Lesson 169

"By grace I live. By grace I am released."

Grace is the world's loftiest aspiration, an aspect of God's Love which prevails in the unity of truth. Grace only comes when the mind has prepared itself for true acceptance. For those who have prepared a table where it can be gently laid and willingly received, Grace becomes inevitable, a holy gift upon this clean altar. For those minds who are lighted by the gift of grace, the world of fear cannot be real. As an open mind prepares for grace we can hear the Call to awaken. The being of God encompasses all things. When the revelation of your oneness comes, it will be fully known and understood. Grace is the final gift that Salvation bestows. Miracles are laid in the holy instances that you receive through experiencing grace. Those timeless moments bring back a clear reflection of unity to bless the world. Be grateful and accept the gifts that grace provides for you. We welcome the experience and release that grace offers everyone for the asking.

"By grace I live. By grace I am released.
By grace I give. By grace I will release."

Lesson 170

"There is no cruelty in God and none in me."

The thought to defend from fear by attacking is thoroughly insane. Any attack has the intent to hurt someone. Even attacking in self-defense does not bring you freedom.

"You make what you defend against, and by
Your own defense against it, is it real
And inescapable. Lay down your arms,
And only then do you perceive it false."

It may appear that you attack an enemy, however, your defense sets up an enemy within. It deprives you of peace. Fear cannot be your safety and protector of peace. Love asks you to lay down your defenses. If love is an enemy, cruelty must become a god. We need not defy his power because he has none. Do not think that fear is the escape from fear. You make a choice today to leave behind all forms of any false cruel idols that block you from restoring your love. Now your eyes belong to Christ as He looks through them, and your voice echoes His. Your heart forever remains at peace. You have chosen God in place of idols, and your attributes that your Creator gives to you are restored at last. Fear has made way for love as God replaces cruelty.

"Father, we are like you. No cruelty abides in us, for there is none in You. Your peace is ours. And we bless the world with what we have received from You alone. We choose again, and make our choice for all our brothers, knowing they are one with us. We bring them Your salvation as we have received it now. And we give thanks for them who render us complete. In them we see Your glory, and in them we find our peace. Holy are we, because Your holiness has set us free. And we give thanks. Amen." Review V

We recognize that we are preparing for another phase of understanding, and we are ready to give more time and effort for this undertaking. We may now move on with more certainty, sincerity and faith. Doubts have made us walk slowly before, but we now hasten forward as we approach greater certainty, a firmer purpose and a surer goal.

"Steady our feet, our Father. Let our doubts be quiet and our holy minds be still, and speak to us. We have no words to give to You. We would but listen to Your Word, and make it ours. Lead our practicing as does a father lead a little child along a way he does not understand. Yet does he follow sure that he is safe because his father leads the way for him.

So do we bring our practicing to You. And if we stumble, You will raise us up. If we forget the way, we count upon Your sure remembering. We wander off, but you will not forget to call us back. Quicken our footsteps now, that we may walk more certainly and quickly unto You. And we accept the Word You offer us to unify our practicing, as we review the thoughts that You have given us."

"God is but Love, and therefore so am I."

This is the thought that should precede the thoughts we review. Each thought clarifies some aspect of this thought. It brings more meaning and makes it more personal and true. It describes the holy Self that we share and prepare to know again. This Self alone knows love and is perfectly consistent in Its thoughts. It knows Its Creator and understands Itself. It is perfect in Its knowledge and Its Love. This Self never changes from Its Father and Itself. At the journey's end, This is That which waits to meet us. Every step brings us nearer. As we practice this review, it will shorten time immeasurably. Let us raise our hearts from dust to life. This course was sent to open up the path of light to us and teach us, step by step, how to return to the eternal Self we thought we lost. We walk together, as a savior must remain with those he teaches, to see what they see, to understand uncertainty and pain, although they have no meaning. God's son is crucified until you walk along the road with me. My resurrection comes again each time I lead a brother safely to the place the journey ends and is forgotten. I am renewed each time a brother learns there is a way from misery and pain. I have forgotten no one. Help me now to lead you back to where the journey began to make another choice with me. Together we review these thoughts, devoting our time and effort to them. God waits for you to make Heaven complete. Hear the word I speak and give them to the world. You are my voice, my eyes, my feet, my hands, through which I save the world. The Self from which I call to you is but your own. Take your brother's hand, Our Father wills His Son be one with Him. We practice an ancient truth we knew before illusion seemed to claim the world. We remind the world that it is free from all illusions by saying:

"God is but Love, and therefore so am I."

With this we start and end each practice period. We sleep with this thought and awaken with these words to greet another day. When we have finished this review, we will have recognized the words we speak are true. We place faith in the experience that comes from practice. We use the words and try to go beyond the meaning to the Source and here we find rest.

Lesson 171

"God is but Love, and therefore so am I."

• "All things are echoes of the Voice for God."

"God is but Love, and therefore so am I."


• "The power of decision is my own."

Lesson 172

"God is but Love, and therefore so am I."

• "In my defenselessness my safety lies."

"God is but Love, and therefore so am I."


• "I am among the ministers of God."

"God is but Love, and therefore so am I."

Lesson 173

"God is but Love, and therefore so am I."

• "I will step back and let Him lead the way."

"God is but Love, and therefore so am I."


• "I walk with God in perfect holiness."

"God is but Love, and therefore so am I."

Lesson 174

"God is but Love, and therefore so am I."

• "Into His Presence would I enter now."

"God is but Love, and therefore so am I."


• "Today I learn to give as I receive."

"God is but Love, and therefore so am I."

Lesson 175

"God is but Love, and therefore so am I."

• "I give the miracles I have received."

"God is but Love, and therefore so am I."


• "I am at home. Fear is the stranger here."

"God is but Love, and therefore so am I."