Chapter 36. Love Commended By Our Lord Himself (continued)
CHAPTER 37.
THE LOVE WHICH FULFILS THE COMMANDMENTS
IS NOT OF OURSELVES, BUT OF GOD
All these commandments, however, respecting love or charity (which are so great, and such that whatever action a man may think he does well, is by no means done well if it is done without love) would be given to men in vain, if they did not have free choice of will. But inasmuch as these precepts are given in the law, both old and new,11 from what source is there in men, the love of God and of one’s neighbour, if not from God Himself? For indeed, if it is not from God but from men, then the Pelagians have gained the victory. But if it comes from God, then we have vanquished the Pelagians. Let then the Apostle John sit in judgment between us; and let him say to us, “Beloved, let us love one another.”1Joh 4.7 Now, when they begin to extol themselves on these words of John, and ask why this precept is addressed to us at all, if we do not have it in ourselves to love one another, the same apostle proceeds at once (to their confusion) to add this, “For love is of God!” It is not of ourselves, therefore, but it is of God. Why then is it said, “Let us love one another, for love is of God,”1Joh 4.7 unless it is said as a precept to our free will, admonishing it to seek the gift of God? Now, this would be a thoroughly fruitless admonition indeed if the will did not previously receive some donation of love, which might seek to be enlarged so as to fulfil whatever command was laid upon it. When it is said, “Let us love one another,” it is law; when it is said, “For love is of God,” it is grace. For God’s “wisdom carries law and mercy upon her tongue.”Prov 3.16 Accordingly, it is written in the Psalm, “For He who gave the law will give blessings.”12