In applying these notions of*merit to*man's*relation to*God*it is especially*necessary*to keep in*mind*the fundamental*truth*that thevirtue*of*justice*cannot be brought forward as the basis of a real title for a Divine reward either in the*natural*or in the*supernatural order. The simple reason is that*God, being self-existent, absolutely independent, and sovereign, can be in no respect bound in*justice*with regard to his creatures. Properly speaking,*man*possesses*nothing of his own; all that he has and all that he does is a*gift of God, and, sinceGod*is*infinitely*self-sufficient, there is no advantage or benefit whichman*can by his services confer upon Him. Hence on the part of*Godthere can only be question of a gratuitous promise of reward forcertain*good*works. For such works He owes the promised reward, not in*justice*or equity, but solely because He has freely bound himself, i.e., because of His own*attributes*of*veracity*and fidelity. It is on this ground alone that we can speak of Divine*justice*at all, and apply the principle:*Do ut des*(cf.*St. Augustine, Serm.*clviii, c. ii, in P.L., XXXVIII, 863).
Acest citat din enciclopedia catolica ar trebui sa fie suficient pentru a te convinge ca nici teologia apuseana nu-si ingaduie a prezuma ca omul il poate "indatora" pe Dumnezeu.
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