But what is the import of the last statement which he has made: "If any one say, May it possibly be that a man sin not even in word?' then the answer," says he, "which must be given is, Quite possible, if God so will; and God does so will, therefore it is possible.'" See how unwilling he was to say, "If God give His help, then it would be possible;" and yet the Psalmist thus addresses God: "Be Thou my helper, forsake me not;" [1587] where of course help is not sought for procuring bodily advantages and avoiding bodily evils, but for practising and fulfilling righteousness. Hence it is that we say: "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." [1588] Now no man is assisted unless he also himself does something; assisted, however, he is, if he prays, if he believes, if he is "called according to God's purpose;" [1589] for "whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren. Moreover, whom He did predestinate, them He also called; and whom He called, them He also justified; and whom He justified, them He also glorified." [1590] We run, therefore, whenever we make advance; and our wholeness runs with us in our advance (just as a sore is said to run [1591] when the wound is in process of a sound and careful treatment), in order that we may be in every respect perfect, without any infirmity of sin whatever, -- a result which God not only wishes, but even causes and helps us to accomplish. And this God's grace does, in co-operation with ourselves, through Jesus Christ our Lord, as well by commandments, sacraments, and examples, as by His Holy Spirit also; through whom there is hiddenly shed abroad in our hearts [1592] that love, "which maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered," [1593] until wholeness and salvation be perfected in us, and God be manifested to us as He will be seen in His eternal truth. Footnotes: [1587] Psalm 27:9. [1588] Matthew 6:13. [1589] Romans 8:28. [1590] Romans 8:29, 30. [1591] Psalm 77:2. [1592] Romans 5:5. [1593] Romans 8:26. |
    |