Chapter 31.—Faith Itself is the Gift of God; And Good
Works Will Not Be Wanting in Those Who Believe.
And lest men should arrogate to
themselves the merit of their own faith at least, not understanding
that this too is the gift of God, this same apostle, who says in
another place that he had “obtained mercy of the Lord to be
faithful,” here also
adds: “and that not of yourselves; it is the gift
of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” And lest
it should be thought that good works will be wanting in those who
believe, he adds further: “For we are His workmanship, created in
Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that
we should walk in them.” We shall be made truly free, then, when God fashions us, that is, forms and creates us anew, not as men—for He has done that already—but as good men, which His grace is now doing, that we may be a new creation in Christ Jesus, according as it is said: “Create in me a clean heart, O God.” For God had already created his heart, so far as the physical structure of the human heart is concerned; but the psalmist prays for the renewal of the life which was still lingering in his heart.