# 299: What is the Name of Your God

In Webster’s New World College Dictionary, Fourth Edition, the definition of the word “god” is: 1) any of various beings conceived of as supernatural, immortal, and having special powers over the lives and affairs of people and the course of nature; deity, esp. a male deity; typically considered objects of worship; 2) an image that is worshiped; idol; 3) a person or thing deified or excessively honored or admired; 4) [G] in monotheistic religions, the creator and ruler of the universe, regarded as eternal, infinite, all-powerful, and all-knowing; Supreme Being; the Almighty.

Most people who consider themselves as Christians say the name of their God is # 4: creator, eternal, Almighty God, etc. Actually, the name of the God Christians supposedly worship is Jehovah.

Here is something that must be considered when a person claims to a Christian: In the true sense, a genuine Christian must adhere to what is taught/commanded in the New Testament (NT). If one doesn’t, his/her claim is invalid. They most likely, though unknowingly, worship different gods.

Another god that has an extremely large following always—or most often—operates incognito, as it were. He has billions of loyal adherents. His followers love him because through his deception, he attempts to gives them all that their hearts desire. In fact, he many times disguises himself as a beautiful, loving angel of light. What is so attractive about this god is that he doesn’t care how many other gods his followers have; he is not jealous. The name of this mighty, popular god is Satan the devil. 2nd Corinthians 4:4. “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers . . .”

The biggest majority of the world’s gods are worshiped for the pleasures and joy they bring to billions of humans. The majority of these gods are inanimate; the list of how many there are is endless. Let me name just a few: accomplishments, possessions, expensive homes, flashy motor vehicles, monetary wealth, skill, esoteric knowledge, etc.

The majority of people who think of themselves as Christians unknowingly have many other gods they worship—even though they wouldn’t call it worship—above and beyond Jehovah and His Son Jesus Christ. That means their devotion to Almighty God is compromised. And this is where the trouble starts and for most never ends.

Here is the reason for the trouble: In the Old Testament, there are ten verses or more that clearly state that our Almighty God is a jealous God, especially of inanimate things that are idolized. Exodus 34:14. “Do not worship any other gods, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” Most likely the reason God’s jealousy is not often taught in mainstream Christianity is because the word “jealousy” is mentioned only once in the New Testament: The apostle Paul mentioned it just once in 2nd Corinthians 11:2. “I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy.” He was reprimanding the church in Corinth.

Therefore, when Christians have things or people, even our family members, who we love and are proud of, or honor and admire, we in a real sense—though unknowingly—are making them our gods. And this is what angers Almighty God, because He demands that we love Him and Him alone with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t love our family members any less than we loved them before. But in comparison to our love for God, love for self and family comes second as to importance.

It could be that most of us may have things and/or people who we honor and admire in an excessive way, besides our Almighty God. The thing is, we don’t consider them as gods. But in reality what we are unknowingly doing is taking our devotion away from The Almighty. This concept will not go well with many in America, even though the NT explicitly commands we must love God with our all. There are three gospels that teach the same principle that God demands all our devotion. I will give just one: Luke 10:27. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind …” The key word in these verses is the word “all”.

In the Old Testament, the nation of Israel infuriated the Lord over and over again because they sacrificed to gods that could not speak or hear. And for their disloyalty, God severely punished the nation of Israel over and over again. At this time, He is withholding our punishment for the end of time. And the punishment will be eternal death.

I don’t believe this post will convince many to abandon their worldly gods, which most likely are intricate parts of their lives. That means people who believe they are Christians and are doing wrong according to Scripture, don’t fear the Almighty, are in big trouble. I realize that bad habits are difficult if not impossible to break, but no one said Christianity would be easy.

Did anyone ever hear a preacher say that it would be difficult to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? The word “disciple” means to be disciplined in the teachings of the one we claim to follow. No, it will not be an easy thing to be a genuine Christian. In contrast to that, the organized Christian religion per se, has become a continual free-for-all, or better yet “anything goes.” And nothing or no one is going to change it even though there are/will be a very few who will realize their lives of error and start to live as dictated by the New Testament.

This fraudulent type of religion got exacerbated by our modern times of wanting everything easy, comfortable and right now. And if things are not that way, they will be rejected by many because these rejects will silently say, “We want a religion that fits our lazy human nature,” even though most will deny that they are lazy. The word “lazy” is an extremely degrading word in our present-day culture. In fact, I don’t believe Christ-like Christianity was meant for our complex, modern life. Our modern, silent motto is “keeping up with the Joneses” and not with the teachings of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.

In conclusion, yes, if anyone is absolutely serious about their connection to Jesus Christ, and does not/will not trust the comforting words of professional preachers, they will make certain that their only God is named Almighty Jehovah God.