Our view of God is often shaped by our experiences with our earthly fathers, creating a lens through which we see Him, sometimes clear, sometimes distorted. Spiritual maturity involves looking beyond this lens to see God as He truly is. In 1 John 2:13-17, believers are categorized into three groups: spiritually mature 'fathers' who have walked with God for years and gained perspective through experience; spiritually growing 'young men' who are strong in God's Word and actively battling evil; and spiritually newborn 'children' who are just beginning their journey but know the Father. John emphasizes that we fight spiritual battles from a position of victory, not struggling to achieve it. Christ has already secured the win, allowing us to face challenges with confidence. However, we must guard against worldly temptations that gradually pull us away from God. Satan rarely tempts mature Christians with obvious sin, instead using seemingly innocent things to slowly compromise our devotion. While God's standards may seem impossible to meet through human strength alone, nothing is impossible with God. By keeping our eyes on what lasts eternally rather than temporary worldly things, we invest in what truly matters—our relationships, legacy, and faithfulness that bear fruit for eternity.

Our mission is to multiply God’s Kingdom through being and making disciples everywhere.
Be. Make. Multiply.

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The journey to understanding salvation starts with acknowledging a profound truth - humanity's fundamental brokenness and separation from God due to inherited sinful nature. This condition affects everyone, regardless of outward appearances or good deeds, making us completely dependent on God's mercy for restoration. God's solution to this universal problem came through Jesus Christ, offering salvation as a gift received through faith rather than earned through works. When someone accepts this gift, the Holy Spirit takes residence within them, empowering them for godly living and effective witness. This transformation enables believers to share their faith authentically, knowing that while they are called to be witnesses, it is God who ultimately draws people to Himself. True repentance involves more than surface-level changes or apologies - it requires acknowledging our broken nature, turning from our own ways, and placing complete trust in God's mercy. This process leads to genuine transformation as the Holy Spirit works within believers, guiding them into truth and enabling them to be effective witnesses of God's power.

Our mission is to multiply God’s Kingdom through being and making disciples everywhere.
Be. Make. Multiply.

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Being an effective witness for Christ encompasses both verbal testimony and lived experience, much like an eyewitness in court testifies to what they've observed. This dual approach involves sharing the truth found in Scripture while also demonstrating how God has transformed one's personal life. The gospel message at the heart of this witness is simple yet profound: humanity's fall into sin, Christ's redemptive sacrifice, and the gift of salvation available to all who believe. Effective witness doesn't require extensive theological knowledge or perfect answers to every question. Instead, it demands authentic Christian living that consistently points to Jesus, a willingness to share personal experiences with God, and demonstrating Christ's love through practical actions. Most people come to faith through the witness of others, making it crucial for believers to actively share their faith through both lifestyle and intentional conversations.

Our mission is to multiply God’s Kingdom through being and making disciples everywhere.
Be. Make. Multiply.

multiplypeople.com