The importance of free will in determining one's destiny from "summary" of City of God by Saint Augustine (of Hippo)
The freedom of the will is so great a good that God himself does not compel it, though he can. And it is a good of such importance that when it is abused, a punishment proportioned to the abuse is deserved. For what can be more just than that he who has been unwilling to use his free will rightly should suffer for having used it wrongly? Indeed, the importance of free will in determining one's destiny cannot be overstated, for it is by the exercise of this freedom that we either choose to adhere to God and live in accordance with His will, or turn away from Him and succumb to the temptations of the flesh. This power of the will, which is rightly called free, is so great that it can even turn against itself and carry itself down to destruction if it chooses to do so. However, this same power can also elevate itself to the highest good, to God himself, if it directs itself towards Him with a pure and sincere heart. Therefore, the destiny of each individual ultimately rests on the choices they make with their free will. It is not predetermined by fate or by any external force, but rather by the decisions that one makes in the exercise of their own volition. In the City of God, Augustine emphasizes the importance of free will in the context of the eternal city of God and the earthly city of man. Those who choose to follow the path of righteousness and seek after God will find themselves citizens of the heavenly city, where they will enjoy eternal happiness and peace in the presence of God. On the other hand, those who choose to indulge in sin and turn away from God will be citizens of the earthly city, where they will face the consequences of their actions and suffer the punishments that they deserve. Therefore, the importance of free will lies in the fact that it is through the exercise of this freedom that we determine our destiny and shape our eternal future. God has given us the gift of free will so that we may choose to love Him and follow His commandments, and it is up to us to make the right choices and align our will with His divine will. In doing so, we can attain the ultimate goal of human life – union with God and eternal happiness in His presence.
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