No, we are in the stands or in front of the television griping and complaining when our team doesn’t perform well. Do you ever find yourself relating to God in this way?

When God isn’t arranging your life that way You think He should, do you get a bad attitude?  Do you change the channel? Wanting to see Christianity win, whether in schools, the courts, or public opinion doesn’t make God your God.  Agreeing with Christian principles and wanting to see them enacted more doesn’t make the Lord…our God.

For the Lord to be our God, we must respond to Him as if He is who He says He is and let our life decisions be based on His strategy for life.  God is telling me the strategy to win life, to have an abundant life, solid relationships, less drama, not to mention eternal life. But if I don’t listen to Him nor do what He suggests in Scripture, but complain when things aren’t going the way I want them, I am nothing more than a Monday-morning-armchair Christian.  You know, like the guys who have never played football, or at least not at that level who watch ESPN and pick apart everything their team did wrong. Too many Christians complain about the church, complain about God, but they never adopt His coaching strategy for their own life as if He knows what He is talking about.

God gives us a choice.  We don’t have to listen to Him.  We don’t have to follow His ways.  We don’t have to live our life according to the principles of Scripture.  God doesn’t force anyone. But if we don’t, then we may be a fan of God, but we are not living as if He is our God.

Fans are fickle, have you ever noticed?  As long as their team is doing well, the fans love them.  But the same people who wear logos of their favorite team on their clothing will rip the same team when they lose.  Fickle. Are you fickle with God? Do you love Him during your favorite worship song, but focus on everything He hasn’t done for you yet?  Don’t be a fan. Make Him your God. Follow Him completely to the best of your ability. Don’t just call Him God. Make Him your God.

Let me know how your walk with Christ is going.  Don’t forget to contact me if you need some Biblical Life Coaching.  Leave me a comment, like the post, share it and all that other social stuff.  It will help me get the Word of God to more people.  Thanks!

Live Blessed and Be a Blessing!

Pastor Lee is a pastor and Biblical life coach.  He has been helping people through counseling, pastoring, teaching, and preaching for 20+ years.  His ministry focuses on helping people overcome the strongholds of the past and press on into God’s plan for an abundant life.  He has been married to his wife, Amy for 28 years.  He has three sons and one daughter-in-love.  For more about Pastor Lee or to get some Biblical advice, go to the About page.