T. 31. VII. 3 – 6. Jesus: “As you give your trust to what is good in your brother, you learn to trust the good in you. It is thus you see him more than just a body, for the good is never what the body seems to be.
By focusing upon the good in your brother, the body grows decreasingly persistent in your sight. It will at length be seen as little more than just a shadow circling round the good! When you have reached the world beyond the sight your eyes alone can see, this will become your concept of yourself. You will not then interpret what you see without the Aid That God has given you. And in the Holy Spirit’s sight there is another world.
You live in that world just as much as this. For both are but projected concepts of yourself, which can be interchanged, but never jointly held in mind. The contrast is far greater than you think, for this other concept of yourself you will love, because it was not made in separation by the ego, nor for you alone. Born as a gift for your brother, someone not perceived to be yourself, you will find it has been given you. For you are not separate, and your forgiveness, offered unto him, makes it accepted now for both of you.
Have faith in him who walks with you, so that your fearful concept of yourself may change! And look upon the good in him, that you may not again be frightened by your ‘evil’ thoughts, because no longer do they cloud your view of him.
All this shift in your perception requires is just a little willingness for this happy change to occur. No more than this is asked! On behalf of this shift, remember for a moment what the present concept of yourself, the one that you still hold, has brought you in its wake, and welcome gladly now the contrast offered you!
Hold out your hand, that you may have the gift of kind forgiveness, which you now offer one whose need for it is just the same as yours. And let the cruel concept of yourself be changed to one that brings the peace of God!
The old concept of yourself that you still hold would guarantee your only real function here remain forever unaccomplished and undone. And thus it dooms you to a bitter sense of deep depression and futility. Yet it need not be unchangeable, unless you choose to hold it back from hope of change, and keep it static and concealed within your mind.
Give it instead to Him Who understands the changes that it needs for it to serve the function given you, to bring you peace that you may offer peace, to prove that it is yours!
Alternatives are in your mind to use, and you can see yourself another way. Would you not rather look upon yourself as needed for salvation of the world, instead of as salvation’s enemy?”