But all the while, there was one thing we most needed even from the start, and certainly will need from here on out into the New Jerusalem: the ability to take our freedom seriously and act on it, to live not in fear of mistakes but in the knowledge that no mistake can hold a candle to the love that draws us home. My repentance, accordingly, is not so much for my failings but for the two-bit attitude toward them by which I made them more sovereign than grace. Grace - the imperative to hear the music, not just listen for errors - makes all infirmities occasions of glory. Robert Farrar Capon
About This Quote

Augustinianism is the belief that all of life is a battle between good and evil. Because of this, Augustine saw no hope for humanity, but instead saw only despair. He believed that the only thing that would keep people from falling into sin was repentance. Repentance meant being willing to admit your failure and being willing to change.

It meant being humble about your mistakes so that you would not be tempted to repeat them. It meant admitting that you were powerless over your sins, rather than trying to control them through willpower alone. It meant learning to accept things for what they are instead of trying to make them what they are not.

Augustinianism is essentially about understanding that we are fallen, sinful creatures who are constantly struggling against our sinful nature. However, this does not mean that we should be defeated by our sinfulness. Instead, it means that we should recognize our sinfulness and give thanks for the fact that God has chosen to love us anyway.

We can choose to love Him back by giving thanks for His love in spite of all the things we do wrong and all the things we struggle with in our lives.

Source: Between Noon & Three: Romance, Law & The Outrage Of Grace

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