An article of faith has value only if it has a bearing on the growth of the individual in godliness. Otherwise it has no value. No eternal life proceeds from a correct understanding of what is true in the spirit realm.

For example, the prime "faith" of the Jews is that God is One. It appears that to the Jew there is no other belief that equals in importance the fact that God is One. Fundamental Judaism is constructed on this simple declaration of monotheism.

The concept that God is One is held also by the demons and they do not possess eternal life.

This is what Pastor James declared to his Jewish brothers:

The Pharisees adhered to the inspired Scriptures but they possessed no eternal life.

Belief in theological statements is not what the Scriptures mean by "faith." One can hold a correct understanding of the virgin birth, the blood atonement, and the triumphant bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and still be dead in sin.

The demons understand theological facts perfectly. They realize that Jesus is the Holy One of God and that Paul revealed the true way of salvation.

The current understanding of "the righteous shall live by faith" is, "the righteous will hold fast their understanding of doctrine." This is error. Holding a correct understanding of doctrine never has and never will bring eternal life to anyone. When we act on correct doctrine and seek the Presence of Jesus in all situations, then we enter eternal life.

The statement of faith is dear to the heart of the Christian denomination. This is one reason why denominations have such difficulty in moving with the cloud and the fire. Denominations have a huge investment in their doctrinal positions, their seminaries, their books. Denominations stand for a statement of faith.

It often is true that when the Lord revives His Church by bringing it closer to Himself He increases our understanding of the Scriptures. The Pentecostal revival is an example of an increase of understanding as well as of available spiritual experience.

Denominations find such change terribly threatening. Ordinarily they react against doctrinal change, not necessarily because the change obviously is unscriptural but because of the ego injury that results—the embarrassment of having been incomplete in their understanding.

Christian people often refuse to admit that anyone could have a greater understanding of spiritual truth than they. When you think about it, isn't this ridiculous? The outworking of such spiritual pride in rage and division among the brothers is tragic.

God is moving today in an increase of spiritual knowledge. Again we are faced with the fact that we have not known everything there is to know. Do we move ahead with God, or do we refuse to admit that we could have been incomplete in our understanding and begin to furiously charge our brothers with heresy?

To be continued.