THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
The Scriptures provide insight into the relationship between divine law and grace as it pertains to human nature: For by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the law comes the knowledge of sin. Nevertheless, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been manifested, to which the law and the prophets bear witness (Rom. 3:20,21). When it is stated that this righteousness has been revealed, it underscores that it existed previously, yet it was as elusive as the dew sought by Gideon, which was not perceived on the fleece but has now become evident everywhere. Since the law, devoid of grace, could neither abolish nor diminish sin, let us read, ‘But the sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law’ (1 Cor. 15:56).
Read more (458 words)
Many, fleeing from the grip of sin, seek shelter in grace, which is now abundantly available, whereas only a few turned to it when it was once as hidden as dew on a fleece. This distinction between the two ages reflects the heights of divine wisdom and the profound depths of God’s understanding, as it is proclaimed, Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! (Rom. 11:33).
Gideon, a faithful figure from the past, sought a confirmation from the Lord a second time with the following plea: If you intend to deliver Israel by my hand as you have spoken, behold, I will place a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; if the dew is found only on the fleece while the rest of the ground remains dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have spoken. And it came to pass: the following day, he rose early, wrung out the fleece, and extracted a full cup of water from the dew. For God grants grace to the humble (1 Pet. 5:5). You are well aware of what the Lord performed for His disciples at the basin (See Jn. 13:19). Once more, Gideon appealed to the Lord for another sign, saying, Do not be angry with me, but please allow me to test the fleece once more; let it remain dry on the fleece only, while there is dew on all the ground. God responded that night: the fleece was dry while the rest of the earth was covered with dew. Observe that in the times of the Old Testament, grace was concealed like rain hidden in a cloud, like dew on wool. Now consider the New Testament era. In relation to the Jewish people, they appear now as dry wool, while the entirety of the world is likened to ‘the whole earth’ and filled with grace that is freely available. Thus, we find it lamentable that they resist the revealed grace that is no longer obscured. Yet, let us pray for the Jews. But what of the Christians? Why have you become adversaries of the grace of Christ? Why do you depend on your own strength? Why do you show ingratitude? What was the purpose of Christ’s coming? Was human nature not present before, which you only mislead with excessive flattery? Was the law not already in existence? However, the apostle states, But if righteousness comes by the law, then Christ is dead in vain (Galatians 2:21). What the apostle expresses regarding the law, we can also articulate about human nature: if justification were obtainable through nature alone, then Christ died in vain.