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 ra...
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