I hope you survived the holiday season and are encouraged by our Lord! Christmas is always a special time, and I have many fond memories from childhood. Right after we opened our gifts on Christmas morning, I used to think we were the farthest we could be from next Christmas—a whole year away! This thought was discouraging to me. Of course, I was only thinking of the presents. But I don’t feel like that anymore.

While I love Christmas, I’m always glad when it’s over. I enjoy the start of a new year as much as the holidays. Angie and I have birthdays right around the New Year, and Grace Bible Church was planted in January 2017. This time of year brings me a sense of renewal and reflection.

As the New Year begins, I take the opportunity to assess where I’m at—both in my personal life and in my ministry. I don’t do New Year’s resolutions. Honestly, I think I would break them by the middle of January! But what I find helpful is taking this time to evaluate my heart toward worshiping the Lord and consider any course adjustments I need to make in my life, family, and ministry.

As I’ve been reflecting on this past year and looking ahead to the coming one, I’ve realized that we, as a church, need to grow in our understanding of what life in the body of Christ truly means. That’s why we will focus on loving one another well for our upcoming winter retreat. I pray that we will mature in Christ, growing deeper in our love for Him and each other.

The Apostle Paul talks about this maturity in Ephesians 4, where he writes:

Ephesians 4:14–15 (LSB):
"so that we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming, but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is Christ."

I’ve been wrestling with doctrine's role in this growth process. I firmly believe that having "right doctrine" leads to "right living." It breaks my heart to see people clinging to false doctrines because false doctrines bring so much pain and discouragement. They give people false hope, and when that hope inevitably fails, it leads to confusion, despair, and even condemnation.

Jude gives us a sobering warning in his letter:

Jude 4 (LSB):
"For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ."

This is why Paul’s instruction in Ephesians 4 is so crucial. We are no longer to be children in our faith, tossed about by false doctrines. Instead, we are to grow in maturity by deepening our understanding of biblical truth. Christ Himself has given us teachers to equip us for this very purpose:

Ephesians 4:11–12 (LSB):
"And He Himself gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ."

We grow mature through a deeper knowledge and more profound understanding of God’s Word. I pray that as we enter this new year, we will renew our love for the truth, our love for Christ and His church will abound, and this love will overflow in our fellowship and worship.

As we progress as individuals and as the church, let’s strive to grow up in every aspect into Christ, the One who is our head. Let’s commit ourselves to sound doctrine and maturity that reflects His love and truth in everything we do.

May the Lord richly bless you as we grow together in Him!