Truth Hidden When Not Sought After

“Nothing is more common than to think that we shall gain religious knowledge as a thing of course, without express trouble on our part. Though there is no art or business of this world which is learned without time and exertion, yet it is commonly conceived that the knowledge of God and our duty will come as if by accident or by a natural process. Men go by their feelings and likings; they take up what is popular, or what comes first to hand. They think it much if they now and then have serious thoughts, if they now and then open the Bible; and their minds recur with satisfaction to such seasons, as if they had done some very great thing, never remembering that to seek and gain religious truth is a long and systematic work. They say that religious truth is simple and easily acquired; that Scripture, being intended for all, is at once open to all; and that if it had difficulties, that very circumstance would be an objection to it.

In these and other ways do men deceive themselves into a carelessness about religious truth. And is not all this varied negligence sufficient to account for the varieties of religious opinion which we see all around us? Do not these two facts illustrate each other: the discordance of our religious opinions needing some explanation, and our actual indolence and negligence in seeking the truth accounting for it?

No one who does not seek the truth with all of his heart and strength can tell what is of importance and what is not. ‘Seek, and you will find’ (Mt 7:7); this is the Divine rule. ‘If you cry out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God’ (Prv 2:3-5).

This is a subject which cannot too strongly be insisted on. Act up to your light, though in the midst of difficulties, and you will be carried on, you do not know how far. Abraham obeyed the call and journeyed, not knowing whither he went. So we, if we follow the voice of God, shall be brought on step by step into a new world, of which before we had no idea. This is his gracious way with us: he gives, not all at once, but by measure and season, wisely. ‘To him who has will more be given’ (Mt 13:12). But we must begin at the beginning. Each truth has its own order; we cannot learn advanced truths before we have learned primary ones. ‘Call to me,’ says the divine Word, ‘and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things which you have not known’ (Jer 33:3). Religious men are always learning; but when men refuse to profit by light already granted, their light is turned to darkness. Observe our Lord’s conduct with the Pharisees. They asked him on what authority he acted. He gave them no direct answer, but referred them to the mission of John the Baptist: ‘The baptism of John., where was it from? From heaven or from men?’ (Mt 21:27). That is, they would not profit by knowledge they already had from St. John the Baptist, who spoke of Christ, therefore no more was given them.

All of us may learn a lesson here, for all of us are in danger of hastily finding fault with others and condemning their opinions or practices, not considering that unless we have faithfully obeyed our conscience and improved our talents, we are no fit judges of them at all. Christ and his saints are alike destitute of form or comeliness in the eyes of the world, and it is only as we labor to change our nature, through God’s help, and to serve him truly, that we begin to discern the beauty of holiness.

There must be a right and a wrong, and no matter whether others agree with us or not, it is to us a solemn practical concern not to turn away our ears from the truth. Let not the diversity of opinion in the world dismay you, or deter you from seeking all your life long true wisdom. It is not a search for this day or that, but as you should ever grow in grace, so should you ever grow also in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Care not for the perplexing question which many will put to you, ‘How can you be sure that you are right more than others?’ Others are nothing to you, if they are not holy and devout. And we all know what is meant by being holy; we know whom we should call holy. To be holy is to be like an apostle. Seek truth in the way of obedience; try to act up to your conscience, and let your opinions be the result, not of mere chance reasoning or fancy, but of an improved heart. This way carries with it an evidence to ourselves of its being the right way, if any way be right; and that there is a right and a wrong way conscience also tells us. God surely will listen to none but those who strive to obey him.

I know we shall find it very hard to rouse ourselves, to break the force of habit, to resolve to serve God and persevere in doing so. And assuredly we must expect, even at best, and with all our efforts, perhaps backslidings, and certainly much continual imperfection all through our lives, in all we do. But this should create in us a horror of disobedience, not a despair at overcoming ourselves. We are not under the law of nature, but under grace; we are not bid do a thing above our strength, because, though our hearts are naturally weak, we are not left to ourselves. According to the command, so is the gift. God’s grace is sufficient for us. Why, then, should we fear? Rather, why should we not make any sacrifice, and give up all that is naturally pleasing to us, rather than that light and truth should have come into the world, yet we not find them? Let us be willing to endure toil and trouble. And should times of comparative quiet be given to us, should for a while temptation be withdrawn, or the Spirit of comfort poured upon us, let us not inconsiderately rest in these accidental blessings. We live here to struggle and to endure. The time of eternal rest will come hereafter. ‘Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart’ (Ps 119:1-2).”

~John Henry Newman (from Waiting For Christ: Meditations for Advent and Christmas)