In divine Science progress is the unfoldment of the ideas of divine Mind; it is therefore both spiritual and eternal. Progress, then, can never be measured in terms of materiality. It is never in or of matter, nor is it dependent upon material conditions. The law of God is the law of unbroken unfoldment. In "Miscellaneous Writings" Mary Baker Eddy says (p. 82), "In obedience to this law, man is forever unfolding the endless beatitudes of Being; for he is the image and likeness of infinite Life, Truth, and Love." Material laws, so called, do not affect man's absolute progress. Mortal mind can never interfere with the progress of man, for his life is in God, entirely separate from all false beliefs.
Humanity is inclined to judge progress by material conditions, such as position, income, or possessions. Thus it measures progress by comparing one matter object to other matter objects. While spiritual progress does bring about changes in human affairs, every change is not an indication of spiritual progress. Such a change may be merely the result of belief, in which case it is of no real benefit and is not lasting, for it does not have a spiritual basis. Only as we forsake the material for the spiritual, the outward seeming for the inward reality, are we taking the human footsteps which lead up to the divine glory. True progress is perceived only by spiritual sense.
Mrs. Eddy gives a wonderful definition of progress on page 181 of "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany." She writes, "Progress is the maturing conception of divine Love; it demonstrates the scientific, sinless life of man and mortal's painless departure from matter to Spirit, not through death, but through the true idea of Life,—and Life not in matter but in Mind." "The maturing conception of divine Love"—what grander concept of progress could there be than this! Only as we understand more and more fully the nature of divine Love and know man as its unfailing reflection are we really progressing. There is no struggle or competition in this unfoldment, no material position or office to occupy, no material power or possessions to gain. There is only Love to be known and lived. We take a forward step in divine Science only as we love more.
