Why Just “Doing Church” Isn’t Enough—and What Makes the Difference
Have you ever had that feeling? You’re doing all the “right” things. You’re going to church, reading your Bible, and joining study groups. But, there’s still something missing in your faith. You’re not alone. Many Christians find themselves wondering why. Despite their sincere efforts, they don’t feel as close to God. They also do not feel as victorious in life as they think they should.
Let’s put it simply: Sometimes, having the right tools and showing up in the right places isn’t enough. You can try hard. You can stay focused. You can be very serious about your faith. Yet, you still feel like you’re not living the full, abundant life that you hear about.
Think of it like learning a new skill. You have the best equipment. You want to succeed. But, if you don’t know the right way to use what you have, you’ll likely miss the mark. In the Christian life, there’s a “strategy” for living in victory—but it’s not something you do on the outside. It’s something deeper.
What is that strategy? It’s about truly knowing God—not just knowing about Him, but really having a personal relationship with Him. This is what makes all the difference.
People know God in different ways:
· Some don’t know Him at all—they’ve never started that relationship.
· Some know God only casually. He’s like an acquaintance they check in with here and there. They may believe in Him, mention Him sometimes, but don’t really connect deeply.
· Others know a lot about God. They might read many books and attend sermons. They can talk at length about God’s qualities and stories. But their knowledge is mostly in their head, not in their heart.
· Some people relate to God mainly through routines and programs. He’s part of their schedule. But he is not necessarily part of their soul.
But here’s the key: The fullness of life and victory comes from making knowing God your life’s top priority. That means moving beyond just activities and information, and seeking a real, living relationship with Him.
So if you feel like something’s missing, don’t just try harder at the same things. Ask yourself: How well do I really know God? Make getting to know Him your greatest goal, and you’ll start to experience the difference you’ve been searching for.
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Minister A Francine Green l July 2025
afrancinegreen.com 