In Augustine’s words, before the Fall we were free both to sin and not to sin. But between the Fall and redemption the only freedom left to us is freedom to sin. When we are redeemed, the grace of God works in us, leading our will from the miserable state in which it found itself to a new state in which freedom is restored, so that we are now free both to sin and not to sin. Finally, in the heavenly home, we shall still be free, but only free not to sin.

