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, 16:10, 29 October 2014Created page with 'Image:lighterstill.jpgright|frame <center>'''All that I give is given to myself.'''</center> All that I give is given to myself. Today's idea, co...'
[[Image:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Acim_small.jpg|right|frame]]
<center>'''All that I give is given to myself.'''</center>
All that I give is given to myself.
Today's idea, completely alien to the ego and the thinking of the world, is
crucial to the thought reversal that 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 yours on theirs. 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 that 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, the 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 that 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 that 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:
<center>''All that I give is given to myself.''</center>
<center>''The Help I need to learn that this is true is with me now.''</center>
<center>''And I will trust in Him.''</center>
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.
[[Category: Workbook I]]
<center>'''All that I give is given to myself.'''</center>
All that I give is given to myself.
Today's idea, completely alien to the ego and the thinking of the world, is
crucial to the thought reversal that 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 yours on theirs. 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 that 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, the 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 that 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 that 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:
<center>''All that I give is given to myself.''</center>
<center>''The Help I need to learn that this is true is with me now.''</center>
<center>''And I will trust in Him.''</center>
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.
[[Category: Workbook I]]
