Difference between revisions of "ACIM Manual for Teachers - Section 19"
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− | Justice is the divine correction for injustice. Injustice is the basis for all the | + | [[Justice]] is the [[divine]] [[correction]] for injustice. Injustice is the basis for all the |
− | judgments of the world. Justice corrects the interpretations to which | + | [[judgments]] of the world. Justice corrects the [[interpretations]] to which |
injustice gives rise, and cancels them out. Neither justice nor injustice exists | injustice gives rise, and cancels them out. Neither justice nor injustice exists | ||
− | in Heaven, for error is impossible and correction meaningless. In this world, | + | in [[Heaven]], for [[error]] is impossible and correction meaningless. In this world, |
− | however, forgiveness depends on justice, since all attack can only be unjust. | + | however, [[forgiveness]] depends on justice, since all [[attack]] can only be unjust. |
− | Justice is the Holy Spirit's verdict upon the world. Except in His judgment | + | Justice is the [[Holy Spirit]]'s [[verdict]] upon the world. Except in His judgment |
justice is impossible, for no one in the world is capable of making only just | justice is impossible, for no one in the world is capable of making only just | ||
interpretations and laying all injustices aside. If God's Son were fairly | interpretations and laying all injustices aside. If God's Son were fairly | ||
− | judged, there would be no need for salvation. The thought of separation | + | judged, there would be no need for [[salvation]]. The [[thought]] of [[separation]] |
would have been forever inconceivable. | would have been forever inconceivable. | ||
− | Justice, like its opposite, is an interpretation. It is, however, the one | + | Justice, like its opposite, is an [[interpretation]]. It is, however, the one |
− | interpretation that leads to truth. This becomes possible because, while it is | + | interpretation that leads to [[truth]]. This becomes possible because, while it is |
not true in itself, justice includes nothing that opposes truth. There is no | not true in itself, justice includes nothing that opposes truth. There is no | ||
− | inherent conflict between justice and truth; one is but the first small step in | + | inherent [[conflict]] between justice and truth; one is but the first small [[step]] in |
− | the direction of the other. The path becomes quite different as one goes | + | the direction of the other. The [[path]] becomes quite different as one goes |
− | along. Nor could all the magnificence, the grandeur of the scene and the | + | along. Nor could all the magnificence, the [[grandeur]] of the scene and the |
− | enormous opening vistas that rise to meet one as the journey continues, be | + | enormous opening vistas that rise to meet one as the [[journey]] continues, be |
foretold from the outset. Yet even these, whose splendor reaches | foretold from the outset. Yet even these, whose splendor reaches | ||
indescribable heights as one proceeds, fall short indeed of all that wait when | indescribable heights as one proceeds, fall short indeed of all that wait when | ||
− | the pathway ceases and time ends with it. But somewhere one must start. | + | the pathway ceases and [[time]] ends with it. But somewhere one must start. |
Justice is the beginning. | Justice is the beginning. | ||
− | All concepts of your brothers and yourself; all fears of future states and all | + | All [[concepts]] of your brothers and yourself; all [[fears]] of [[future]] states and all |
− | concerns about the past, stem from injustice. Here is the lens which, held | + | concerns about the [[past]], stem from injustice. Here is the [[lens]] which, held |
− | before the body's eyes, distorts perception and brings witness of the | + | before the [[body]]'s eyes, [[distorts]] [[perception]] and brings witness of the |
− | distorted world back to the mind that made the lens and holds it very dear. | + | distorted world back to [[the mind]] that made the lens and holds it very dear. |
− | Selectively and arbitrarily is every concept of the world built up in just this | + | Selectively and [[arbitrarily]] is every concept of the world built up in just this |
− | way. "Sins" are perceived and justified by careful selectivity in which all | + | way. "[[Sins]]" are perceived and [[justified]] by careful selectivity in which all |
− | thought of wholeness must be lost. Forgiveness has no place in such a | + | thought of [[wholeness]] must be lost. [[Forgiveness]] has no place in such a |
scheme, for not one "sin" but seems forever true. | scheme, for not one "sin" but seems forever true. | ||
− | Salvation is God's justice. It restores to your awareness the wholeness of the | + | [[Salvation]] is [[God]]'s [[justice]]. It restores to your [[awareness]] the wholeness of the |
− | fragments you perceive as broken off and separate. And it is this that | + | [[fragments]] you perceive as broken off and separate. And it is this that |
− | overcomes the fear of death. For separate fragments must decay and die, but | + | overcomes the [[fear]] of death. For separate fragments must decay and die, but |
− | wholeness is immortal. It remains forever and forever like its Creator, being | + | wholeness is [[immortal]]. It remains forever and forever like its [[Creator]], being |
− | one with Him. God's Judgment is His justice. Onto this,--a Judgment wholly | + | one with Him. God's Judgment is His [[justice]]. Onto this,--a Judgment wholly |
− | lacking in condemnation; an evaluation based entirely on love,--you have | + | lacking in [[condemnation]]; an [[evaluation]] based entirely on [[love]],--you have |
− | projected your injustice, giving God the lens of warped perception through | + | [[projected]] your injustice, giving God the lens of warped perception through |
which you look. Now it belongs to Him and not to you. You are afraid of | which you look. Now it belongs to Him and not to you. You are afraid of | ||
− | Him, and do not see you hate and fear your Self as enemy. | + | Him, and do not see you [[hate]] and fear [[your Self]] as [[enemy]]. |
− | Pray for God's justice, and do not confuse His mercy with your own | + | [[Pray]] for God's [[justice]], and do not [[confuse]] His [[mercy]] with your own |
− | insanity. Perception can make whatever picture the mind desires to see. | + | [[insanity]]. [[Perception]] can make whatever picture the [[mind]] [[desires]] to see. |
− | Remember this. In this lies either Heaven or hell, as you elect. God's justice | + | Remember this. In this lies either [[Heaven]] or [[hell]], as you elect. God's justice |
− | points to Heaven just because it is entirely impartial. It accepts all evidence | + | points to Heaven just because it is entirely impartial. It accepts all [[evidence]] |
that is brought before it, omitting nothing and assessing nothing as separate | that is brought before it, omitting nothing and assessing nothing as separate | ||
and apart from all the rest. From this one standpoint does it judge, and this | and apart from all the rest. From this one standpoint does it judge, and this | ||
− | alone. Here all attack and condemnation becomes meaningless and | + | alone. Here all [[attack]] and [[condemnation]] becomes meaningless and |
− | indefensible. Perception rests, the mind is still, and light returns again. | + | indefensible. Perception [[rests]], the mind is still, and [[light]] returns again. |
− | Vision is now restored. What had been lost has now been found. The peace | + | [[Vision]] is now restored. What had been lost has now been found. The [[peace]] |
− | of God descends on all the world, and we can see. And we can see! | + | of [[God]] descends on all the world, and we can see. And we can see! |
[[Category:Manual for Teachers]] | [[Category:Manual for Teachers]] | ||
+ | [[Category: Justice]] |
Latest revision as of 21:24, 8 October 2015
Justice is the divine correction for injustice. Injustice is the basis for all the
judgments of the world. Justice corrects the interpretations to which
injustice gives rise, and cancels them out. Neither justice nor injustice exists
in Heaven, for error is impossible and correction meaningless. In this world,
however, forgiveness depends on justice, since all attack can only be unjust.
Justice is the Holy Spirit's verdict upon the world. Except in His judgment
justice is impossible, for no one in the world is capable of making only just
interpretations and laying all injustices aside. If God's Son were fairly
judged, there would be no need for salvation. The thought of separation
would have been forever inconceivable.
Justice, like its opposite, is an interpretation. It is, however, the one interpretation that leads to truth. This becomes possible because, while it is not true in itself, justice includes nothing that opposes truth. There is no inherent conflict between justice and truth; one is but the first small step in the direction of the other. The path becomes quite different as one goes along. Nor could all the magnificence, the grandeur of the scene and the enormous opening vistas that rise to meet one as the journey continues, be foretold from the outset. Yet even these, whose splendor reaches indescribable heights as one proceeds, fall short indeed of all that wait when the pathway ceases and time ends with it. But somewhere one must start. Justice is the beginning.
All concepts of your brothers and yourself; all fears of future states and all concerns about the past, stem from injustice. Here is the lens which, held before the body's eyes, distorts perception and brings witness of the distorted world back to the mind that made the lens and holds it very dear. Selectively and arbitrarily is every concept of the world built up in just this way. "Sins" are perceived and justified by careful selectivity in which all thought of wholeness must be lost. Forgiveness has no place in such a scheme, for not one "sin" but seems forever true.
Salvation is God's justice. It restores to your awareness the wholeness of the fragments you perceive as broken off and separate. And it is this that overcomes the fear of death. For separate fragments must decay and die, but wholeness is immortal. It remains forever and forever like its Creator, being one with Him. God's Judgment is His justice. Onto this,--a Judgment wholly lacking in condemnation; an evaluation based entirely on love,--you have projected your injustice, giving God the lens of warped perception through which you look. Now it belongs to Him and not to you. You are afraid of Him, and do not see you hate and fear your Self as enemy.
Pray for God's justice, and do not confuse His mercy with your own insanity. Perception can make whatever picture the mind desires to see. Remember this. In this lies either Heaven or hell, as you elect. God's justice points to Heaven just because it is entirely impartial. It accepts all evidence that is brought before it, omitting nothing and assessing nothing as separate and apart from all the rest. From this one standpoint does it judge, and this alone. Here all attack and condemnation becomes meaningless and indefensible. Perception rests, the mind is still, and light returns again. Vision is now restored. What had been lost has now been found. The peace of God descends on all the world, and we can see. And we can see!