Whereas grace, which is entirely free, finds nothing in man to which merit is due... Assuredly, grace itself gives the merits. It is not given to merit. Consequently, it goes before even faith, from which all good works begin. -- St. Augustine, On Patience, 17. A Year With the Church Fathers, p. 14.
Amen, Amen, Thanks be to God. The blessed St. Augustine understood the Gospel – as a gift of grace. How different from Dr. Stephenson, two quotes above, who thinks we are God’s children if we are able to cling to Him. It is God Who clings to us through His dear Son and the Holy Spirit. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
ReplyDeleteThe Gospel is irrational; it does not fit human expectations. Isaiah 48: 6 You have heard; now see all this; and will you not declare it? From this time forward I make you hear new things, hidden things that you have not known. 7 They are created now, not long ago; before today you have never heard of them, so that you could not say, "I already knew them." 8 You have never heard, you have never known, from of old your ear has not been opened.” As soon as we start interpreting the Gospel based on human expectations it is no longer the Gospel.
Peace and Joy!
George A. Marquart