PREACHING OF FEBRUARY 23, 2025:
Doctor Francesco Puccio
BELIEVING IS NOT KNOWING
With Dr. Francesco Puccio's preaching, an intense formative immersion comes to an end, where the teaching on leadership has provided guidance and encouragement for spiritual leadership and the growth of groups of believers. So now, we move on to the message from Sunday evening's worship service, titled "Believing Is Not Knowing," starting immediately with a frequently quoted verse.
Romans 10:17; 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
There is a fundamental difference between believing in God and truly knowing Him because many grow up in an environment where He is frequently spoken about, religious services are attended, and faith is part of the culture. However, believing in His existence does not necessarily mean knowing Him. One can be convinced that God exists, but if this conviction does not lead to an authentic relationship with Him, it remains only an abstract idea. Without direct knowledge of His person and will, there is a risk of constructing a distorted image of God, attributing to Him characteristics far from His true nature. Life experiences can often warp one's perception of God, making Him seem distant or indifferent, causing confusion and leading people away from faith. Yet, the Bible teaches that God desires to reveal Himself personally to those who seek Him with a sincere heart. The knowledge of God does not come merely from religious education or external practices but from a personal encounter with Him through His Word and the Holy Spirit.
Jeremiah 29:13-14; 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 14 And I will be found of you, …
So, the journey of faith is not merely an intellectual adherence but involves growing in a relationship with God, which transforms life and leads to a true knowledge of who He is. You see, even today, in certain contexts, people are taught to believe in God but not to know Him because the testimony of the truth the knowledge of the truth itself is missing. Therefore, faith is not true faith but merely belief, based on stories and teachings received, as if one were taught to believe in God without truly depending on His existence. This condition is similar to that of Job, who, before a real encounter with God, could only say:
Job 42:5; 5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.
Believing without knowing leads to behaviors that do not reflect a true relationship with God. One can imitate the life of a man of faith, associate with the right people, and behave in an exemplary manner in the eyes of others, but none of this equates to knowing God. The risk is building a religious appearance, where a person's worth is determined by the gaze of others rather than the gaze of God. This is religion without a relationship with God: living for the approval of others, serving only where one is seen, and considering human judgment more important than divine judgment. In doing so, one can appear perfect in the eyes of religion while remaining far from God.
Mark 10:19-20; 19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. 20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
Following external rules does not require love, only attentiveness in maintaining an appropriate image, which leads to playing a role, feeling righteous based on what others see, yet lacking true hope. If righteousness depends on the eyes of others, when they are absent, one remains lost, living in solitude, filled with doubts and guilt. In other words, religion without a relationship with God leads to hypocrisy first with oneself, then with others, and finally with God. One can build an entire existence on personal skill, abilities, and influence, but in all this, there is no hope, because hope cannot be achieved through human effort. Without an authentic relationship with God, one remains desolate, waiting for something to happen, because believing in God does not mean knowing Him, as there is no clear and certain reference point.
John 8:32; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
A truth emptied of God's presence creates around us nothing but incredible, powerful, and heavy chains bound to our thoughts. We are the ones who lock them, and only the choice to change our reference point ceasing to merely believe and instead seeking the truth can break those chains. Life cannot be reduced to a continuous cycle of days that begin and end without a concrete hope. If one's only reference is oneself, personal skills, or competence, one remains trapped in a logic devoid of hope. Without the knowledge of God, one becomes aware of their own limitations: wealth can vanish, youth can fade, passions can change, and even human love can become unsatisfying if one does not know God's love. Many crises in couples and families arise precisely from the absence of this knowledge: without understanding true love, it becomes merely an abstract concept, a symbol without substance. Religion, if devoid of God's revelation, does not reveal who He is, does not show His love or an eternal future, but focuses only on the present, which disappears when there are no more eyes watching. One cannot live without knowing God; one may believe in Him, but without a relationship with Him, one does not truly live. Man is a direct emanation of God, and without Him, he experiences the pain of separation, similar to the pain of a missing limb. When the Holy Spirit becomes one's confidant, one realizes the depth of that pain and the loneliness previously lived. God is the One who makes Himself known, who draws us with cords of human kindness.
Hosea 11:4; 4 I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love; …
He lowers Himself so that man does not feel small, seeking to lead him to Himself. Being His children means knowing Him as Father and reflecting on one's condition in order to transform it. True spiritual growth does not depend on human effort or an identity built on religious foundations but on a relationship with the Holy Spirit, who guides into all truth.
John 16:13; 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Without this relationship, one remains tied to an identity built on context rather than on the knowledge of God, seeking belonging to escape loneliness, but true belonging is found only in Him. We live as orphans because if we do not reach the condition where God fully integrates into us and makes us complete, we remain nothing more than poor orphans. The lack of hope leads to despair it means living without awareness or the perception of having the right to receive the best. Hope is the expectation of the best, but when one does not know the One from whom the best comes, they remain without hope. We are all on this earth waiting to become children, but without a father, we are orphans, lacking belonging and protection, for it is the father who provides and watches over. Without a father, we are vulnerable, exposed to every danger, and without security, forced to struggle alone to survive, without roots or a true identity. A root is not just something genetic; it is something learned through closeness, communion, and relationship. The sense of belonging develops in the relationship with the Father because when one is afraid, they seek refuge in someone who protects, embraces, and reassures, but the orphan has no one to watch over them, give them a root, or leave them an inheritance. Orphans try to build security with their own strength, but everything that can be done by human ability is limited and destined to end. The enemy takes advantage of moments of greatest weakness, and so the orphan, in the continuous attempt to fill their lack of belonging, lives without finding peace. Today, it is necessary to ask oneself if there is an awareness of one's identity and the origin of that awareness because knowing the truth not only sets one free but also reveals who they are and where certainty comes from. The orphan does not have a real identity because it is the relationship with the Father that makes one a child. Those who have a father feel guided, loved, and protected, learning the value of love through care and instruction. Without this relationship, one lives in isolation, without guidance, without help in difficult times. The presence or absence of hope in a person’s life is connected to the awareness of their identity. If one is a child, they have hope; if the identity of being a child is missing, hope is lost, and one lives as an orphan. It is important to reflect on who we truly are: Are we playing a role, or do we have full awareness of our identity? Are we nurturing the knowledge of who we are now? Our true identity is not material but spiritual, and if we are children of God, we must nourish this identity. If today we lack this awareness, at least we know where to start and what limit to overcome. Salvation is not completed at the moment one prays the prayer of salvation it is only the beginning of a glorious life, a life shared with the Father, following the example of Jesus and maintaining a daily and constant dialogue with the Holy Spirit. You see, if we are trying to know who the Father is and who Jesus is, we must ask, otherwise, we will not receive an answer, because God responds only to precise and specific requests. And if we want more, we must ask and prepare to receive, emptying our hearts of what fills them to make room for His presence. We must understand where we are drawing information from whether from the mirror, from friends, or from the Word of God and each of us must discover this sincerely because if we continue to live without knowing God, we live as orphans, lacking a true identity. Life is not just about success, but it becomes full and meaningful when we face difficulties with the awareness of having help, both in the people around us and through the Holy Spirit. God has given ministries for the perfecting of the saints so that believers do not face trials alone but find support and guidance in the community. You see, believing is easy, but deeply knowing the Father requires a conscious journey, and Jesus was sent to earth so that we might understand the fatherhood of God. In the Old Testament, His power was revealed, but those who seek only the power of God are seeking only His hand, whereas through Jesus, we come to know the heart of the Father, His love, and His acceptance. To know our Heavenly Father, it is necessary to seek Christ, as it is He who reveals to us who God truly is, who receives us as a natural father would, regardless of our condition. Our true identity is not material, but spiritual; therefore, those who are children of God must nurture this identity, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide them into all truth. The Holy Spirit is the one who continues to reveal what Jesus left for His children after His resurrection, and it is therefore essential to have spiritual ears open to hear His voice and recognize His language. If the awareness of one's identity as a child is lacking, it is necessary to ask where one is drawing the information to define it. The Word of God is the primary source for understanding who we are, rather than relying on earthly experiences or external influences, because we should not live as orphans, but as children, aware of our belonging to God. Life, though not without difficulties, offers the opportunity to experience God's providence, because a life without challenges would be flat, whereas facing problems and seeking solutions makes the journey meaningful. When the Holy Spirit prompts us to pray more to prepare for something that is about to happen, we then understand the value of depending on God. The Holy Spirit not only invites us to pray, but also gives us the solution, for God provides, guides, and offers answers to those who seek Him with a sincere heart. The Word of God is a message of love, hope, and opportunity that allows us to know ourselves, our origin, and our future. Those who have an identity as children know that God's promises will be fulfilled, while those who live as orphans have no inheritance. A person's identity is based on their condition of sonship: if they are a child, they have a stable foundation; otherwise, they will seek passing references that are destined to change over time. Furthermore, being children of God means having the security of an inheritance, the certainty of a future provided by the Father, and the protection of His justice. The knowledge of God is not just a matter of knowing, but of being; therefore, understanding His will must lead to an inner transformation so that we can fully live the relationship with Him. The goal is to walk in a constant search for God, not with a legalistic mentality, but with an awareness that involves Him in every aspect of life. The relationship with God must be daily and deep, not just a theoretical concept, but a lived reality that transforms every action and decision. The first person to turn to is always Him, and it is essential, because we cannot give up the awareness of being children of God. It is essential to develop a strong identity as children, because only then will we have hope, which is the expectation of what God has promised for the future, knowing that He never abandons us and desires that we live our inheritance with Him even now. The heavens are open for the children of God, who have direct contact with the Father thanks to a regenerated spirit; while in the Old Testament, God's servants awaited this access, today those who are born of Him live in constant communion with heaven.
Let's conclude by reading these verses from the Old Testament:
Isaiah 43:1-5; 1 But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 3 For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. 4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. 5 Fear not: for I am with thee; …
This is the hope for those who believe without deeply knowing God, because it's not enough to attend church or be converted for a long time to develop the identity of children, but it's necessary to live an authentic relationship with Him. It's not enough to know that God exists, but it is necessary to live in the awareness of one's identity in Him, so that hope does not remain just a word, but becomes an active waiting for God's promises. If the dialogue with God diminishes, hope fades, and there is a risk of slipping into religious routine, but God, who has redeemed and purified, can still do so today. If one is going through a period of spiritual weariness and hope seems weakened, it is the time to rise again and seek a new manifestation of the power of the Holy Spirit. One should not accept stagnation, because it leads away from the full life God has prepared for His children. Today is the time to awaken your identity, return to prayer, and rediscover the glory of divine sonship, because the Father is waiting with open arms.
