OrEd-T-23.4-Salvation Without Compromise

41. I do not recognize some of the forms attack can take. I do not recognize the source of my pain. Attack in any form will hurt me as much as in a form I recognize. Attack in any form is equally destructive, and its purpose does not change. If the intent is death, it does not matter what form it takes. The only intent of attack is murder. Attack serves to cover the massive guilt, and frantic fear of punishment the murderer feels. If the intent is death, it does not matter what form attack takes. He may deny he is a murderer, justifying his savagery with smiles as he attacks. Yet, he will see his intent in nightmares, where the smiles are gone, and to his horrified awareness his purpose rises to pursue him. For the the thought of murder entails guilt that no one escapes.

42. Is death in any form, however lovely and charitable it may seem to be, a blessing and a sign the Voice for God speaks through me to my brother? The wrapping does not make the gift I 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 my brother, and I attack him. I give him nothing and receive of him only what I gave.

43. Salvation is no compromise of any kind. To compromise is to accept only part of what I want, taking a little and giving up the rest. Salvation gives up nothing. It is complete for everyone. The awareness of salvation's purpose is lost because it is not recognized, if the idea of compromise enters. Salvation is denied where compromise has been accepted, for compromise is the belief salvation is impossible. Compromise would maintain I can attack a little, love a little, and know the difference. Thus compromise would teach that a little of the same can be different, and yet the same remain whole as one. This doesn't make sense, and cannot be understood.

44. This course is easy just because it makes no compromises. Forgiveness cannot be withheld a little. Nor is it possible to attack one, and love another, and understand forgiveness. It seems difficult to those who still believe that compromise is possible. They do not see that, if compromise is possible, salvation is attack. It is certain the belief that salvation is impossible cannot uphold a quiet, calm assurance it has come. I want to recognize any form of assault on my peace. This is the only way it becomes possible that I keep sight of it. If I do not defend it, peace can be kept shining before my vision, forever clear and never out of sight.

45. Those who believe that peace can be defended, and that attack is justified on the behalf of peace, cannot perceive the peace that lies within them. How could they know? They accept forgiveness side by side with the belief that murder takes some forms by which their peace is saved. They are unwilling to accept the fact that their savage purpose is directed against themselves. No one unites with enemies nor is at one with them in purpose. And no one compromises with an enemy without hating him for what the enemy kept from him.

46. I will not mistake truce for peace, nor compromise for the escape from conflict. To be released from conflict means that it is over. There is no safety in a battleground. I have not lingered there just because the guns are silent for an instant. I can look down on it in safety from above and not be touched. But from within it, I can find no safety. No form that murder takes can offer safety. Not one illusion of protection stands against the faith in murder. Guilt cannot be absent from the battlefield. The body stands here, torn between the natural desire to communicate, and the unnatural intent to murder and to die. There is no war without attack. Not one tree left standing will shelter me. The door is open, I have left the battleground. I will not remain in conflict.