I’m Gonna Hold My Peace

It’s So Simply that it’s Not

Galatians chapter 5 is one of the easiest passages to digest when reading. It is very straightforward. The back end of the passage is quite possibly the easiest part of the easiest part. There’s no way you can mess up the instruction and identification between the fruit of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. There are, however, far reaching implications of what happens when we don’t adhere to these principles, leaving us to deal with issues running rampant in our social systems, church circles, and society on the whole. It’s about time that people begin addressing it. I’m happy to be a part of the folks that does. Where do we begin??

Believe it or not, It’s the same for us today. Whether it’s the comfort of tradition, the desire to please people, or the fear of getting it wrong, we’re often tempted to retreat to rules instead of relying on relationship. But when God calls us out of bondage, He never intends for us to return. What once held us captive has no authority in the new life God has called us to live. Never forget how horrible Egypt truly was!

Emotions Aren’t Enemies

Ahh yes…with emotions. These are things that God implanted in us as part of our creation process. Lemme be clear. This was no accident and God doesn’t make mistakes.  He didn’t wire us with feelings that He expected us to suppress. Emotions in and of themselves aren’t bad, but unprocessed emotions are dangerous and this is where our issues begin.

We live in a world that encourages avoiding processing emotions. The problem is not having feelings; it’s not knowing what to do with them. This happens for a variety of reasons, but what it usually boils down to is we comply with the lie that we need to abide in a system of social codes…given to us by mere mortals that did not create us, and ultimately deny the very good thing that God, our actual creator, gifted to us. You will never be able to make that make sense to me. Thankfully, that’s where the Holy Spirit steps in. Jesus Himself felt allll the things: anger at the Pharisees. Anger at the disciples! Sadness at the loss of His friend Lazarus. Angst and anguish in the garden of Gethsemane! And yet somehow, despite all of this, He was able to do something we would think impossible, miraculous in our current culture: He was able to hold His peace. Peace is a fruit of the Spirit. And in this discovery, we suffocate the misinformation that emotions and the fruit of the Spirit can’t live in the same house. They most certainly can. You can feel rage and still be ruled by peace. You can be heartbroken and still exude joy. You can be anxious and still act out love. That’s the paradox the world doesn’t understand. But that’s the power of walking in the Spirit.

The Fruit Is the Focus

It’s easy to fixate on sin—trying not to do “the wrong thing,” trying to avoid the temptation—but Galatians makes something clear: our attention shouldn't be on sin management but on fruit cultivation. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—this is the harvest we’re after.

And how do we grow it? By keeping our focus on Jesus. When we focus on God, eventually discover that other things simply don’t seem to matter. We can detach from needs and desires we find in approval from others, accolades not attached to our purpose, and yes…even desires of the flesh. Also, and equally as important, when we focus on Him we tend to our soul. Doing that, in practice, means solitude. It means meditation (I know. I’m speaking French to many with this. I apologize on behalf of any pastor that didn’t emphasize that for you…I said what I said.).It means silence. It means deep prayer. These practices water the soil of our hearts. And when the storms of life come—when anger flares, when injustice breaks your heart, when anxiety swells—you respond not from your flesh, but from the fruit you've been faithfully growing. That’s when peace holds you, even in chaos. Just like Jesus, who frequently withdrew from all just to spend time with God and tend to His soul.

Compassion That Can’t Be Contained

The world doesn’t need more opinions—it needs compassion. Real, Spirit-led compassion that isn’t reactive but redemptive. That’s what Jesus showed us. Every time He looked at the crowd, He didn’t see problems. He saw people. And His peace wasn’t passive—it moved Him to heal, to feed, to restore. If we’re truly walking in the Spirit, we won’t just feel compassion, we’ll act on it. But here’s the secret: you can’t give what you don’t have. Many in our culture, believers included, suffer from compassion fatigue. They’re simply too exhausted to care…or so they think. That’s why love, joy, PEACE…that’s why working to submit our emotions to/place them under all of the Fruit matters. When you’re grounded in God’s shalom—His wholeness—you’ll naturally overflow into the lives of others. You’ll hold your peace, not just to keep calm, but to be a vessel of restoration in a broken world.

Be one who decides every day that you’re gonna hold your peace.

One Love,
JRNB

— Jordan Brown

Pastor (Ministries and Outreach) [OV] Church

One Size Fits All Pt. 2: Fit Check

The Temptation to Turn Back

There’s a strange magnetism to the past—especially when the present feels uncertain. Even after freedom has been given, many still feel the pull to return to old systems, old patterns, and even old chains. The people of Galatia were no different. They had been liberated from empty rituals and powerless gods, yet they began slipping back into religious systems that promised control but offered no real power.

If you read our Bible, then you also know this is t the first time that we’ve seen this. The Galatians are a type of Israel. Think about it. Israel witnessed the amazing miracle of salvation (you’ll pick up that comparison in the way out :-) ), crossed through dry land in what was supposed to be the WATERS of the Red Sea, and yet three days into their journey they encounter situations that are nowhere near as harsh as the worst persecution and IMMEDIATELY they wanna go back. Thanks to sound, prophetic leadership and about 40 years (which should’ve technically been 11 days but who’s counting?) they’re finally able to make it to their promised land. And Paul, being like Moses, sees Galatia headed in the same direction and doesn’t want that for them. At all.

Believe it or not, It’s the same for us today. Whether it’s the comfort of tradition, the desire to please people, or the fear of getting it wrong, we’re often tempted to retreat to rules instead of relying on relationship. But when God calls us out of bondage, He never intends for us to return. What once held us captive has no authority in the new life God has called us to live. Never forget how horrible Egypt truly was!

Legalism Is Not Loyalty

Here’s the hard truth: when we add man-made rules back into what Christ has already made complete, we’re not honoring God—we’re replacing Him with something. In a word: legalism. Legalism is an abuse of morality, and if left unchecked this can, and will, graduate into idolatry. It elevates the law above the Lawgiver,  disguised as holiness, creating a counterfeit version of the gospel that robs people of joy and freedom.

Paul's words cut through the noise: there is no condemnation in Christ because He did what the law could never do—He freed us from sin's grip. So why cling to something that was never designed to save us? Obedience, when rooted in love and fueled by grace, is not legalism. It’s life. As C.S. Lewis said, “Obedience isn’t legalism; it is a symptom of salvation.”

False Voices, Fragile Faith

Paul’s heart breaks for the Galatians—not just because they’re misled, but because they once welcomed the truth with open arms. They cared for him like he was an angel. What changed? The answer: false teachers with bad intentions masked as spiritual passion. Pride, ego, and insecurity caused them to distort the gospel and discredit Paul.

This happens far too often in our own churches. What begins as a desire to protect the faith can morph into gatekeeping, manipulation, and exclusion. We must be careful not to confuse passion for the gospel with control over it. God doesn’t need our help to preserve His truth—He just asks for our obedience. Anything less becomes a distraction. Anything more becomes a distortion.

Freedom, Not Factions

The story of Abraham’s two sons—Isaac and Ishmael—isn’t just a history lesson. It’s a spiritual mirror. One son was born out of human effort, the other out of divine promise. One represents bondage to law, the other freedom through faith. The message is clear: get rid of what enslaves you. You weren’t made for captivity. It has to go. Bye bye.

The church’s greatest threat isn’t cultural pressure from the outside—it’s when we allow fear and self-righteousness to fracture us from within. Real unity doesn’t come from everyone agreeing on every doctrine; it comes from honoring the Lord above all else. Romans 14 reminds us that we will each give account to God—not to each other—and our aim should be harmony, not hierarchy.

So here’s your fit check: Are you clothed in rules, or are you covered in grace? Because only one of those outfits was tailored by God Himself.

One Love,
JRNB

— Jordan Brown

Pastor (Ministries and Outreach) [OV] Church

The Radiant Love That Transforms

Growing up, my brother and I had one burning desire: to own a vehicle. We worked tirelessly from a young age, pooling our resources to achieve this dream. Finally, the day arrived, and we had our very own truck.

To us, the truck was amazing with a shiny finish, loud radio, and big tires. It made us feel on top of the world.

Yet, as I reflect on this memory, I realize that the truck wasn’t actually shiny and new. It wasn’t that desirable at all. The true value of the truck was not in its physical attributes but in the love and effort we poured into obtaining it. This story beautifully illustrates the two types of love we encounter in life: a love that values what is already deemed valuable and a love that imparts value to what it cherishes.

The Essence of Divine Love

Understanding the love of God is a profound endeavor. It's not merely about the affection we express or receive in human relationships. God's love transcends human understanding; it is a divine attribute that exudes from His very being. When the scriptures declare, "God is love," they emphasize that love is not just an action or feeling from God but an essential part of His nature. This divine love is not a logical tautology, equating love with God, nor is it merely an emphasis on God's loving nature. Instead, it is a fountain from which all genuine love flows. Just as water from a fountain spreads and nourishes everything around it, so does God's love emanate from Him, reaching and transforming all it touches.

Manifestation of Divine Love

The supreme manifestation of God's love is found in the sending of His only Son, Jesus Christ, into the world. This love was not because we were worthy or valuable, but because God chose to love us. In our unworthiness and sin, God's active love was demonstrated through Christ's sacrificial death, making us valuable and restoring our relationship with Him. Unlike human love, which is often passive and reactive, God's love is proactive and transformative. It seeks out the undeserving and imparts worth and dignity to them. This divine love is a gift that changes lives, not based on our merit but on God's gracious choice.

Active Love in Action

God's love is not a passive feeling but an active force. It moves from the heart to the hands and feet, demonstrating love through action. Jesus' life and ministry exemplify this active love. He didn't merely feel compassion; He acted on it, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and comforting the broken-hearted. This kind of love challenges us to move beyond mere feelings and into tangible expressions of care and kindness. The story of the Good Samaritan illustrates this beautifully, contrasting the passive neglect of the priest and Levite with the active compassion of the Samaritan. True love, as modeled by Jesus, compels us to act, to reach out, and to make a difference in the lives of others.

The Power of Unconditional Love

John’s transformation from a brash "Son of Thunder" to the beloved disciple speaks volumes about the power of God's love. His story is a testament to the fact that God’s love can reshape even the most unlikely of individuals. This love, unlike human affection, doesn’t wait for us to become worthy; it makes us worthy. It’s a love that reaches out to us in our brokenness and transforms us from the inside out. If you’ve ever felt unworthy or questioned your value, understand this: God's love for you is unconditional. It isn’t based on your achievements, your looks, or your ability to maintain a perfect image. It’s rooted in His nature, a divine love that chooses to value and cherish you, flaws and all. God’s love is a gift that renews and restores. It’s not just a concept to understand but a reality to live out. Embrace it fully, let it redefine your sense of self-worth, and share it generously with those around you. In doing so, you become a living testament to the power of God’s unconditional love.

— Nic lombardi

President - [Multiply]Family of Churches

The Danger of False Teachings

Every day, we are constantly bombarded with information and advice from all directions. It's easy to fall prey to bad advice, but there's an even more dangerous threat lurking: false teachings. These aren't just misguided opinions—they are harmful deceptions designed to lead us astray. Understanding how to identify and resist these false teachings is crucial for maintaining a strong, authentic faith.

Recognizing False Teachers

False teachers are not a new phenomenon. Even in the early days of Christianity, they posed a significant threat to the church. These individuals spread teachings that directly contradicted the true gospel, leading many believers astray. The apostle John warned his followers to be vigilant: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1). In today's digital age, the voices of false teachers are amplified through social media and other platforms. It's essential to test everything we hear against the truth of Scripture. Not everyone who claims to be a Christian truly is, and not every message that sounds spiritual comes from God.

The Litmus Test of True Teaching

So, how do we discern true teaching from false? John provides a clear test: "By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God" (1 John 4:2-3). The core of Christian belief is the divinity of Jesus Christ. Any teaching that denies this fundamental truth is false. This distinction is crucial because it separates authentic Christianity from other belief systems that may acknowledge Jesus but do not accept His divine nature. For instance, groups like Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses have different views on Jesus that do not align with the biblical portrayal of Him as God incarnate.

The Power of the Holy Spirit

False teachings can be intimidating, but we are not left defenseless. John reminds us that "he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). As believers, we have the Holy Spirit within us, guiding us into all truth and helping us to overcome deception. This assurance gives us confidence. We don't rely on our own strength or wisdom to discern truth from falsehood; we depend on the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit not only helps us recognize false teachings but also empowers us to live out our faith authentically.

Living in the Light of Truth

Knowing that false teachers are out there and understanding how to identify them is only the beginning. Our daily lives should reflect our commitment to the truth. This means spending regular time in prayer and studying Scripture, which helps us deepen our relationship with Jesus and fortify our understanding of His teachings. Additionally, being part of a community of believers provides support and accountability. We can learn from each other, share insights, and encourage one another to stay true to the gospel. Engaging with true teachers and avoiding those who promote false doctrines is vital for maintaining spiritual health. In a world full of deceptive voices, it’s essential to surround ourselves with those who speak the truth in love.

Anchoring Ourselves in Truth

In the end, resisting false teachings is about more than just intellectual discernment; it’s about fostering a vibrant, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. By anchoring ourselves in the truth of His word and relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can navigate the complexities of our world without being led astray. Let’s commit to knowing Jesus deeply and living out His truth boldly, confident that He who is in us is greater than any false teacher we might encounter.

— Louis Fischer

Church Planting Resident - [Multiply]Family of Churches