‘God Within’ Response

Richard Frazer in his article ‘God Within’ (Life and Work, September) highlights Jesus’ words to Nicodemus ‘The wind blows where it wills and you do not know where it comes from or where it is going’, stating this is Jesus pointing to the subversive freedom of the Spirit. He argues that we are more likely to find God by seeking the Spirit working deep within us and so can be set free by the Gospel through prayerful, meditative, self-examination. In essence, that by examining one’s own spirituality you will encounter ‘the glorious liberty of the children of God’. The subtext being that the church today, unless it becomes more ‘culturally appropriate’, is not the place to look for freedom.

These are precarious words if taken to hearts of the reader. Christian faith is not about the Christ follower’s spiritual enlightenment but rather their concept of sin, repentance and true freedom found through Christ.

The ‘glorious liberty of the children of God’ of which Frazer writes is only found in the cross and blood of Jesus, with eternal death overcome by Christ’s resurrection and ascension. We Cartoon: Bill McArthur cannot find this freedom within ourselves, but only by looking to Jesus. Jesus is not found within but is seated at the right of the Father and yes, he sent the Holy Spirit, but the Spirit does not roam freely, but as part of the Trinity works the will of the Father, whom we know through the revelation of the Son.

Jesus said to Nicodemus… ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life… Whoever believes in him is not condemned…’. We should seek Christ, and the Spirit will follow.

Mike Weaver (Rev), Dunfermline, Fife