Article November 17, 1928 Issue

Nearness to God

HORTENSE C. WOLFE

"Nearness, " as defined by a dictionary, means "state or quality of being near; closely akin or related to; not distant (place or degree)." The nearness of the real man to God is inevitable, on account of the very nature of the relationship between God and man as divine Principle and spiritual idea. The Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, makes it clear that man is the reflection of God, the perfect expression of God. Thus, through reflection, man is one with God, as the ray of light is one with the sun. This unity with God, this at-one-ment of man with the Father, constitutes man's divine sonship, and shows how "closely akin or related to" his Father-Mother God is man, the perfect child of God. God is consequently very near. He is always present, because He is infinite, boundless, immeasurable. Therefore, God cannot for an instant be separated from His idea, man; He can never be absent from His creation or idea.

As we gain the understanding of man's true relationship to God, there comes the realization of our spiritual oneness with God. It is our ignorance of what God is, and what our relationship to Him is; it is the error of believing in many gods, of not ascribing power to God alone, that seems to separate us from the Father. Mrs. Eddy writes on page 596 of Science and Health, "Paganism and agnosticism may define Deity as 'the great unknowable;' but Christian Science brings God much nearer to man, and makes Him better known as the All-in-all, forever near."

Nearness to God is realized in proportion as our ignorance of God and His relationship to His idea, man, is supplanted with understanding. As we give up materiality, or belief in matter, and "have no other Mind but His,—no other Love, wisdom, or Truth, no other sense of Life, and no consciousness of the existence of matter or error" (Science and Health, p. 206); as we obey His commandments and love Him with all our soul and all our mind, we consciously come near to Him.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
Step by Step
November 17, 1928
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit