Life, Sin, Promise, Law, Faith, Life

The Heavy Weight of the Law

For centuries, the Law of Moses stood as the standard of righteousness, revealing what it meant to be holy before God. It showed the requirements of a perfect and holy God, but there was a problem—no one could fully keep it. The Law, while good, became a burden, a constant reminder of our shortcomings. Imagine trying to follow every rule to the letter, knowing that even one slip would place you under a curse. Paul warned that anyone who sought righteousness through the Law had to uphold every part of it, or they were condemned (Galatians 3:10). The weight was unbearable. But that weight was never meant to be carried forever. It was designed to point us to something greater.

Christ Became the Curse for Us

Instead of leaving us under the curse of the Law, God provided the ultimate solution—Jesus. Christ didn’t just take away the curse; He became the curse for us (Galatians 3:13). His death on the cross wasn’t just an act of sacrifice; it was a legal exchange. The punishment that was meant for us fell on Him. His perfect life met the requirements of the Law, and His death satisfied its penalty. Because of this, we are no longer bound by the impossible task of earning righteousness. We are freed to live under the promise of faith, just as Abraham was counted as righteous not by works, but by belief (Galatians 3:6). The chains of legalism were broken, and faith became the new standard for relationship with God.

From Slaves to Sons

Paul described two major eras—one of bondage under the Law and one of freedom in Christ. Before Jesus, the Law acted as a guardian, keeping people in check until the time of faith arrived (Galatians 3:24). But now that faith has come, we are no longer under that guardian. We’ve moved from slaves trying to prove ourselves to sons and daughters fully accepted by God (Galatians 3:26). This new identity isn’t based on performance, background, or status. It’s based solely on our connection to Christ. In Him, there is no division between Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female—we are all one (Galatians 3:28).

A Call to Live in Freedom

If we have been freed by faith, the next step is to live in that freedom. The Law once kept us trapped, striving and failing, but now we walk in the Spirit. Faith in Christ isn’t just about believing a doctrine; it’s about stepping into a transformed life. Sitting still is not an option. The call is to go—to grow in faith, to build community, to serve, to give, and to share this message of freedom with the world. Just as Jesus commanded His followers to make disciples and baptize them (Matthew 28:18-20), we too are called to take action. True freedom isn’t about doing nothing—it’s about walking boldly in the life Christ has won for us.

— AARON DININNY

[Multiply] Executive Director

The Vision of Faith

A Battle for the Truth

Since the beginning of time, there has been a battle raging—one that is not fought with swords or armies but in the hearts and minds of people. It started in the garden and has continued through every generation. The enemy’s greatest weapon? Deception. And one of his most effective lies is convincing people that salvation must be earned. This was the very trap that the Galatian church fell into, believing that faith in Christ wasn’t enough—that they also needed to uphold the works of the law to be right with God. But Paul didn’t hold back. He called them foolish, not because they lacked intelligence, but because they had abandoned the truth they once knew. The same battle still rages today. Will we trust in the finished work of Christ, or will we fall for the lie that we must prove ourselves worthy?

The Power of True Faith

The message of the gospel is simple but profound: we are justified by faith alone. Nothing we do—no act of service, no religious ritual—can add to what Christ has already accomplished. Paul challenged the Galatians in chapter three with four rhetorical questions to drive this point home. How did they receive the Spirit? By faith. How were they being transformed? By the Spirit’s work, not their own effort. Their salvation wasn’t something they earned; it was something they received. Yet, how often do we fall into the same trap? We equate our standing with God to how much we do rather than who we trust. But faith is not a feeling or a fleeting emotion—it is a firm confidence in the promises of God, a trust that shapes our lives and changes our actions.

The Legacy of Abraham

To reinforce the truth, Paul pointed the Galatians back to Abraham. Long before the law was given, Abraham was declared righteous—not because of his works, but because of his faith. He believed God’s promises, even when they seemed impossible. And that kind of faith—trusting fully in God’s word—is what makes us his spiritual children. The beauty of the gospel is that this promise extends beyond one nation or one people group. From the very beginning, God’s plan was to bless all nations through faith. We are part of that promise, and our call is clear: to walk in faith and to share this message with the world.

Holding Firm to the Gospel

In a world filled with shifting opinions and so-called enlightened perspectives, we must guard the truth of the gospel. Paul warned the Galatians that they had been "bewitched"—led astray by a message that sounded good but was ultimately false. Today, we face the same danger. Culture tells us that truth is relative, that faith is outdated, that we need to "earn" our worth. But God’s word stands unshaken. When we root ourselves in Scripture, we hear His voice clearly. When we cling to the message of the cross, we walk in true freedom. Salvation is not about what we can do—it’s about what Christ has done. Our response? Faith that stands firm.

— AARON DININNY

[Multiply] Executive Director

The Position of Faith

The Power of the True Gospel

The gospel is not just another message—it is the story that changes everything. From creation to restoration, this story has the power to bring life from death. But here’s the truth: at our core, we resist it. We want to believe that we can earn our way to God, that our efforts and good deeds will make us acceptable. This is exactly what happened in the early church. Some tried to add rules and rituals to the gospel, thinking Jesus wasn’t enough.

Paul wouldn’t stand for it. He made it clear: there is only one gospel. No system, no effort, no personal achievement can make us right with God. Only faith in Christ can. And yet, even today, people struggle with the same temptation—to trust in their own efforts rather than the finished work of Jesus.

The Danger of Playing It Safe

It’s one thing to know the truth; it’s another to stand by it when it’s inconvenient. Even Peter, one of Jesus' closest followers, slipped up. Out of fear, he pulled away from eating with Gentiles because of Jewish customs. His actions spoke louder than his beliefs, and Paul called him out for it.

What about us? Do we shrink back when culture, fear, or peer pressure make it hard to stand for the gospel? It’s easy to let fear drive our decisions, to go along with what’s comfortable instead of holding fast to the truth. But when we do that, we don’t just affect ourselves—we risk leading others astray. Like Paul, we need the courage to live out the gospel boldly, even when it’s unpopular.

Justified by Faith, Not by Works

Paul’s confrontation with Peter launched one of the most powerful truths in all of Scripture: justification by faith alone. This is the core of the gospel—God declares us righteous, not because of what we do, but because of what Jesus has done. The law was never meant to save; it was meant to show us our need for a Savior.

The world tells us to prove ourselves. Work harder, be better, earn your place. But the gospel tells a different story. It says that Jesus did the work we could never do. It tells us to stop striving and start trusting. If we could earn righteousness through our own effort, then Christ’s sacrifice would be pointless. But because we can’t, His grace is everything.

A Life That’s Truly Alive

Paul says, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” This is the great exchange—our old life of sin and striving is gone, and now we live by faith in the One who gave Himself for us. This isn’t just about eternity; it’s about today. A life of faith is a life of freedom, peace, and joy.

So why do we still carry guilt? Why do we still try to earn what has already been given? When we truly grasp what it means to be justified by faith, everything changes. We stop performing for God’s approval because we already have it in Christ. We stop living in fear and start living in the confidence of His love.

This is what it means to live by faith. This is what it means to be truly alive.

— AARON DININNY

[Multiply] Executive Director

I Got a TESTimony Pt. 2

Every story of faith has a test. Paul’s journey wasn’t smooth—he spent fourteen years being shaped before stepping fully into his calling. The Gospel message he preached was not one he sought approval for from man; it was something God placed in him. But even then, challenges arose. There were those who tried to impose their own religious traditions on his ministry. He stood firm, refusing to let anything compromise the truth of the gospel.

Your testimony, too, will be tested. Opposition will come—some will doubt you, others will question whether you’re qualified. But your calling isn’t based on human validation; it’s rooted in God’s purpose for you. If you find yourself questioning your own journey, remember Paul’s example: Stay the course. The test is part of the testimony.

However, in saying this, I think it's necessary…imperative even to consider that the test in our testimony might also be in the lesson that we take from Peter in Gal. 2. Why is it that he even needs to be mentioned in this passage? Why is what he did so important that we need to highlight it? What does it mean for us and the possible test in our testimony? Buckle up.

When Hypocrisy Creeps In

Paul had to confront Peter—a fellow leader, a fellow believer—because he wavered under pressure. Peter, who was filled with the spirit and a (if not thee) key spiritual leader responsible for birthing and building God’s Church after Jesus ascended, had been advocating for the cause of the Gentiles being grafted into the family of believers. We see this in a variety of stories in the narrative from Acts 10 through Acts 15. Keep in mind, all of this is with his people in Jerusalem, the epicenter of Jewish faith in Jesus. Then, while in Galatia, he is boldly eating and fellowshipping with Gentile believers in a very…very Gentile land. However, when certain Jewish Christians arrived he suddenly withdrew out of fear of criticism. His actions weren’t just personal; they led others, even Barnabas, into the same hypocrisy which is wild.

How often do we allow the fear of what others think to dictate our actions? Do we adjust our faith based on who’s watching (if you can’t say amen, say ouch)? The truth is, when we compromise for the sake of approval, we risk leading others astray (yes, you can say ouch some more :-)). The world is watching—not to see if we are perfect, but to see if we are real. A true testimony isn’t about appearing flawless; it’s about standing firm in truth, even when it's uncomfortable.

Everyone Has a Role to Play

Paul and Peter had different assignments. Paul was called to preach to the Gentiles, Peter to the Jews. Their missions were distinct, but both were essential to God’s plan and equally as important. We must recognize that everyone in the body of Christ has a unique, purpose-filled assignment. Just because someone’s journey looks different from ours doesn’t mean it’s less important. Instead of tearing one another down over differences, we should honor each other’s God-given assignments. Unity isn’t about sameness—it’s about mission. When we embrace that, we move forward together.

The Power of Restoration

The beauty of Peter’s story is that failure wasn’t the end. He had messed up before—denying Jesus three times, struggling with doubt—but God’s grace remained. Paul’s confrontation in Galatians 2 wasn’t meant to condemn Peter, but to restore him to the truth of the gospel. What we need to remember here is the reason why Paul was able to do this is because he saw himself in Peter: one who committed atrocities against the Church…except his looked a little different. Through these two, we see that persecution can look like killing those building God’s Church, and it can also look like excluding those whom God has included and leading others into the same deception; a different type of death. And Peter, despite his mistakes, realized this, repented, and continued in his calling.

Your testimony isn’t about perfection; it’s about redemption. Maybe you’ve fallen short, maybe you’ve struggled with hypocrisy, maybe fear has held you back. But God’s love restores. The question isn’t whether you’re tarnished—it’s what you do after the tarnish is revealed. Will you hide, or will you allow God to shape your story into one that reflects His grace?

— Jordan Brown

Pastor (Ministries and Outreach) [OV] Church

I Got a TESTimony

I genuinely can say that I can recall a me that I don’t even know anymore. I’m sure we all do, but yeah…if we’ve been found by Jesus and navigated the waters of becoming more Christlike then we can all admit that we probably wouldn’t recognize our past selves…at all.

This is because, simply put, some stories can only be written by God. Take a moment and think about where you were before Christ found you—before His grace changed your heart, before His truth reordered your life. The beauty of the gospel is that it does not require us to clean ourselves up before approaching God. No, it is God who does the cleaning, the transforming, and the restoring.

Paul’s story is proof of this. Once a man who hunted down Christians with relentless zeal, he became the very thing he despised—a preacher of the gospel. How does something like that happen? Simple: God’s grace is greater than any past, more powerful than any sin, and capable of turning even the hardest heart into a testimony of His love. Paul didn’t just change his mind; his entire being was made new. That’s the kind of transformation only God can do.

A Testimony That Speaks for Itself

True change doesn’t need a public relations campaign. When God does something real in your life, people will see it. Paul didn’t have to announce that he was a different man. The people around him could see it. The same Paul who once persecuted the church was now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy. That’s the kind of testimony that makes people stop and say, “Only God.”

And here’s the thing—your testimony is supposed to do the same. It doesn’t have to be dramatic to be powerful. The question is not how flashy your transformation is, but whether it’s real. Does your life reflect the undeniable work of God? Can people look at you and see that something is different? If so, your testimony is already doing the work of pointing others to Christ. If not, maybe it’s time to ask: What has Christ done in me that I haven’t acknowledged?

Called for a Greater Purpose

Salvation is not the end of the story—it’s the beginning. Many people rejoice in being saved but never ask, “What was I saved for?” Paul didn’t just receive salvation; he received an assignment. He understood that the grace that saved him was the same grace that sent him.

God’s call on your life is not a suggestion. He didn’t redeem you so that you could return to life as usual. There is a work to be done—a Kingdom to build, a mission to fulfill. You don’t need anyone else’s permission to walk in the purpose God has set before you. Paul didn’t consult with others to validate his calling; he simply obeyed. The same is true for you. If God has called you, step forward. Walk in the work He has prepared for you.

The Power of a Life Redeemed

Paul’s testimony wasn’t just for him—it was for those who would witness it. A genuine encounter with Jesus always results in a testimony that points back to Him. And when people see the power of Christ at work in someone’s life, they have only two choices: to deny it or to glorify God because of it.

Your testimony is not just about you. It’s about what God is doing through you. And that’s why you can’t afford to keep quiet about it. Share your story. Let the world see the evidence of God’s goodness in your life. Because when all is said and done, one thing will remain true: God has written a story worth telling.

— Jordan Brown

Pastor (Ministries and Outreach) [OV] Church

No Other Gospel

The Power of the Story

Some stories stick with us. They move our hearts, shape our minds, and even change the way we see the world. But there is only one story that stands above them all—the gospel. It is not just another inspiring tale or a set of principles to follow. It is the message that brings life to the dead.

From the moment we are born, the countdown begins. Life is fleeting, and our bodies remind us daily that we are heading toward an end. But the good news, the message of Jesus Christ is that there is a rescue, a way to move from death to life. This message is simple, yet it is deeper than we could ever grasp. It is clear, yet endlessly profound. The gospel is the only truth that answers our greatest need. We are dead in spirit, in need of eternal rescue.

A Battle for the Truth

The problem is, we often resist the very thing that can save us. We naturally reject, run from, or reshape the gospel to fit our own ideas. This is exactly what happened in the early church. The Galatians, once captivated by the message of Jesus, had quickly turned to another way of thinking. Instead of trusting fully in grace, they were being led to believe they had to add something extra—traditions, rituals, or works—to be right with God.

This is not just an ancient issue. Today, many fall into the same trap. It may not be circumcision or Jewish law, but people still try to mix Jesus with something else—self-effort, religious performance, or cultural philosophies. Yet Paul’s words remain as true now as they were then: Any message that adds to the gospel is no gospel at all. The work is already finished. There is nothing we can add to what Jesus has done.

The Freedom of Grace

One of the greatest struggles for believers is truly resting in grace. It is easy to drift into legalism, thinking that our standing with God depends on how well we perform. But the gospel is not about striving—it is about trusting.

When we live as if our sanctification (our process of growing in faith) determines our justification (our right standing before God), we have reversed the truth. We are not saved by what we do; we are saved by what Christ has done. If we believe only the parts of the gospel that make sense to us and reject the rest, we are not truly trusting in Jesus—we are trusting in ourselves. But the gospel is one of one. It is grace from beginning to end.

Stand Firm in the True Gospel

Paul’s words to the Galatians serve as a wake-up call: Do not trade the robes of righteousness for rags. Do not exchange the truth for a lie. Even when culture, tradition, or personal doubts try to shake us, we must stand firm in the only message that saves.

The world will always offer distractions, new philosophies, and alternative paths. But the gospel remains unchanged. It is the power of God for salvation, the only way to true peace. So stop striving. Lay your burdens down. And believe, fully and completely, in Christ alone.

— AARON DININNY

[Multiply] Executive Director