Steven Garofalo
Spirituality/Belief • Education • News
SAYING WE KNOW GOD BUT ACTING AS IF WE DON’T
By Steven Garofalo June 28, 2023 (Copyright 2023)
June 28, 2023

“KNOWING GOD BUT ACTING AS IF WE NEVER HEARD OF HIM?”

People speak about being a Christian and “knowing God”. But what does that mean? Today, I want to show you the difference and danger between proclaiming to know God on one hand and acting as if you never heard of Him on the other.

1 John 3:6 says, “No one who abides in Him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen Him or known Him”. What John is saying is simply that the lifestyle of the believer who keeps God’s commands (abides) will be one of obedience, not sin. The lifestyle of the one who keeps on sinning demonstrates that he does not truly know God.

Let’s take a step back and look at what what it means to “know God”. What does it mean to “know God”? Scripture seems to speak to two ways in which a person can “know God”. The first is to have a personal relationship with Him. We can know God in through a personal relationship because of what Christ did on the Cross for us to remove the barrier of sin that separated us from God (Galatians 4:3-9; Hebrews 8:11-12). But “knowing God” goes hand in hand with a second way, which is “living a godly lifestyle”. If we proclaim that we “know” God then our actions should show it; reflect that proclamation (1 John 1:6; 4:7). It was on this very point that Jeremiah challenged King Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 22:15-16).

Perhaps Jehoiakim thought that because he was an Israelite and because his father had known the Lord that he automatically “knew” the Lord as well. If so, he was mistaken. Josiah had matched his words and actions actually doing justice and righteousness and not just talking about them. In that sense, he truly “knew” the Lord(22:15-16).  This is just like many of us who grew up in Christian nations and homes in America and Europe who identity with the Christian faith in a cultural way. I submit that this is no different from Jehoiakim’s attitude and understanding of what it means to “know God”. Going back to 1 John, the Apostle Paul bring much clarity in what it truly means to “know God”.

Looking at 1 John 5-6, if Christ is sinless (which He is), and the purpose of His coming was to remove sin, then “whoever abides in Him does not sin”. Habitually, repetitive sinful conduct with no effort to bring correction indicates an  absence of fellowship with Christ. Such a person may proclaim that they know God, but they fail to live out that proclamation. If we claim to be Christian but sin in our way of living, our status as children of God can legitimately be questioned. To think this way is very unpopular today in our individual centered society.

Some understand sin to refer to an occasional sin rather than the habitual practice of sin. For them the true Christian either does not sin at all, or attains to achieve a sinless state at some point The affirmation of 1:9-2:2 shows that Christians do indeed sin on occasion. I would submit that all humans will sin until they pass from this life of sanctification into “glorification” in the perfect presence of the Lord. Still, that is NO excuse to continue to sin. John is not contradicting himself here since the present tense verb can have the sense of practicing sin rather than just committing a single sin. John’s words, “Neither seen Him nor known Him” speaks to the fact that in the act of sin there is no vision of God. Sin is the result of blindness and ignorance toward God (2 Peter 1:9). Every sin that a BELIEVER commits is the result of wrongly thinking about God. In fact, if a believer never thought wrong about God, he or she would never sin, Little wonder that the Apostle Paul uriges us to bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). Any thought that you and I entertain that cannot pass that test may well be Satan’s opportunity to take charge in our heart, mind and ultimately our actions (Acts 5:2-3).

How about you? Do you have a personal relationship with God on the basis of faith in Christ? If so, does your life reflect that relationship through what you do in action; especially the way you treat others; particularly those who are at a disadvantage? Would your life and character influence an unbeliever towards God, or drive them away from Him? In the end, we must let no one deceive them about morality. The truth is only he who does what is right is righteous, like Jesus (1 John 3:7).  Do you have a true trust and faith in Jesus Christ? Be careful of claiming to “know” the Lord if you act as if you’ve never even heard Him (Luke 6:46). If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, I invite you to bow your head, authentically confess your sins and tell Jesus that with His strength (the strength of the Holy Spirit), that you want to live for Him with an “authentic” faith drive by your love for Jesus and the Word of God. If you, like many Christian’s, have gotten away from a serious walk with the Lord Jesus Christ, I want to welcome you to do the same, but in the context of “recommitting” your life to Jesus Christ. Please do this, and together, let’s help one another in our daily walk with Jesus Christ. If we do this, I guaranteed that the power of God burst through and materialize in our actions-we live our life in light of our “proclamation” that we are an authentic Christian.

community logo
Join the Steven Garofalo Community
To read more articles like this, sign up and join my community today
0
What else you may like…
Videos
Podcasts
Posts
Articles
Live Chat
Let's Take Church & Faith Seriously

When we go to church, let us not take that for granted. Let's keep our eye's, heart and MIND focussed on God, His word and the sermon. Let's be careful to make promises to God we are not willing to keep. And let's enjoy being in God's presence. Let's take our faith and church seriously.

00:04:38
Back From Vacation…this is what we saw
00:00:13
A REMINDER FROM MIAMI
00:01:41
Live Chat
WHEN GOD REWARDS OUR GIVING

Jesus addresses when God rewards us for our good deeds. To be more specific, Christ discusses three pharisaic practices of piety. They include: 1) GIVING 2) PRAYER and 3) FASTING. Today, we are going to look at the first of these, which is when God rewards or does not reward our “GIVING”.

WHEN GOD REWARDS OUR GIVING
Live Chat
RADIO INTERVIEW-LOOKING BACK-Religious Freedom in 04-09-15

With the United States and world at a moral cross roads, today, we are looking back to an interview from 2015 whereby Steven was interviewed regarding "Religious Freedom". This is not a critique of any specific issues-but is a look back almost ten years (a full decade) to see where we came from. WHY? Becuase heading into 2026 we can look back to see where we are going. Again, the issue is not a critique on sexual orientation, but about religious freedom. People are people-and all people are sinners. Let's make sure to be compassionate with non-Christians in an effort to reach them for Christ while standing without compromise on the orthodox Word of God. Is that difficult. Yes it is.

GOD BLESS YOU!

RADIO INTERVIEW-LOOKING BACK-Religious Freedom in 04-09-15
Live Chat
CHRISTMAS=Equals=LOVE

Christmas IS or EQUALS LOVE. Merry Christmas to our COMMUNITY. May God continue to bless you, protect you, provide for you and give you great joy beyond understanding....Merry Christmas Eve-Steven

CHRISTMAS=Equals=LOVE
DON’T ALPINE ON THE “GOOD OLD DAYS”

“Say not, “Why were the former days better than these” (Ecclesiastes 7:10).

WHY? The answer is that the temptation to glorify the past at the expense of the must be resisted. The pleasures or advantages of THOSE DAYS may be more imaginary than real.

CONGRATULATIONS ZACHARIA GAROFALO! You have officially been awarded the Trail Life USA “FREEDOM AWARD!”

After 6.5 years Zach…you have earned this award. Mom and I are over the top PROUD OF YOU! May God bless you here forward as Trail Life USA has changed your life … in Christ.
Ps. This is sunstantially more difficult to earn than the Eagle Scout Award).

post photo preview
ARE YOU AS ZELOUS AS SAUL WAS?

It never ceases to amaze me how lethargic we as Christian’s can be. When we were saved we were called to. Called not to rest from God’s mission but rest only from the ways of this world. Sadly, most Christians are on the sidelines in today’s world. WHY? I think it’s because we feel we are in the safe cacoon of the Lord’s arms.

While true in one sense, the truth is that we are called to get out of the cacoon and into the battle of good and evil as representatives of Lord and Savior-standing slbodly for His goodness once saved. We are not called to relax by the beach but to share the love and truth of a Christ with anyone who happens to be at the beach when we are visiting. And the same wherever we go 24/7.

Our family is at the beach in Charleston this week and a nice Southern lady came up to Heather in the beach to speak with her-saying “you are a good southern Christian” aren’t you?” She was half right but we are not southern😎. Heather explained that she met me at a church in ...

post photo preview
DO PETS GO TO HEAVEN?

When I was in seminary, the question was raised as to if pets or animals in general go to heaven. Our professor, Dr. Norman Geisler said this: “Jesus Christ came to earth and died on the Cross for the human race, not animals.” I was working out at the gym one day when one of the regulars, who had just moved to Charlotte, NC from California told me that one of her beloved dogs died; and would that dog go to heaven. I have her the same answer. But, was that the whole story? That’s what we are going to look at today.

In a peace by Michael Housman, Founder of GotQuestions.Org, Housman wrote that “The BIble does not give any explicit teaching on whether pets or animals in general have souls, or spirits, or whether pets and other animals will be in heaven.

His answer was short but the animals not having souls maybe up for debate.

We can use general biblical principles to develop some clarity on the subject though Housman wrote. The Bible states that both man (Genesis 2:7) and animals (Genesis 1:30; 6:17; 7:15 and 22) have the “BREATH OF LIFE” that is, both man and animals are living beings. Furthermore, the primary difference between human beings and animals is that humanity is made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27), while animals are not.

Being made in the image and likeness of God means that human beings are like God in some ways; they are capable of spirituality; they have a mind, emotion, and “will”; and part of their “being” continues after death.

If pets and other animals do have a “soul” (or spirit or immaterial aspect), it must therefore be of a different and lesser “quality”. This difference possibly means that pets and other animal “souls”  do not continue in existence after death.

Another factor to consider regarding whether pets will be in heaven is that animals are a port of God’s creative process in Genesis. God created the animals and said they were good (Genesis 1:25). Therefore, there is no reason why there could not be pets and animals on the NEW EARTH as described in (Revelation 21:1). 

In the end, there will most definitely be animals during the millennial kingdom (Isaiah 11:6; 65:25). It is impossible to say definitely whether some animals of these animals might be the pets we had here on earth. We do know that God is just and that when we get to heaven, we will find ourselves in complete agreement with His decision on this issue, whatever that turns out to be.

So, there you have it. I think that’s the best answer on the subject in all honest. Please remember to SUBSCRIBE to our channel and check out StevenGarofalo.Com for exclusive content and early release of our two weekly podcast.

Until next time, I’m your host Steven Garofalo, and this is your reason for truth for today.

Read full Article
AN ETHICAL ECONOMY IS GOOD FOR ALL
By Steven Garofalo, May 2, 2025

WHAT MAKES A GOOD ECONOMY

Government corruption comes to the advantage of a few-but at the expense of many if not all the rest of society. Today, I am going to show you through Ecclesiastes 5:8-9 that vanity and wealth, if not kept accountable, will devour one’s honor and the honor or the nation in whole. Let’s get started.

The Vanity of Wealth and Honor is an interesting subject in light of wealth, corruption, and the human heart. This subject effects many things, including what makes a good economy. 

In the Book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 5, verses eight to nine, Solomon says the following:

Ecclesiastes 5:8-9
“8 If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. 9 But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields.”

COMMENTARY: There are two things king Solomon is saying here within the theme of the vanity of WEALTH and HONOR. Wealth and honor are two different things, as one can have wealth with or without honor or honor with or without wealth. That being said, let’s look at verses 8 and 9 independently to see the simple message God provides us today through Solomon.

BREAK DOWN
Ecclesiastes 5:8-9

THE ABUSE OF AUTHORITY & WEALTH
 “8 If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them." 

COMMENTARY: Verse 8 clearly illustrates that there is a corruption at every level of government, with higher level oppressors plundering the equally oppressive lower-level magistrates. This perhaps explains the st state of America and the world. With blackmail running. Rampant and the public sector unchecked, they have been robbing the everyday citizen of their hard earned money. As a result, the system became insulated and division between the haves and have nots became more defined. When the high level government officials rob and abuse those below them, someone above that person robs and abuses the higher level person himself.

In America, where we print money out of thin air for the world, in this short period of history, there is little need to plunder those under one authority because there is so much to steal that those in authority can simply pay them off or blackmail them; whichever is most convenient. Either way, Solomon makes abundantly clear that when there is nobody minding the ship, evil perpetuates to the point of overtaking the government in whole. As a result, we end up with a 2024 government, riddles with corruption, immorality, blackmail, lawlessness, and all other things evil due to the lack of God-ness which equates to “goodness”. 

Economically speaking, when this happens to a country, its own economy begins to decline into debt due to their insatiable desire and emotional need for more money and resources. When resources are stripped and money is squandered, the elite few are smart enough to collect those resources and money and we end up with a U.S. Stock Market where only 5% holds up to 80%  of the entire market wealth. 

WHAT IS THE ANSWER?
The answer and solution is to keep to return to the system we created in the first place which is free market capitalism that allows those who desire to work hard, to have a fair chance at success, making money and turning a fair profit. This is called “honor for everyone”.

HONOR FOR EVERYONE
"9 But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields.”

CONCLUSION:

Government corruption comes to the advantage of a few-but at the expense of many if not all the rest of society. Vanity and wealth, if not kept accountable, devours one’s honor and the honor or the nation in whole. Solomon (Qohelet) considered goverment to be frustrating becuase it was a necessary evil, something deply flawed but indespsnsible. On the one hand people sould "not be shocked" when they see OPPRESSION and injustice in a governmental province (v.8). After all, bloated government bureaucracy tends to frustrate justice (v.8b). On the other hand, government has it advantages (v.9). Many hold to the belief that this verse continues the negeative assessment of government. Others see this passage better understood more positively since it fits with Qohelet's normal pattern of "on the one hand, on the other.." way of teaching. 

Even a corrupt government is better than anarchy, which devastates a country, it's culture and in Solomon's time, an agrarian economy that would lead to starvation. Keeping to God's ways is the only solution to man's sinful nature; especially in governmental rule. In the end, a king who devotes himself to developing the resources of the land ushers in a systems that brings the opportunity for profit to all, not just the corrupt few.

Read full Article
SOLA SCRIPTURA
A Protestant & Catholic View Comparison

I grew up Catholic and now go to a Protestant or non-Catholic church in Charlotte, NC. Michael Houdmann, Founder and CEO of GotQuestions.Org writes that a major difference between the two boils down to believing in the Bible alone as God's word verses believing that God's word plus man's input as the divine inspired word of God.

WHAT DO PROTESTANTS BELIEVE?

A major difference is the issue of sufficiency and authority of Scripture. While Protestants believe that the Bible alone is the source of God's special revelation to mankind, it also speaks to everything we need to understand as necessary for our salvation from sin.

Protestants view the Bible as the STANDARD for Christian morality and ethics which governs our behavior. This is called sola scripture and is one of the five Solas in Christianity. (Solas meaning "alone" in Latin. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 makes clear that "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (ESV).

WHAT DO CATHOLICS BELIEVE?

Catholics do not believe in sola scriptura hence do not believe that the Bible alone is sufficient. They see both the Bible and sacred Roman Catholic tradition as equally authoritative and binding on the Christian. While not all Catholics hold to doctrines such as purgatory, praying to the saints, worship or veneration of Mary, etc., the Catholic doctrine hold to them even though they have little or no mention or basis in the Bible. In truth, these doctrines are based on Roman Catholic traditions based on the Catholic Church's insistence that the Bible and tradition are equal in authority. The problem with this is that it undermines the sufficiency, authority, and completeness of the Bible. The view of Scripture is at the root of many, if not all, of the differences between Catholics and Protestants.

Read full Article
Available on mobile and TV devices
google store google store app store app store
google store google store app tv store app tv store amazon store amazon store roku store roku store
Powered by Locals