Why the Difference Matters in Everyday Faith
Have you ever thought about the difference between really knowing someone and just knowing facts about them? For example, you might know a lot about your favorite celebrity—their birthday, favorite food, and all their movies—but you wouldn’t say you actually know them as a friend. The same idea applies to our relationship with God. There’s a big difference between knowing about God and truly knowing Him.
What Does It Mean to “Know About” God?
Many of us spend time learning facts and ideas about God. We read the Bible, listen to sermons, go to Bible studies, and maybe even enjoy discussing theology—the study of God. We might be able to explain complicated Christian beliefs or spot when someone’s teaching is off. People might even come to us for advice or to lead groups because we seem knowledgeable.
But being able to talk about God intelligently, or to give the right answers about faith, isn’t the same as having a real, personal connection with Him. It’s possible to be an expert on the outside, but miss the heart of what it means to know God on the inside.
You Can Know About God, But Not Really Know Him
Think of it like this: You could read every book about swimming, watch every tutorial, and know all the techniques, but if you’ve never stepped into the water, you don’t really know what swimming is like. In the same way, you can know a lot about God—His characteristics, laws, and stories—without enjoying a real, living relationship with Him.
What About “Knowing About” Godly Living?
It’s also easy to learn about how to live a Christian life. There are countless guides, sermons, and books telling us how to pray, how to be happy, how to act as a Christian in different situations. We can even become quite skilled at helping others out of their struggles or giving advice on “how to do Christianity right.”
But again, it’s possible to know all the steps and rules and still miss out on knowing God personally. We might be busy with Christian activities and good deeds but still feel like something is missing deep down.
The Heart of the Matter: Do You Know God?
So, what’s the point? The real question isn’t how much you know about God or even how well you can live out the Christian life. The core issue is: Have you actually known God for yourself? Is your faith just a set of facts and habits, or is it a real relationship that brings joy, freedom, and peace, even when life is tough?
When we truly know God, He becomes more than just a subject to study or a set of rules to follow. He becomes a friend, a guide, and a source of hope and strength. The challenges and disappointments of life no longer control us because our relationship with God brings a deeper sense of meaning and comfort.
In Simple Terms
It’s good to learn about God and how to live as a Christian. But don’t stop there. Make sure you’re not just collecting information about God—take time to get to know Him personally. Talk to Him in prayer, trust Him with your worries, and look for ways to enjoy His presence in your daily life.
A little bit of real knowledge of God is worth far more than tons of facts about Him. True faith isn’t just knowing the right answers—it’s knowing God Himself.
Minister A Francine Green
November 2025
afrancinegreen.com 