Glory to Glory

God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Shawn McCraney emphasizes that, although humanity is endowed with the freedom to choose, reflecting the state of the world before the fall, the goal for Christians is to reject self-serving desires and instead embrace love for God, striving to live in accordance with His will. This spiritual journey is marked by an ongoing challenge for believers to mature in their faith, learning to follow the power of the Spirit to become true children of God, as encapsulated in scripture such as John 1:11-12.

Being a child of God involves embracing faith, receiving the Spirit's guidance, and progressing through personal transformation, where each challenge faced with humility and forgiveness results in spiritual growth and becoming more like Christ. This journey is characterized by the tension between earthly suffering and the future glory awaiting believers, who are called to live not for this world, but for a higher calling in alignment with God's teachings and example.

Allow God's Spirit to work within you, embracing suffering as an opportunity for growth and love, which aligns you with the image of Christ and transforms you spiritually. Through this journey of faith and acceptance, believers are encouraged to focus on their spiritual development while trusting that any suffering endured will lead to greater future glory.