Dear James, Jeff, and Jason and the Many Who Follow Your Lead

To truly understand the teachings of Jesus, it is essential to know Him personally, as He is the embodiment of the Truth that liberates us from sin, death, and the limitations of our former selves, moving us towards the Fruit of the Spirit like love and freedom from the flesh. Shawn McCraney emphasizes that it's vital for believers to focus on knowing Jesus instead of being entangled in human traditions and divisive interpretations, which can lead to hostility rather than unity and love among Christians.

Growing in faith involves moving beyond mere tradition or scripture to embrace a deeper relationship with Jesus and the Spirit, which results in true freedom and maturity. This transformation manifests through the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—and if one's beliefs and actions do not align with these attributes, they are not aligned with the Truth and are instead driven by the flesh.