1. “The extent of the teacher of God’s faithfulness is the measure of his advancement in the curriculum.” (1:1) Does he still select some aspects of his life to bring to his learning, while keeping others apart? If so, his advancement is limited, and his trust not yet firmly established.

“Faithfulness is the teacher of God’s trust in the Word of God to set all things right; not some, but all.” (1:4) Generally, his faithfulness begins by resting on just some problems, remaining carefully limited for a time. To give up all problems to one Answer is to reverse the thinking of the world entirely. And that alone is faithfulness. Nothing but that really deserves the name. Yet each degree, however small, is worth achieving. Readiness, as the text notes, is not mastery.

2. “True faithfulness, however, does not deviate. Being consistent, it is wholly honest. Being unswerving, it is full of trust. Being based on fearlessness, it is gentle. Being certain, it is joyous. And being confident, it is tolerant. Faithfulness, then, combines in itself the other attributes of God’s teachers. It implies acceptance of the Word of God and His definition of His Son. It is to Them that faithfulness in the true sense is always directed. Toward Them it looks, seeking until it finds. Defenselessness attends it naturally, and joy is its condition. And having found, it rests in quiet certainty on That alone to Which all faithfulness is due.” (2:all)

Notes:

Many of us have some very high ideals, and we really intend to follow them, maybe even all the time. Yet we have a great many things to juggle in this world, and while juggling all the things that come before us (thoughts, situations, relationships, decisions), we may drop the ball. Perhaps we are not yet ready, or do not yet have enough experience, or have not yet chosen to accept the full mantle of the responsibility of maintaining our adherence to those high ideals.

Of course, that does not always happen. When we are spiritually motivated, for instance, we do turn many of our problems over to God (at least in word, though not always in deed). Yet we may also believe there are certain problems that, if we gave Him the opportunity, He might not resolve to our liking. So, perhaps even subconsciously, we may decide we better keep those to ourselves. Who knows what might happen if we held nothing back and gave Him our whole life?* And it is this uncertainty, this fear, this lack of trust that holds us back.

In one of its exercises, the Course asks us to “think about all things we saved to settle by ourselves, and kept apart from healing.” (W-pI.193.11:4) Our list could be rather long (perhaps never-ending for some). The list of the things we DO give to God might be a lot shorter, as we are not yet wholly faithful to our higher convictions. That, says the Course, is the only difference between us and the advanced teacher of God. He is wholly faithful. If he did that exercise, there would be nothing on his list. He has no judgments because all are given to the Holy Spirit for His judgment. He has no problems because he looks to the Holy Spirit as The Answer.** That is why he is “advanced.” He actually follows through on his high ideals. For he has learned the priceless lesson that we are still learning: that he can “trust in the Word of God to set all things right; not some, but all.” (1:4)

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*Perfect vision, perfect health, perfect happiness, perfect peace, perfect love – these would happen.

**So, without exception, give all judgments and problems to the healing power of forgiveness, and there will be a MAJOR increase in the list of things we have given to the Holy Spirit to settle for us.

MANUAL FOR TEACHERS

4.IX. FAITHFULNESS

RECAP

1. “The extent of the teacher of God’s faithfulness is the measure of his advancement in the curriculum.” (1:1)

2. “Faithfulness is the teacher of God’s trust in the Word of God to set all things right: not some, but all.” (1:4)

3. To give up all problems to one Answer is to reverse the thinking of the world entirely. And that alone is faithfulness. Nothing but that really deserves the name.

4. Readiness is not mastery, yet each degree of faithfulness reached by the teacher of God, however small, is worth achieving.

5. Faithfulness combines in itself the other attributes of God’s teacher. It implies acceptance of the Word of God and His definition of His Son.

6. The advanced teacher of God has no judgments because all are given to the Holy Spirit for His judgment. And he has no problems because he looks to the Holy Spirit as The Answer. He trusts in the Word of God to set all things right; not some, but all.

7. So, Teacher of God, hold nothing back and give Him your whole life – all your thoughts, situations, relationships and decisions – and experience God’s Will for perfect happiness for you.

AMEN