A Plain-Language Look at Contentment, Confusion, and the True Heart of Christianity
Let’s be honest: a lot of people today feel restless and unhappy—even those who say they believe in God. Why is that? One big reason, according to the Bible and many thoughtful teachers, is that many people just don’t “know” God. Not in the sense of knowing some facts about God, or going to church out of habit, but really knowing who God is, what He’s like, and what He wants for us.
When we don’t know God, we miss out on the deep satisfaction, or contentment, that comes from trusting and walking with Him. Instead, we often find ourselves chasing after other things—money, good feelings, approval, or even just the comfort of going through the motions. But all these things leave us empty, not full.
Let’s break down why this happens, what the Bible says about it, and what it really means to seek God in a world that often pulls us in every other direction.
Why So Many Are Discontented: The Problem of Not Knowing God
Many people inside and outside the church are searching for meaning, joy, or peace, but never seem to find it. They might be busy with religious activities, but something is still missing. At the root of much of this dissatisfaction is a basic ignorance—not knowing God as He really is.
This isn’t just about not knowing the rules or the stories in the Bible. It’s about not understanding God’s ways and not experiencing a personal, ongoing connection with Him. It’s possible to be active in church, to pray now and then, and still feel like God is distant. Sometimes, keeping up with religious routines in a culture that doesn’t value faith can make God seem even more remote.
Some people, seeing this emptiness, get so frustrated that they leave the church altogether, hoping to find God on their own. Others stay, but drift into confusion or disappointment.
The Traps That Distract Us
Over time, several ideas have crept into Christianity that actually pull us away from the true heart of the faith. Let’s look at a few of these:
· Prosperity Gospel: This is the idea that if you have enough faith, God will make you rich and healthy. It’s very popular in some circles, because who wouldn’t want those things? But this teaching turns God into a vending machine and faith into a transaction. The focus ends up being on getting stuff from God, not on loving or trusting God for who He is.
· Gospel of Works: Here, the message is that you have to be good enough to earn your way to heaven. This sounds like common sense (you get what you deserve), but it totally misses the p oint of the Bible, which says salvation is a free gift. We can’t ever be good enough on our own—God saves us because He loves us, not because we’re perfect.
· Relativism: This is the belief that everyone can make up their own truth—if it feels right to you, then it’s right, at least for you. But the Bible says truth is solid, not shifting sand. Real hope and direction come from something that doesn’t change, and that’s the message God gives in His Word.
These ideas might sound appealing. They’re simple, they promise quick results, and they fit with how our culture thinks. But they all miss the real Good News: that knowing God, trusting Jesus, and growing in faith is what changes lives—not chasing after money, trying to be perfect, or inventing our own way.
Christian Nationalism—A Dangerous Distraction
There’s another idea that’s become popular, especially in America: the belief that the country was founded as a Christian nation and that Christianity should always be tied to national power or identity. Sometimes, this has even led to mixing faith with racism or the pursuit of political power.
But following Jesus is about more than belonging to a certain country or having influence. The church is called to be different—not just another power group, but a community shaped by God’s love, humility, and care for all people.
So What Does the Bible Really Teach?
If we want to know God (and not just know about Him), it helps to go back to basics. The Bible lays out a few foundational truths about who God is, and understanding these can help us get back on track.
· God has spoken to us. The Bible is God’s message to people, given not just for scholars or pastors, but for everyone. It’s there to make us wise and to lead us to real life.
· 2. God is in charge. He is Lord and King over the world. He rules everything for His own good purposes, and all that He does shows His greatness. Everything God does—whether we understand it or not—reveals who He is, so we can worship Him.
· 3. God saves. God doesn’t just watch us from a distance; He steps in, through Jesus, to rescue people from the mess of sin. If we trust Him, He forgives us, adopts us as His children, and fills our lives with blessing—real blessing, not just money or comfort.
· 4. God is three-in-one. Christians believe in the Trinity: the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. All three work together to save us—God the Father planned it, Jesus made it happen, and the Spirit applies it in our lives.
· 5. Real faith means living it out. Knowing God isn’t just about having the right ideas. It means responding: trusting Him, obeying His Word, praying, worshipping, praising, and serving. True religion is living in the light of what God has said.
The Consequences of Not Knowing God—What the Bible Says
The Bible is blunt about what happens when people ignore or reject God’s message. There are several verses where God says that His people are destroyed, not because they’re not trying hard enough, but because they lack knowledge—they don’t know Him or His ways.
One verse, Hosea 4:6, says: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you…” In other words, ignoring what God says leads to brokenness and loss—not just as a punishment but as a natural result. If you turn away from the source of life, you end up empty.
Jeremiah 4:22 puts it this way: “My people are fools; they do not know me. They are senseless children; they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil; they know not how to do good.” The problem isn’t just ignorance, but a kind of willful stubbornness—a refusal to listen, even when the truth is available.
Isaiah 1:3 says: “The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib; but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Even animals recognize who takes care of them, but sometimes people don’t recognize the God who made and loves them.
What Should We Do?
If you feel like you’ve drifted, or you’re not sure you really know God, don’t panic. The good news is that God invites everyone to seek Him, and He promises to be found.
Here are some simple next steps:
· Seek knowledge. Make it your aim to know God. Not just to know things about Him, but to actually meet Him and walk with Him.
· Study the Scriptures. Read the Bible—not to check a box, but to listen for God’s voice and learn His ways. There are lots of helpful plans and guides out there if you’re not sure where to start.
· Pray. Talk to God honestly about how you feel, your questions, and your doubts. Jeremiah 33:3 says, “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and hidden things that you have not known.” God wants to be known, and He’s not hiding.
Why This Matters
Not knowing God isn’t just an ancient problem—it’s still at the root of so much confusion, weakness, and dissatisfaction in the church and our own lives today. When we chase after other things—money, good feelings, political power, or just doing things our own way—we lose sight of the real joy and contentment that only God can give.
But it doesn’t have to stay that way. Anyone can begin the journey of knowing God, and it’s a journey that never ends. The more we know Him, the more we find our true selves, our purpose, and our peace, no matter what’s happening around us.
If you’ve felt empty, confused, or far from God, remember: you’re not alone, and you’re not stuck. The invitation to know God goes out to everyone—even now. Why not take the next step today?
Minister A Francine Green
September 2025
afrancinegreen.com 