Who is God to You?
Unknown God
Many people do not believe in God because they don't know : "Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you." (Acts 17:22‑23)
The people of Athens did not believe in the eternal God because of ignorance. Therefore, they worshipped other gods. Christians were not among them.
An Enemy
Some people know God but do not trust Him. They accuse God of being unjust, of killing human lives, and of being jealous, and they view Him as their enemy. Why do they see Him as an enemy? Because Satan is the true adversary of God. Since the world is under Satan’s influence, these people are affected by his ideology. From their perspective there is no reason to trust God—no one trusts an enemy. It is very important not to regard God as an enemy.
911
Many Christians view God as a helper in times of emergency. When they are in trouble, they call out for help—just as people dial 911 on their phones. However, when everything is fine, the number 911 fades from memory. Likewise, many people quickly remember and invoke God’s name when they face difficulties, reciting Psalms 23, 91, and 121 repeatedly. They make vows to serve and give offerings if He delivers them from their troubles.
Once they are delivered, though, they often forget about God and return to their ordinary lives. For these people, God is like 911: a resource they rely on only when problems arise, but once the crisis passes, the connection with Him weakens.
A Rich Man
Some people view God as a rich man. If they could become rich, they would desire to be close to Him. The reason is that they want His wealth more than they love Him. Similarly, those who see God as a rich man only desire His blessings. They give tithes and offerings hoping that heaven will open and pour out blessings upon them (Malachi 3:10). In reality, tithes and offerings are God's possessions. There is nothing to boast about or remember in giving them. However, they give tithes and offerings with the hope of becoming rich.
Those who see God only as a giver of blessings emphasize that a believer becomes a son of God (John 1:12; Romans 8:16).
Indeed, one who believes in Christ is a son of God. If you are a son of God, you will inherit things. Therefore, sons of God believe they should be prosperous and successful in this world. Their favorite verses include “I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10, 2 Corinthians 8:9).
It is true that a son of God inherits things. However, a child receives his inheritance only after the father's death. The lost son who asked for his share before his father died ended up in ruin (Luke 15). Believers are sons, but they are also servants of God. Servants perform their master's work. While living on earth, servants must do the Lord's work; the inheritance is realized upon entering heaven. While serving on earth, the Father takes responsibility for the needs of His servants. Yet those who do not understand what it means to be a servant and only wish to be sons are like spoiled children of wealthy men—people who know only how to indulge in life, live in luxury, and become lazy. Those who see God merely as a rich man never follow His will but constantly crave His blessings.
A Doctor
Some people consider God a great healer who can cure diseases. For these individuals, healing their ailments is paramount. They have deep faith in God’s ability to heal them and also place strong trust in doctors when they are sick. However, once they recover, they often stop paying attention. Consequently, those who believe only in God as a healer tend not to remain vigilant after they feel better; they become aware again only when another illness arises. In short, for them believing in God’s healing power requires the experience of sickness.
A Superiors
People sometimes regard God with the same intensity that subordinates hold toward their managers—a kind of reverential fear that demands respect and obedience. In a typical workplace, employees listen to orders from their superiors because they understand that defiance can have consequences; yet when no one is watching, many will act on their own whims or follow personal preferences. A comparable pattern exists in religious life: certain believers take the words of sermons or the guidance of a pastor seriously, treating them with deference out of respect for God. However, outside those moments—outside church services, prayers, or formal instruction—they may return to their usual habits and make choices that reflect their own desires rather than a continual commitment to divine directives.
God
Only a few people see God as God. For them, God is incomparable. Therefore, the psalmist says: “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” (Psalm 100)
So, who is God to you?
