Based on the message:

As we settle into a new year, the echoes of “Happy New Year” are still fresh in our minds. We’ve made our resolutions—lose weight, read more, eat healthier—all in pursuit of happiness. But there’s a more reliable path to lasting joy than any diet or exercise plan: growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Peter’s final recorded words in Scripture give us a clear command: “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). This isn’t a suggestion—it’s God’s design for every believer. The Christian life, at its core, is about becoming more like Jesus so that others would recognize us as having been with Him.

The Danger We Must Avoid

The writer of Hebrews addresses a troubling reality: many believers, who should have matured by now, had remained spiritual infants. “By this time you ought to be teachers,” he writes, “but you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!” (Hebrews 5:12). Every Christian starts as a spiritual baby, and that’s perfectly normal. But staying a baby? That’s a problem. Just as we expect physical children to grow, God expects His children to mature spiritually. The issue isn’t starting small—it’s refusing to grow.

The culprit is often our flesh: that old nature inherited from Adam that wants control, that resists discipline, that grows lazy. We become “dull of hearing,” no longer excited about God’s Word or time in His presence. The initial fire that burned bright when we first came to faith can dim into complacency. This spiritual laziness has real consequences. Without growth, we lack discernment. We can’t distinguish between good and evil in our decisions—whether at the ballot box, in our relationships, or in daily choices that shape our lives. As we begin to grow stagnant in our faith, we are in danger of being “tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14).

The Practice That Produces Progress

Here’s the encouraging truth: spiritual maturity comes through practice. Hebrews 5:14 tells us that “solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” Notice that word—practice. Habit. Consistent use. Practice doesn’t make perfect in the Christian life (none of us will achieve perfection this side of heaven), but practice makes progress. So how do we practice with the Lord?

First, spend time in God’s Word. This isn’t about impressive knowledge for its own sake. It’s about sitting at Jesus’s feet like Mary, listening to His words while the world rushes around us like Martha. “He who gives attention to the word will find good” (Proverbs 16:20). Whether you read through the Bible in a year or dig deep into smaller passages, the key is consistency and engagement.

Second, apply what you read. James warns against being “a forgetful hearer” instead of “an effectual doer” (James 1:25). Jesus said, “If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them” (John 13:17). You can know everything about generosity without experiencing its joy until you actually give. You can study prayer without knowing God’s power until you actually pray. Bible study gives you knowledge of God, but obedience enables you to know God.

Third, be honest with God. The Greek word for “trained” in Hebrews 5:14 comes from the root meaning “naked”—the way Greek athletes competed. We must come before God stripped of pretense, vulnerable and real. Don’t fake it. Pour out your heart—your struggles, your sins, your pain, your confusion. Honesty produces vulnerability, and vulnerability produces spiritual growth. God works in honest hearts.

Finally, be active in a solid church. Not just a member, but active. Connect with a small group where people know you, see you, and can encourage your growth. We need fellowship and accountability. We need the body of Christ.

Starting Today

As we begin this new year, let’s commit to more than temporal resolutions. Let’s commit to spiritual growth. Whether you’re a new believer or you’ve walked with Jesus for decades, the command remains: grow in grace and knowledge. If you’ve become lazy in your spiritual life, today is your turnaround day. If you’ve been coasting on past experiences, it’s time to press forward. God doesn’t want you stuck as a spiritual infant when you could be maturing into someone who displays His character and wisdom.

This year, make practice your priority. Not perfection—progress. And as you do, you’ll discover something better than any New Year’s resolution could deliver: a deeper, richer, more vibrant relationship with the God who loves you and calls you to grow in Him.