I’m Doing It With My Neighbor

Shawn McCraney emphasizes the importance of nurturing a direct relationship with God through Christ by focusing on spiritual growth and personal holiness rather than adhering to religious governance or punitive measures for sin. He argues that in the contemporary Christian life, fostering the spirit of love, patience, and kindness—qualities defined in scripture as the fruit of the Spirit—presents a more effective and compassionate approach to achieving holiness than traditional disciplinary actions.

The teaching emphasizes that during the Apostolic age, the early church was guided by living apostles with the power to discern, and once this era ended, God shifted His approach by writing laws on the hearts and minds of individuals, allowing believers to become His children through unshakeable spiritual principles. Counseling others, particularly those struggling with sins like fornication and adultery, involves embracing the principles of Agape love—patience, forgiveness, and kindness—while allowing the Spirit of God to govern believers' lives, acknowledging that sin is a conflict between spiritual and carnal nature as described by Paul in Romans.

Shawn teaches that Christians face a conflict between their new identity in Christ and their mortal flesh, which continues to influence sinful behaviors despite an internal transformation. To overcome this, believers should focus on strengthening their spiritual identity, acknowledging that the flesh cannot be changed or improved, and understanding that true repentance involves continually aligning one's actions with the mind and spirit given by Christ.

Acknowledge your struggles and speak honestly with God about them, as building a spiritual relationship will help you renew your mind and heart through His teachings. Engage with a community that lives by the Spirit, and remember that despite any sins of the flesh, Christ's sacrifice allows for transformation through His love, power, and goodness.