January 9, 2018
The Course tells us we are sinless. It also tells us there is no such thing as “sin” and “sin” is not real. Those of us who grew up in many of the Christian traditions were indoctrinated with the idea that we are inherently sinful, and because of that, God could not look upon us. Even though we were taught that we were created in God’s image and that God is Love, we were still permanently sinful in nature. The Course was sent to us to free us from that burden. If we could be sinful, then God would be sinful, for we are One with God. However, we are as God creates us. And since God is unchangeable, we are also unchangeable. The idea of sin is an egoic idea that is designed to keep us distracted from our true divine and holy nature. In a reality that is solely love, there can be nothing opposing love. The idea of sin is simply wrong and impossible.
So, why do we support this misperception? Our own egoic thought system uses this idea to keep us distracted from the reality of Oneness. It keeps us believing we are separate and apart from the truth about who we really are.
It is essential that error be not confused with sin, and it is this distinction that makes salvation possible. For error can be corrected, and the wrong made right. But sin, were it possible, would be irreversible. The belief in sin is necessarily based on the firm conviction that minds, not bodies, can attack. And thus, the mind is guilty, and will forever so remain unless a mind not part of it can give it absolution. Sin calls for punishment as error for correction, and the belief that punishment is correction is clearly insane. T-19.II.1:1-6
Believing that we have a sinful nature leaves no room in our minds for any idea opposed to that idea. The conflict between the belief that we are sinful and the reality that we are divine and holy is dissonant and makes for confusion in our minds. It is insane to believe two conflicting ideas, and so we choose one idea over the other. Which idea is true? Most of us have chosen to believe the idea that we are sinful after a lifetime of reinforcement of that idea. What has that belief brought us? Since a sinful nature tells us we are damaged, we believe we are permanently damaged unless something outside us fixes us.
The Course tells us something different. The Course tells us we have done nothing more than believe a mistaken idea (sinfulness). Mistakes can be corrected. Reality has no room for even the idea of sin. In a reality that is whole, complete, perfect and unchangeable, there is no room for sin to even occur. Reality is full of love and peace. Sin is not of love and peace.
The Child of God can be mistaken; they can deceive themselves; they can even turn the power of their mind against themselves. But they cannot sin. There is nothing they can do that would really change their reality in any way, nor make them really guilty. That is what sin would do, for such is its purpose. Yet for all the wild insanity inherent in the whole idea of sin, it is impossible. For the wages of sin is death, and how can the immortal die? T-19.II.3:1-6
Are we willing to see ourselves differently? Are we willing to even entertain the idea that we are not sinful? Even if we have believed this mistaken idea, we can correct that error if we choose. It may take some time, but to see ourselves as we truly are is worth it. We have everything within us that we need to show us we are divine in Oneness. Spirit is waiting within us for us to accept that willingness to change our mind and accept the truth about who we really are. We can set aside our attachment to the mistaken belief we are separate and allow Spirit to show us the divine and holy nature already within us waiting for our minds to recognize it is who we are. The Course tells us nothing real can be threatened. So, are we willing to let go of what we think is real and allow what is really real to rise in our minds? Let error be corrected and release all else that cannot be corrected because it is not real.
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