Library of Christ Mind Teachings
ACIM Original Edition
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God’s gifts can rarely be received directly. Even the most advanced of
God’s teachers will give way to temptation in this world. Would it be
fair if their pupils were denied healing because of this? The Bible
says, “Ask in the name of Jesus Christ.” Is this merely an appeal to
magic? A name does not heal, nor does an invocation call forth any
special power. What does it mean to call on Jesus Christ? What does
calling on his name confer? Why is the appeal to him part of healing?
2 We have repeatedly stated that one who has perfectly
accepted the Atonement for himself can heal the world. Indeed, he has
already done so. Temptation may recur to others, but never to this one.
He has become the risen Son of God. He has overcome death, because he
has accepted life. He has recognized himself as God created him, and in
so doing he has recognized all living things as part of him. There is
now no limit on his power, because it is the Power of God. So has his
name become the name of God, for he no longer sees himself as separate
from Him.
3 What does this mean to you? It means that in remembering
Jesus, you are remembering God. The whole relationship of the Son to the
Father lies in him. His part in the Sonship is also yours, and his
completed learning guarantees your own success. Is he still available
for help? What did he say about this? Remember his promises, and ask
yourself honestly whether it is likely that he will fail to keep them.
Can God fail His Son? And can one who is one with God be unlike Him? Who
transcends the body has transcended limitation. Would the greatest
teacher be unavailable to those who follow him?
4 The name of Jesus Christ as such is but a symbol. But it
stands for love that is not of this world. It is a symbol that can
safely be used as a replacement for the many names of all the gods you
pray to. It becomes the shining symbol for the Word of God, so close to
what it stands for that the little space between the two is lost the
moment that the name is called to mind. Remembering His name is to give
thanks for all the gifts that God has given you. And gratitude to God
becomes the way in which He is remembered, for love cannot be far behind
a grateful heart and thankful mind. God enters easily, for these are the
true conditions for your coming home.
5 Jesus has led the way. Why would you not be grateful to
him? He has asked for love, but only that he might give it to you. You
do not love yourself. But in his eyes your loveliness is so complete and
flawless that he sees in it an image of his Father. You become the
symbol of his Father here on earth. To you he looks for hope, because in
you he sees no limit and no stain to mar your beautiful perfection. In
his eyes Christ’s vision shines in perfect constancy. He has remained
with you. Would you not learn the lesson of salvation through his
learning? Why would you choose to start again when he has made the
journey for you?
6 No one on earth can grasp what Heaven is or what its one
Creator really means. Yet we have witnesses. It is to them that wisdom
would appeal. There have been those whose learning far exceeds what you
can learn. Nor would we teach the limitations we have laid on us. No one
who has become a true and dedicated teacher of God forgets his brothers.
Yet what he can offer them is limited by what he learns himself. Then
turn to one who laid all limits by and went beyond the farthest reach of
learning. He will take you with him, for he did not go alone. And you
were with him then, as you are now.
7 This course has come from him, because his words have
reached you in a language you can love and understand. Are other
teachers possible to lead the way to those who speak in different
tongues and appeal to different symbols? Certainly there are. Would God
leave anyone without a very present help in time of trouble? A savior
who can symbolize Himself? Yet do we need a many-faceted curriculum, not
because of content differences but because symbols must shift and change
to suit the need. Jesus has come to answer yours. In him you find God’s
Answer. Do you then teach with him, for he is with you; he is always
here.