Forgiveness and God’s Love: Insights from A Course in Miracles, Lesson 46

Does God Forgive?

Many of us were brought up believing we must ask God to forgive us.
However — God doesn’t forgive.
Does this idea surprise you?

God never judges, and therefore never finds it necessary to forgive.
This message can bring deep comfort:

"God does not forgive because He has never condemned. And there must be condemnation before forgiveness is necessary. Forgiveness is the great need of this world, but that is because it is a world of illusions. Those who forgive are thus releasing themselves from illusions, while those who withhold forgiveness are binding themselves to them. As you condemn only yourself, so do you forgive only yourself." --A Course in Miracles, Workbook, Lesson 46

Created in Perfection

As our Creator, God always knows His truth about each of us.
We are perfect. We are only good. We are love — always and everywhere.

Since God made us exactly in His own image, we can only be these things.

When we perceive ourselves as flawed, sinful, or unworthy, we are caught in self-created illusion — a false perception that hides the truth of our divine innocence.  As our creator, God always knows his own truth about each of us and our inherent perfection.

Since God made us exactly in his own image, we can only be these things.  If we judge ourselves to be anything other than this, it is only our own self-created illusion.  We perceive that we are not perfect and therefore need God's forgiveness.

Why Forgiving Others Reveals Our Own Innocence

When we forgive others, we acknowledge their truth — that there is nothing to judge, because they too were created in perfection.

They are only good. They are love always and everywhere.

As we begin to see their truth clearly, something beautiful happens:
we start to remember our own.  If they are perfect, then we must be too.

"Yet although God does not forgive, His Love is nevertheless the basis of forgiveness.  Fear condemns and love forgives.  Forgiveness thus undoes what fear has produced, returning the mind to the awareness of God.  For this reason, forgiveness can truly be called salvation.  It is the means by which illusions disappear."  Lesson 46--A Course in Miracles 

Freedom from Fear and Guilt

Lesson 46 is the first place in the Workbook where forgiveness is explored in depth.
There is such safety in knowing that we never need to ask for God’s forgiveness — because asking implies it could be withheld.

Our unconscious fear that God might disapprove of us or withhold love is the root of nearly all inner conflict.  Here, in this early lesson, we are reassured: God never judges.  He has only love and support to offer us.

"I cannot be guilty because I am a Son of God.
I have already been forgiven.
No fear is possible in a mind beloved of God.
There is no need to attack because love has forgiven me."--Lesson 46

Want to go deeper into forgiveness?

Explore how forgiveness reconnects us to divine compassion in Unblocking our Connection to Love →.

My book, Forgiveness is the Key to Happiness, offers heartfelt guidance, spiritual tools, and real-life practices. Read it on Amazon →

Let daily affirmations support you too — discover the Forgiveness Metta Card Deck for a gentle morning practice of peace and release.

Let these tools light your path — because forgiveness sets you free.

— Sue Pipal