QUESTION: James says, "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you" (4:8). But Mary Baker Eddy said, "The intercommunication is always from God to His idea, man" (Science and Health, p. 284). I understand that to mean we can do nothing on our own. How is it then that it appears we need to make the first move?
A1 Although Mrs. Eddy did say that the direction of communication is from God to man, she also insisted that there is work to be done in order to realize this fact in our own lives. This work, I feel, is the drawing nigh that James speaks of.
It's helpful to look for the answers to difficult questions in the life of Jesus Christ. He proved that to understand the Science of Christianity is to recognize that God and His creation are always instantaneously related. One proof of this is the fact that Jesus demonstrated freedom from sickness, sin, and death, and so showed us the kingdom of heaven while he was still on earth. He often referred to this kingdom in his parables, such as the parable of the talents (see Matt. 25:14–29).
