The importance of progress is well recognized in the manufacturing field; without it products soon become outmoded, and retrogression sets in. Progress is even more necessary in the mental realm; without it activity and thought soon become limited, stilted, and barren of true accomplishment. Indeed, in all human endeavor progress is an imperative demand.
In human affairs we see constant progress in the search for new and better methods and products. But many advanced thinkers frequently point out that although there is today great material progress, there appears to be a lagging and an indifferent spiritual progress in such qualities, for example, as integrity and morality. These commentators caution that without spiritual progress modern civilization cannot advance; rather it must retrograde and finally fail as have earlier civilizations.
In the light of history and Biblical counsel, this caution is well founded. In Romans (8:5, 6) Paul wrote: "They that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." Paul also said (II Cor. 3:17), "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." Spiritual progress gives mankind freedom to think and to act rightly with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. The fruits of such thinking and acting are life, peace, and happiness.
