THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
What is this? Are those who claim there is no God inherently wicked? And has God overlooked their condition? Or would their innermost thoughts have been made known to us if He had not chosen to reveal them? If He had indeed comprehended their words, if He had seen what was said? The query arises from the perspective of the ignorant. God gazes down from Heaven and, as if having discovered what He sought, He renders His verdict: All have turned away; together they have become worthless; there is none who does good, not even one (Psalm 52:4). Two questions emerge that may be challenging: if God observes from Heaven to find any who understand or seek Him, how can one entertain the notion that God is unaware of all things? This forms one inquiry. What is the second?
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If there is no one who does good, or very few, who suffers among the wicked? The first question finds resolution here: often Scripture speaks of how what God’s creation accomplishes by His grace, God acknowledges as His own work. Hence, it is also stated, For the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God (1 Cor. 2:10); not because He who knows all investigates them, but because the Spirit, bestowed upon you, compels you to explore them. What you achieve through His grace is attributed to Him, for without Him, you could not accomplish anything. Thus, it is said that God acts when you act. As you walk by this divine gift, God observes from Heaven the children of men. Consequently, the first question reaches a resolution in this manner.