We, however, on our side affirm that the human will is so divinely aided in the pursuit of righteousness, that (in addition to man's being created with a free-will, and in addition to the teaching by which he is instructed how he ought to live) he receives the Holy Ghost, by whom there is formed in his mind a delight in, and a love of, that supreme and unchangeable good which is God, even now while he is still walking by faith and not yet by sight; 2 Corinthians 5:7 in order that by this gift to him of the earnest, as it were, of the free gift, he may conceive an ardent desire to cleave to his Maker, and may burn to enter upon the participation in that true light, that it may go well with him from Him to whom he owes his existence. A mans free will, indeed, does not help at all except to sin, if he knows not the way of truth; and even after his duty and his proper aim shall begin to become known to him, unless he also take delight in and feel a love for it, he neither does his duty, nor sets about it, nor lives rightly. Now, in order that such a course may engage our affections, God's love is shed abroad in our hearts, not through the free-will which arises from ourselves, but through the Holy Ghost, which is given to us. [Romans 5:5] ~Augustine~ On the Spirit and the Letter, chapter 5

Augustine explores the relationship between law, grace, and human will, emphasizing that the law, by itself, does not enable a person to live righteously. Augustine’s main thesis is that God’s grace is essential for righteousness, and human effort cannot even partly fulfill the law's demands.

In Chapter 5, he underscores that even though we possess free will and the law instructs us in righteousness, these are insufficient without the inner transformation provided by the Holy Spirit. The law alone highlights what is right and wrong, but it lacks the power to instill a love for righteousness. This gap between knowledge of the law and a love for God’s will is where grace comes in. Augustine insists that righteousness cannot be achieved simply by human willpower or moral resolve; it requires God’s intervention to enable a genuine, heartfelt pursuit of goodness.

This chapter builds upon Augustine's broader argument by stating that:

1. Free Will Is Insufficient Alone: Free will, though present, is not enough to achieve righteousness, as it is innately inclined toward sin without the knowledge of God’s truth.
2. The Law Instructs But Does Not Transform: The law shows us what we ought to do but does not empower us to love or delight in it.
3. The Role of the Holy Spirit: True delight in God and a desire to cling to Him are only possible through the Holy Spirit’s work in our hearts. This desire is described as a divine gift, an “earnest” or deposit from God, igniting a deeper longing for Him.

In Augustine’s view, the "letter" (the law or external commandments) can guide us but ultimately brings awareness of our sinfulness and incapacity to follow it fully. The "Spirit," on the other hand, provides the inner transformation necessary to pursue the law in love. Augustine is arguing that true righteousness is when grace takes the primary role in initiating and sustaining a love for God. Our acts are always a response to what God, the Holy Spirit has worked inside of us. Any goodness in our actions flows from God’s transformative work inside of us. Our role is to respond in faith and obedience to this grace, but even this response is enabled by the Holy Spirit. In essence, Augustine sees grace as both the source and sustainer of all righteous action, making it clear that our will, though free, is dependent on God for any true, lasting love for righteousness. Thus, our acts of obedience become expressions of the divine love and desire for God that the Holy Spirit has placed within us, underscoring the idea that grace is foundational to true righteousness.

By "shedding God’s love abroad in our hearts," the Holy Spirit frees us from simply following the law out of obligation, transforming obedience into a heartfelt delight. Thus, Augustine concludes that the human will is free yet utterly dependent on God’s Spirit to fulfill the law genuinely. This message ties the entire treatise together: while the law is necessary to reveal sin and instruct us, only God’s Spirit enables us to love and obey God’s law with true joy.

Prayer

Gracious Father,
We come before You, acknowledging that any goodness in us is a gift of Your Spirit. Thank You for the love You have poured into our hearts through Your grace. We confess that, left to ourselves, we could not truly love or desire Your ways. Yet in Your mercy, You have not left us to ourselves. You have given us Your Spirit to transform our hearts and turn our will toward You.

Lord, may our acts of obedience be joyful responses to the work You are doing within us. Teach us to depend wholly on Your Spirit, trusting that it is Your grace that enables us to walk in righteousness. Stir within us a deeper love for You, a delight in Your ways, and a humble gratitude for the grace that sustains us.

We pray this in the name of Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer. Amen.