Confessions - Book Xiii - Chapter Xxxviii
St. Augustine reflects on God's eternal goodness and the human journey from sin to sanctification through divine grace.
In this devotional sermon, St. Augustine meditates on the nature of God's eternal goodness and the human journey from sin to sanctification. He emphasizes the necessity of divine grace and the Spirit's role in renewing the heart. Augustine calls believers to seek God earnestly through prayer, recognizing that true understanding and rest are found only in Him.
Text
53. We can see all those things which thou hast made because they are--but they are because thou seest them.[654] And we see with our eyes that they are, and we see with our minds that they are good. But thou sawest them as made when thou sawest that they would be made.
And now, in this present time, we have been moved to do well, now that our heart has been quickened by thy Spirit; but in the former time, having forsaken thee, we were moved to do evil.[655] But thou, O the one good God, hast never ceased to do good! And we have accomplished certain good works by thy good gifts, and even though they are not eternal, still we hope, after these things here, to find our rest in thy great sanctification. But thou art the Good, and needest no rest, and art always at rest, because thou thyself art thy own rest.
What man will teach men to understand this? And what angel will teach the angels? Or what angels will teach men? We must ask it of thee; we must seek it in thee; we must knock for it at thy door. Only thus shall we receive; only thus shall we find; only thus shall thy door be opened.[656]
Sermon Outline
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I. Recognition of God's Eternal Goodness
- All creation reflects God's goodness
- God is always at rest and self-sufficient
- Human understanding is limited without divine revelation
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II. Human Condition and Sin
- Humans were once moved to do evil by forsaking God
- The heart is quickened by the Spirit to do good
- Good works are gifts from God but not eternal
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III. The Path to Sanctification
- Hope for eternal rest in God's sanctification
- Necessity of seeking God through prayer and faith
- Only God can open the door to true understanding
Key Quotes
“But thou art the Good, and needest no rest, and art always at rest, because thou thyself art thy own rest.” — St. Augustine
“We must ask it of thee; we must seek it in thee; we must knock for it at thy door.” — St. Augustine
“In the former time, having forsaken thee, we were moved to do evil.” — St. Augustine
Application Points
- Seek God earnestly through prayer to receive true understanding and grace.
- Recognize that all good works are gifts from God and strive for sanctification.
- Trust in God's eternal goodness as the foundation for spiritual rest and hope.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does St. Augustine mean by God being 'always at rest'?
He means that God is self-sufficient and does not need rest because He is perfect and complete in Himself.
How does Augustine describe human sinfulness?
He describes it as a state where humans were moved to do evil by forsaking God before being renewed by the Spirit.
What role does the Spirit play according to this sermon?
The Spirit quickens the human heart, enabling people to do good and move toward sanctification.
Why must we seek and knock at God's door?
Because true understanding and grace come only through actively seeking God in faith and prayer.