Forgiveness is acquired. It is not inherent in the mind, which cannot sin. As sin is an idea you taught yourself, forgiveness must be learned by you as well, but from a Teacher other than yourself, Who represents the other Self in you. Through Him you learn how to forgive the self you think you made, and let it disappear. Thus you return your mind as one to Him Who is your Self, and Who can never sin.
Each unforgiving mind presents you with an opportunity to teach your own [mind] how to forgive itself. Each [unforgiving mind] awaits release from hell through you, and turns to you imploringly for Heaven here and now. It has no hope, but you become its hope. And as its hope, do you become your own. The unforgiving mind must learn through your forgiveness that it has been saved from hell. And as you teach salvation, you will learn. Yet all your teaching and your learning will be not of you, but of the Teacher Who was given you to show the way to you.”
The unforgiving mind does not believe that giving and receiving are the same. Yet we will try to learn today that [giving and receiving] are one through practicing forgiveness toward one whom you think of as an enemy, and one whom you consider as a friend. And as you learn to see them both as one, we will extend the lesson to yourself, and see that their escape included yours. (, A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson 121,W-pI.121.6-7;9. See also ACIM Lesson 121 Insights.)
Sin (separation) is an idea we taught ourselves to believe is true. Belief does not make real but it makes appearances seem real. If we believe an appearance is real, we react to it as if it were real. It is this self-taught belief that must be undone.
Only the Holy Spirit can teach us to recognize what is untrue and let it go. The ego is invested in making us believe that what could never be true is real. Its seeming existence depends upon our accepting this belief. As we let the Holy Spirit use our perceptions of others to teach us how to forgive, we learn that we ourselves are forgiven. What we learn is untrue disappears because belief no longer seems to keep it in place.
Forgiveness sets us free to remember that everyone is Love and nothing else.
© Copyright 2018, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
You may freely share copies of this with your friends, provided this notice is included.
Has this page been helpful to you?
Your contribution in support of this site is greatly appreciated. To make a tax deductible contribution or become a member online, go to http://www.pathwaysoflight.org/polshop/home.php?cat=254.
Or send a check or money order to Pathways of Light, 6 Oak Court, Ormond Beach, FL 32174-2623 (USD only, please) Thank you for your support.