Today's idea, completely alien to the ego and the thinking of the world, is
crucial to the thought reversal which this course will bring about. If you
believed this statement there would be no problem in complete forgiveness,
certainty of goal, and sure direction. You would understand the means by which
salvation comes to you, and would not hesitate to use it now.
Let us consider what you do believe in place of this idea. It seems to you that
other people are apart from you, and able to behave in ways which have no
bearing on your thoughts, nor theirs on yours. Therefore your attitudes have no
effect on them, and their appeals for help are not in any way related to your
own. You further think that they can sin without affecting your perception of
yourself, while you can judge their sin and yet remain apart from condemnation
and at peace.
When you "forgive" a sin there is no gain to you directly. You give charity
to one unworthy merely to point out that you are better, on a higher plane than
he whom you forgive. He has not earned your charitable tolerance, which you
bestow on one unworthy of the gift because his sins have lowered him beneath a
true equality with you. He has no claim on your forgiveness. It holds out a gift to him but hardly
to yourself.
Thus is forgiveness basically unsound; a charitable whim, benevolent yet
undeserved; a gift bestowed at times, at other times withheld. Unmerited,
withholding it is just, nor is it fair that you should suffer when it is
withheld. The sin which you forgive is not your own. Someone apart from you
committed it. And if you then are gracious unto him by giving him what he does
not deserve, your gift is no more yours than was his sin.
If this be true, forgiveness has no grounds on which to rest dependably and
sure. It is an eccentricity in which you sometimes choose to give indulgently an
undeserved reprieve. Yet it remains your right to let the sinner not escape the
justified repayment for his sin. Think you the Lord of Heaven would allow the
world's salvation to depend on this? Would not His care for you be small
indeed if your salvation rested on a whim?
You do not understand forgiveness. As you see it, it is but a check upon overt
attack, without requiring correction in your mind. It cannot give you peace as
you perceive it. It is not a means for your release from what you see in someone
other than yourself. It has no power to restore your unity with him to your
awareness. It is not what God intended it to be for you.
Not having given Him the gift He asks of you, you cannot recognize His gifts,
and think He has not given them to you. Yet would He ask you for a gift unless
it was for you? Could He be satisfied with empty gestures, and evaluate such
petty gifts as worthy of His Son? Salvation is a better gift than this, and true
forgiveness, as the means by which it is attained, must heal the mind that
gives, for giving is receiving. What remains as unreceived has not been given,
but what has been given must have been received.
Today we try to understand the truth that giver and receiver are the same. You
will need help to make this meaningful because it is so alien to the thoughts to
which you are accustomed. But the Help you need is there. Give Him your faith
today and ask Him that He share your practicing in truth today. And if you only
catch a tiny glimpse of the release which lies in the idea we practice for today, this is a
day of glory for the world.
Give fifteen minutes twice today to the attempt to understand today's idea. It
is the thought by which forgiveness takes its proper place in your priorities.
It is the thought that will release your mind from every bar to what forgiveness
means, and let you realize its worth to you.
In silence close your eyes upon the world which does not understand forgiveness,
and seek sanctuary in the quiet place where thoughts are changed and false
beliefs laid by. Repeat today's idea, and ask for help in understanding what
it really means. Be willing to be taught. Be glad to hear the Voice of truth and
healing speak to you, and you will understand the words He speaks, and recognize
He speaks your words to you.
As often as you can, remind yourself you have a goal today; an aim which makes
this day of special value to yourself and all your brothers.
Do not let your mind forget this goal for long, but tell yourself:
"All that I give is given to myself. The Help I need to learn that this is true Is with me now. And I will trust in Him."
Then spend a quiet moment, opening your
mind to His correction and His Love. And what you hear of Him you will believe,
for what He gives will be received by you.
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