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.