Practical advice from Newman

Another great little piece from my readings....

Obedience to God's commandments, which implies knowledge of sin and holiness, and the desire and endeavor to please him, this is the only practical interpreter of Scripture doctrine. Without self-knowledge you have no root in yourselves personally; you may endure for a time but under affliction or persecution your faith will not last. This is why many in this age (and in every age) become infidels, heretics, schismatics, disloyal despisers of the Church. They cast off the form of truth, because it has never been to them more than form. They endure not, because they never have tasted that the Lord is gracious; and they never have had experience of his power and love, because they have never known their own weakness and need (Blessed John Henry Newman).

It seems to me that the opening thought does not get adequate emphasis in contemporary Christianity: Obedience to God's commandments.... is the only practical interpreter of Scripture doctrine.

And where do we hear much today about "infidels, heretics, schismatics, disloyal despisers of the Church"?  We live in the midst of great seduction....