The Acceptance of the Atonement

In this class, we will walk step-by-step through eight deeply healing ideas that will guide us to peace, help us correct error, and bring us into alignment with God’s Love. This class will teach us that accepting the Atonement—our full and guiltless unity with God—is not only possible, but necessary for inner healing and the healing of our relationships. Each section will show us a different way we can choose truth over illusion, love over fear, and forgiveness over judgement.

1. The Acceptance of Reality

We will begin by learning that Reality, as God created it, is unchangeable, loving, and eternal. When we accept this reality, we stop trying to remake the world based on fear and personal judgement. We will discover that healing begins the moment we let go of illusions and recognize that only God’s Love is real.

Biblical Support:

• “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” – John 17:17
• “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” – James 1:17
• “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” – Hebrews 13:8

2. The Answer to Prayer

Next, we will explore what true prayer is—not asking for things we think we lack, but joining with God in deep communion. We will learn that real prayer always receives an answer, but the answer may come in a form we do not expect. It is always an answer of love.

Biblical Support:

• “Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.” – Isaiah 65:24
• “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” – Matthew 7:7
• “And this is the confidence we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.” – 1 John 5:14

3. The Correction of Error

We will then learn that mistakes do not call for punishment—they call for correction. The Holy Spirit gently shows us where we've misunderstood or misperceived, and lovingly redirects our thoughts back to truth. We will let go of guilt as we see that error is not sin, but simply a wrong turn that can be corrected.

Biblical Support:

• “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.” – Revelation 3:19
• “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” – 2 Timothy 3:16
• “Let the wicked forsake their ways... He will freely pardon.” – Isaiah 55:7

4. The Holy Spirit’s Plan of Forgiveness

In this section, we will see that forgiveness is the Holy Spirit’s central teaching. Forgiveness is not about excusing wrongdoing—it is about seeing the truth beyond the error. We will learn to forgive ourselves and others by recognizing that guilt is not real in God’s eyes.

Biblical Support:

• “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
• “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” – Matthew 5:7
• “Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” – Luke 6:37

5. The Unhealed Healer

Here, we will understand that we cannot give what we do not yet accept for ourselves. An “unhealed healer” tries to help others without first healing their own mind. We will learn to accept healing for ourselves, so we can become true channels of healing for others.

Biblical Support:

• “Physician, heal yourself!” – Luke 4:23
• “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” – Matthew 7:3
• “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” – Matthew 7:5

6. The Acceptance of Your Brother

We will go deeper into the healing of relationships by learning to see our brothers and sisters as guiltless, just as God created them. When we accept our brother as he truly is, we are really accepting ourselves. Judgment is what divides us, but acceptance is what heals.

Biblical Support:

• “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” – Matthew 7:1
• “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” – Romans 15:7
• “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar.” – 1 John 4:20

7. The Two Evaluations

We will learn that we are always evaluating—either through the lens of the ego or the Holy Spirit. One sees guilt, lack, and fear. The other sees innocence, abundance, and love. We will choose to listen to the voice that brings us peace.

Biblical Support:

• “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” – Colossians 3:2
• “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” – Romans 12:2
• “For the mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” – Romans 8:6

8. Grandeur versus Grandiosity

Finally, we will distinguish between true spiritual grandeur—which comes from God—and grandiosity, which is a mask for insecurity and fear. We will learn to embrace our true worth as God’s beloved creation, without needing to inflate ourselves or shrink in false humility.

Biblical Support:

• “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 1:31
• “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” – James 4:6
• “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” – Ephesians 2:10

This class will gently lead us away from guilt and fear and into a loving acceptance of the truth of who we are. Through prayer, correction, forgiveness, healing, and the right evaluation of ourselves and others, we will learn what it truly means to accept the Atonement: that we are already one with God, forever innocent and deeply loved. Are you ready to return to peace?  Let’s begin