Lesson 319 • November 15

 

Read on the ACIM CE App: https://acimce.app/:W-319

Lesson 319

I came for the salvation of the world.

Practice Instructions

See complete instructions in a separate document. A short summary:

  • Read the commentary paragraph slowly and personally.
  • Pray the prayer, perhaps several times.
  • Morning and evening: Repeat the idea and then spend time in Open Mind Meditation.
  • Hourly remembrance: Repeat the idea and then spend time in Open Mind Meditation.
  • Frequent reminders: Repeat the idea and then spend a quiet moment in meditation.
  • Response to temptation: Repeat the idea whenever upset, to restore peace.
  • Read the “What Is” section slowly and thoughtfully once during the day.

Commentary

The Course is quite clear that our purpose here, every one of us, is the salvation of the world. This is quite different from the purpose for which the ego came to the world, which was to find a place where God could not enter; to hide from God, so to speak, and eventually, to die. But the Holy Spirit has a different purpose for everything the ego made for its nefarious purposes. Our purpose here is to bring the world back to light by allowing ourselves to be transformed, becoming God’s extensions in the dream to awaken all our brothers along with ourselves.

To say, “I am here to save the world,” which is just a slight paraphrase of the lesson title, sounds very arrogant to us. But “here is a thought from which all arrogance has been removed” (1:1). It is not arrogant because it is the truth; this is what God created us for, and the function He has assigned to us. To say otherwise is arrogance because it opposes the truth and tries to make for ourselves a role we do not have.

When our arrogance is removed, “truth will come immediately” (1:2) to fill up the empty spot left by it. Our self-appointed roles are blocking and interfering with the function given to us by God. The reason thinking that we are here to save the world is not arrogant is that “what one gains is given unto all” (1:5). So accepting our function as saviors means that we accept it for all; our brothers become our saviors just as we become theirs. If the Will of God is total (2:1), then the goal of God must be total; it must be the salvation of the entire world (2:2), not just of me and you and our sister Sue.

To bring the world home to oneness is God’s Will, and therefore it is “the will my Self has shared with” Him (2:3). It is my will as well. We are here for the healing of all minds. Our will is that everyone awaken to love, and that is our only purpose in being here.

“I came for the salvation of the world.” Repeating this to myself, reminding myself of this, is an interesting exercise. Another way of saying it is, “I am here only to be truly helpful” (T-4.XI.8:2).

Let me remind myself of this today. I am not here to make a name for myself, to make money, or to achieve the temporal and temporary things I think of as my goals. I am here to help. I am here to heal. I am here to bless. I am here to save the world.