There is a knowledge of the truth, as it is in Jesus, and as it is in every Christ-like nature, in that sweet, mild, humble and loving spirit of our Divine Lord, which spreads itself, like the beams of the morning sun, on some fair outlying fields, in the souls of true Christians, full of light and life. It profits little, we need to be often reminded, to know Christ in creeds and profession of faith, and in forms and outward devotion; but to have His Holy Spirit who searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God, at work within our hearts, is of value beyond words to express. There is an inward power, life and beauty in divine truth which cannot be fully known by us till we digest it into the daily life and practice. We may talk of God, and Christ, but they are only names, dry and profitless words, till they are unfolded in our hearts and lives in their significance to us, and our spiritual needs. Observe how our Lord himself tested true acquaintance with the Gospel and salvation in doing God's will: If any man will do the will of Him, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God; this is what alone will make us, as Saint Peter says, to be neither empty, nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Be assured that a sensual heart and a worldly mind cannot relish the excellency and sweetness of Divine truth: that truth says, The sensual man perceiveth not these things that are of the Spirit of God, for it is foolishness to him, and he cannot understand, because it is spiritually examined. Corrupt passions, and worldly affections, warp our understandings, mislead our judgments, and disturb holy and calm thoughts. See what your first care in the morning should be, and your most earnest prayer in the day: Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Beware of a form of godliness with out the power.
- text taken from Daily Bread - Bring a Few Morning Meditations for the Use of Catholic Christians by Father Richard Waldo Sibthorp