4 God gives special gifts to His teachers because they have a special role in His plan of reconciliation. 5 Their peculiarity is, of course, only temporary; set in time as a means of leading beyond time. 6 These special gifts, born in the holy relationship to which the situation of teaching and learning is directed, become characteristic of all teachers of God who have advanced in their learning. 7 In this respect they are all alike.

M-4.2. All differences between the Sons of God are temporary. 2 In time, however, it can be said that advanced teachers of God have the following qualities:

I believe

M-4.I.1. This is the basis on which their ability to perform their function rests. 2 Perception is the result of learning. 3 Perception is actually learning because cause and effect are never separated. 4 The teachers of God trust the world because they have learned that they do not follow the laws that the world has created. 5 It is governed by the power that is in them, but is not of them. A Course In Miracles 6 It is this power that keeps all things safe. 7 Thanks to this power, God's teachers look to the world that has been forgiven.

M-4.I.2. Once you experience this power, it is impossible to trust your own petty power again. 2 Who would attempt to fly with the small wings of a sparrow when given the mighty power of an eagle? 3 And who would believe in the shabby sacrifices of the ego, when the gifts of God are set before him? 4 What will make them shift?

A. Development of trust

M-4.I.A.3. First, they have to go through what could be called a "ruin period". 2 It may not be painful, but it is usually experienced that way. 3 It seems as if things are being taken away, and at first it is seldom understood that their lack of value is only recognized. 4 How can a lack of value be perceived if the perceiver is not in a position to see things in a different light? 5 He is not yet at the point where he can make the shift completely internally. 6 And so the plan will sometimes require changes in seemingly external circumstances. 7 These changes are always useful. 8 When the teacher of God has learned this, he passes to the second stage.