There are two powers that chiefly fashion our characters, and through our characters our lives, and these two are the discipline which we undergo either from ourselves or from others or from circumstances, the light wherewith God enlightens our souls. We live in the midst of our fellows, and we catch from them peculiar habits of action, of feeling, of thought. But discipline is not the only power that forms us; there is another power that acts in another way, and that is the power of clear insight, the power given by the light of truth, whenever that light reaches the soul. The discipline of life is bound up with the discipline of the conscience, and each helps or hinders the other.
I. It is the light, it is the possession of the truth, that makes the man free. This light is necessary to crown all other inward gifts. I do not say that light is the highest gift; love is surely higher, and that humility which is the especial mark of love. But light is the gift which brings with it true freedom. Light is the gift which makes all other gifts have their fullest and best use. Even love needs light to do its work. How large a part of the uncharitableness of mankind is really due to the want of light. The fact is, that there is no such bondage as darkness. The darkness that hides the truth, more effectually robs the man of his real freedom, than even his weakness and want of desire to have that freedom.
II. Now, how does the light come, and can we do anything to bring it? The light of truth is in some degree like the light of heaven. It comes by God's ordinance for the most part, and not wholly by man's seeking. The pearl of great price was found by the man who was seeking goodly pearls. He sought for truth; and he found in the course of his search the one truth of all. But the treasure hid in a field was found by one who was not seeking at all. The truth was given in the course of God's providence, and looked as if it came by chance. No man can be certain of finding the great truth which shall light up his own individual life in a particular way, or at a particular time. All that can be said is, that to this case emphatically the promise applies, "He that seeketh, findeth." In other words, the first condition of finding the truth is that you shall wish to find it.
Bishop Temple, Rugby Sermons,3rd series, p. 149.
References: John 8:32. Contemporary Pulpit,vol. v., p. 104; vol. x., p. 193; G. Brooks, Five Hundred Outlines of Sermons,p. 399; Preacher's Monthly,vol. x., p. 39; Homiletic Magazine,vol. xii., p. 1; vol. xv., p. 102; E. de Pressensé, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xvi., p. 68. John 8:33. Clergyman's Magazine,vol. iii., p. 85.John 8:33-36. G. Salmon, Non-Miraculous Christianity,p. 206. John 8:33-48. Homiletic Magazine,vol. xvi., p. 2 2 John 1:8 :34. S. Baring Gould, One Hundred Sermon Sketches,p. 136; Preacher's Monthly,vol. ix., p. 103; Clergyman's Magazine,vol. iv., p. 88.