T. 23. III. 1 – 3. Jesus: “Is it possible you do not recognize some of the forms attack can take? If it is true that your attacking in any form will hurt you, and will do so just as much when unrecognized as in another form that you do recognize, then it must follow that you do not always recognize the source of the pain you feel!
Attack in any form is equally destructive, and even to see your brother as different from yourself is an attack. The purpose of attack does not change. Its sole intent is ‘murder,’ separation from life eternal. And what form can this murder take that serves to cover the massive guilt and frantic fear of punishment the murderer must feel? He may deny he is a murderer and justify his savagery with smiles as he attacks his brother in subtle ways.
Yet he will suffer, and will look on his murderous intent in nightmares where the smiles are gone, and where his actual purpose rises to meet his horrified awareness and pursue him still. For no one thinks of murder and escapes the guilt the thought entails. If the intent is death, what matter is the form it takes?
However lovely and charitable the wish may be made to appear, Is wishing death on anyone in any form a blessing, and a sign the Voice for God speaks through you to your brother? The wrapping does not make the gift you give! An empty box, however beautiful and gently given, still contains nothing. And neither the receiver nor the giver is long deceived.
Withhold forgiveness from your brother in any way and you attack him, perceiving him as separate from yourself. You give him nothing, and receive of him but what you gave.
Salvation means no compromise of any kind. To compromise is to accept but part of what you want; to take a little and give up the rest. In salvation nothing is left out. It is complete for everyone. Let the idea of compromise but enter, and the awareness of salvation’s purpose is lost because it is not recognized. Wholeness is denied where compromise has been accepted, for compromise is the belief that salvation is impossible. It would maintain you can attack a little, love a little, and know the difference!
Thus it would teach a little of the same can still be different, and yet the same remain intact, as one. Does this make sense? Can it even be understood?”