Just as Augustine discerns the truth about himself, so too must we all come to that understanding. We—those who profess and venerate God, raise our voices in prayer, and seek His mercy—should feel shame over actions that are unbecoming, contrary to His glory, and detrimental to ourselves. This shame should invoke fear, for as Scripture declares, “our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29).
Consider this: if one feels embarrassment to misbehave in front of other humans, how much more so should one feel it before God! Though we cannot visually perceive Him, He observes us, scrutinizing our actions, efforts, and thoughts while hearing every word we utter. “He that formed the ear, doth He not hear? And He that created the eye, doth He not see?” (Psalm 93:9, etc.). A king feels insulted by disorderly conduct from his subjects; a master by his servants; a parent by his children. This truth is apparent to all of us. Believer! Reflect and remember that God is similarly offended when humanity, particularly those who profess His name, commit transgressions under His holy gaze. Your unrighteous actions mock His truth, your deceit betrays His integrity, your impurity wounds His holiness, your malice contradicts His goodness, your anger defies His gentleness, and your hatred wounds His love.
What a grave matter it is to provoke the Great, Good, and Compassionate God! Who are we—mere dust and flesh—to insult our Creator, Redeemer, Protector, Nourisher, our ultimate Benefactor, who bestows upon us daily gifts without which we cannot survive? It is indeed serious and even terrifying to provoke Him! Those who offend will face His righteous judgment if they do not turn away from their ways. While God is patient, merciful, and desires repentance from the sinner, His anger towards unrepentant hearts will ultimately be evident.
You feel ashamed and afraid before your earthly king, master, or father—not only regarding acts of immorality but also in speaking trivial words or laughing. Yet before God, the All-Seeing and Awesome Sovereign, there is a discrepancy; you are unashamed in glancing at frivolous words, laughing, and indulging in egregious sins: fornication, adultery, kidnapping, theft, lying, slander, gossip, condemnation, curse, and other disgraceful acts. O believer! If you engage in such behaviors, avert your gaze. Feel ashamed, knowing that you confess the Omnipresent, True, Almighty, Righteous God, who cares for your well-being and rewards everyone according to their actions. It is spiritually blind and impoverished to be ashamed to commit wrongdoings in the sight of fellow humans while remaining indifferent in the presence of the omnipresent and all-knowing God. Oh! If only a person could glimpse even a fraction of God's dreadful glory, they would fall to the ground, confronted with their shame and recognizing how they offend the source of their life and blessings, weeping inconsolably.
It is written of the wicked, ‘they have not set God before them’ (Psalm 53:5), which allows them to engage in lawlessness without shame. Believer! You must carry the awareness of God in your heart, understanding that wherever you go, in everything you undertake, and in every word you speak, He is with you. Always strive to see Him with a perceptive heart, as the psalmist asserts, “I have always set the Lord before me” (Psalm 15:8). So, recognizing His presence, humble yourself before Him, repent and mourn for your past sins, your shameless actions, and careless words, and seek His forgiveness, frequently repeating: “I have sinned, Lord, have mercy on me!” Therefore, let it be your resolve to be ashamed and fearful before Him, to avoid disorder, and to honor His sacred commandments, lest you recognize His chastening hand upon you, and in the shame of the world, feel the burden of your disgrace. “Look, hear me, O Lord my God, and enlighten my eyes, lest I fall asleep in death; lest my enemy say, ‘I have prevailed against him’” (Psalm 12:4-5). “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things from Your law. I am a stranger on earth; do not hide Your commandments from me. My soul longs for Your judgments at all times” (Psalm 118:18-20). “Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thoughts afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways” (Psalm 138:1-3).
THEOSIS