--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I learned that faith isn’t about knowing…" description: "\"“I learned that faith isn’t about knowing all of the right stuff or obeying a list of rules. It’s something more, something more costly because it bein..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb0/bob-goff-1182_faith_i-learned-that-faith-isn-t-about-knowing_498503.png" --- # I learned that faith isn’t about knowing all of the right… ![“I learned that faith isn’t about knowing all of the right stuff or obeying a list of rules. It’s something more, something more costly because it being present and making a sacrifice. Perhaps that’s why Jesus is sometimes called Immanuel - “God with us.” I think that’s what God had in mind, for…” quote by Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb0/bob-goff-1182_faith_i-learned-that-faith-isn-t-about-knowing_498503.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb0/bob-goff-1182_faith_i-learned-that-faith-isn-t-about-knowing_498503.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb0/bob-goff-1182_faith_i-learned-that-faith-isn-t-about-knowing_498503.png) > ““I learned that faith isn’t about knowing all of the right stuff or obeying a list of rules. It’s something more, something more costly because it being present and making a sacrifice. Perhaps that’s why Jesus is sometimes called Immanuel - “God with us.” I think that’s what God had in mind, for Jesus to be present, to just be with us. It’s also what He has in mind for us when it comes to other people.”” [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Faith is described as relational presence and sacrifice, not mere rule‑following, emphasizing God’s closeness and the call to embody that presence toward others. **In simple terms:** Faith is about being present and sacrificing, not just following rules. Key Takeaway Live with sacrificial presence. Themes faith relationship service sacrifice Mood reflective inspirational Type spiritual motivational When to use this quote - church community - personal relationships - volunteering - conflict resolution Key Concepts theology immanence ethical living Questions to Reflect On - How can you embody God’s presence in daily interactions? - What sacrifices are you willing to make for others? A Different Perspective Faith alone does not guarantee moral action without intentional effort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Jesus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jesus/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Right stuff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-stuff/) ## Related quotes > [I learned that faith isn’t about knowing all of the right stuff or obeying a list of rules. It’s something more, something more costly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/i-learned-that-faith-isn-t-about-knowing-all-of-the-right-stuff-or/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [“Yet the Bible also talks about diseases, both of the body and mind, and Jesus heals these diseased people. Ergo, while it is true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-d-taylor/yet-the-bible-also-talks-about-diseases-both-of-the-body-and-mind-and/) [Thomas D. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-d-taylor/) > [“Commit yourself to the possibility that everything you see around you is far less real than God. You want to see the truth "with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/commit-yourself-to-the-possibility-that-everything-you-see-around-you/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [I was wondering if any of my faith was real at all, and I started to let go of a lot of things that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-mineo/i-was-wondering-if-any-of-my-faith-was-real-at-all-and-i-started-to/) [Andy Mineo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-mineo/) > [“Jesus must have had man hands. He was a carpenter, the Bible tells us. I know a few carpenters, and they have great hands,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathleen-falsani/jesus-must-have-had-man-hands-he-was-a-carpenter-the-bible-tells-us-i/) [Cathleen Falsani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathleen-falsani/) > [I have learned that faith means trusting in advance what will make sense only in reverse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/i-have-learned-that-faith-means-trusting-in-advance-what-will-make/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [“With the weapons that God has made available to you, he expects you to capture and hold captive every thought and idea that comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro-okoro/with-the-weapons-that-god-has-made-available-to-you-he-expects-you-to/) [Pedro Okoro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro-okoro/) > [I learned that you have to have faith in the music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-anderson/i-learned-that-you-have-to-have-faith-in-the-music/) [Christine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-anderson/) > [I have learned to have more faith in the scientist than he does in himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sarnoff/i-have-learned-to-have-more-faith-in-the-scientist-than-he-does-in/) [David Sarnoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sarnoff/) > [“today, dwell on the miracle of the Transfiguration. Picture the scene in your mind. See Jesus in all of his glory. Let what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/today-dwell-on-the-miracle-of-the-transfiguration-picture-the-scene/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Nothing helps your partner keep his mind on Jesus more than having a sign of His love tanned on your primary erogenous zones.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-b-pruden/nothing-helps-your-partner-keep-his-mind-on-jesus-more-than-having-a/) Scott B. Pruden > [I learned that it is faith that decides whether something will happen or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaka/i-learned-that-it-is-faith-that-decides-whether-something-will-happen/) [Kaka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaka/) > [“You are free to change your mind this very moment and come to see the value of the teachings of the Course, for example…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/master-teacher/you-are-free-to-change-your-mind-this-very-moment-and-come-to-see-the/) Master Teacher > [I have learned that faith means trusting in advance what will only make sense in reverse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/i-have-learned-that-faith-means-trusting-in-advance-what-will-only/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [I was introduced to the church through my parents but I had to struggle and find it on my own. In the end I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-carter-cash/i-was-introduced-to-the-church-through-my-parents-but-i-had-to/) [John Carter Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-carter-cash/) ## More by Bob Goff > [I used to think I could shape the circumstances around me, but now I know Jesus uses circumstances to shape me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/i-used-to-think-i-could-shape-the-circumstances-around-me-but-now-i/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [Next to grace, I bet God thinks making us need each other was one of His best ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/next-to-grace-i-bet-god-thinks-making-us-need-each-other-was-one-of/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [The battle for our hearts is fought on the pages of our calendar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/the-battle-for-our-hearts-is-fought-on-the-pages-of-our-calendar/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [If we pick recognition over influence we'll be known for all the wrong stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/if-we-pick-recognition-over-influence-we-ll-be-known-for-all-the/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [“As I sit on my island, it becomes clears that we need to stop plotting the course and instead just land the plane on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/as-i-sit-on-my-island-it-becomes-clears-that-we-need-to-stop-plotting/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [“You become like the people you hang around, and to a great degree, you end up going wherever they’re headed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/you-become-like-the-people-you-hang-around-and-to-a-great-degree-you/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [The way we love people we disagree with is the best evidence of what we really believe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/the-way-we-love-people-we-disagree-with-is-the-best-evidence-of-what/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [No book is a chapter, no chapter tells the whole story, no mistake defines who we are. Hope makes our lives page turners.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/no-book-is-a-chapter-no-chapter-tells-the-whole-story-no-mistake/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [Every time we see people as ordinary, we turn the wine back into water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/every-time-we-see-people-as-ordinary-we-turn-the-wine-back-into-water/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [Faith isn't figuring out what we're able to do, it's deciding what we're going to do - even when we think we can't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/faith-isn-t-figuring-out-what-we-re-able-to-do-it-s-deciding-what-we/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [I'm trying to surround myself during my life with the eight people I'd surround my bed with on my death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/i-m-trying-to-surround-myself-during-my-life-with-the-eight-people-i/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [Most of our decisions are driven by either love or fear. Figure out who's doing the talking, then decide what you'll do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/most-of-our-decisions-are-driven-by-either-love-or-fear-figure-out/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [Jesus lets us be real with our life and our faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/jesus-lets-us-be-real-with-our-life-and-our-faith/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [I used to think being loved was the greatest thing to think about, but now I know love is never satisfied just thinking about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/i-used-to-think-being-loved-was-the-greatest-thing-to-think-about-but/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [Don't let uncertainty talk you into pursuing a backup plan instead of your purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/don-t-let-uncertainty-talk-you-into-pursuing-a-backup-plan-instead-of/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) [Explore all 277 Bob Goff quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) ## More Faith quotes > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Eternal Trinity... mystery deep as the sea, You could give me no greater gift than the gift of Yourself. For You are a fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-catherine-of-siena/eternal-trinity-mystery-deep-as-the-sea-you-could-give-me-no-greater/) [St. Catherine of Siena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-catherine-of-siena/) > [Keep the faith, and keep going strong!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doreen-virtue/keep-the-faith-and-keep-going-strong/) [Doreen Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doreen-virtue/) > [It’s so important to create in your own voice, to hold onto what makes you unique, and have faith in your vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/it-s-so-important-to-create-in-your-own-voice-to-hold-onto-what-makes/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [Faith gives you a certain structure and meaning to your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riffat-hassan/faith-gives-you-a-certain-structure-and-meaning-to-your-life/) Riffat Hassan > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [“No man is prejudiced in favour of a thing, knowing it to be wrong. He is attached to it on the belief of its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/no-man-is-prejudiced-in-favour-of-a-thing-knowing-it-to-be-wrong-he/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [Holiness sincerity, and faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/holiness-sincerity-and-faith/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [“The only limitations for your life are the limiting beliefs in your mind. —Matt Morris”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-morris-1/the-only-limitations-for-your-life-are-the-limiting-beliefs-in-your/) Matt Morris (1 > [“Just because your faith is shaken doesn’t mean the faith is shaken. The eternal truths of the Kingdom aren’t altered or affected by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-arthur/just-because-your-faith-is-shaken-doesn-t-mean-the-faith-is-shaken/) [Sarah Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-arthur/) > [Grit, determination, the right amount of crazy, self belief - everything it takes to be a champion. I have that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-poirier/grit-determination-the-right-amount-of-crazy-self-belief-everything/) [Dustin Poirier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-poirier/) > [We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/we-only-enter-into-the-full-life-if-our-faith-gives-thanks-because/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [Once you pull the trigger, you've got to throw balls aggressively and with conviction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-smith/once-you-pull-the-trigger-you-ve-got-to-throw-balls-aggressively-and/) [Alex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-smith/) [Browse all 37,796 Faith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I learned that faith isn’t about knowing all of the right stuff or obeying a list of rules. It’s something more, something more costly because it being present and making a sacrifice. 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