Salvation Versus Knowledge

Greetings in the name of Jesus.

Dealing with people over the years, I find many with knowledge of the Word - without the Spirit of the Word. Many feel justified because of their knowledge and retention of the Word. We are justified by the Spirit of the Word, not the quotes or the memory verses we have achieved to memorize. We are in a day and hour of information, we have the big Google god at our finger tips, and we have much false and true information at our disposal every moment of everyday. We need discernment to decipher the information we are reading. Sad to say, many that are involved in church denominations put their trust in the leadership of that organization. They input the info without running it through the process of prayer and discernment. So, they add it to this mass data base of knowledge they call memory.

I Corinthians 8:1-3: “Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of him.”

Mark 7:6-9: “He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.”

A great man of God made a very powerful statement years ago. He said I would rather have a man with the wrong doctrine and the right spirit, than have one with the right doctrine and the wrong spirit. That statement is so true and accurate.

II Corinthians 13:5: “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”

Brothers and sisters, we spend a lot of time examining others. We need to look close at the things we believe and teach; and at the things we have stored in our minds and count it as doctrine. We look into a world of mass deception; we look at this denomination and this sect of people and say that they are in error. But we never consider our own selves.

James 1:22-27: “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”

Brothers and sisters, let’s make sure that we are in the faith; so many put their confidence in their church or their religious organizations that used to have godly men over them that were concerned for souls. I’m sorry to say that many of these denominations have fallen away and allowed an infiltration of secular, carnal things. Because of this, God has departed from many of these organizations. I know these great men of God who founded these organizations would be so heartbroken and vexed to see what has happened to their labors. You might be one that says, “Well, I’m involved in a non-denominational work.” My reply would be, “Pray and see if you be in the faith.” Many of the so-called nondenominational works have no oversight and have novices for preachers. I say all of this with fear before the Lord because I see so much over confidence in religious people - but I don’t see the Spirit of truth. When you are filled with the Holy Ghost you have the Spirit of truth. You may be a tongue talker. I’m not speaking against tongues. I’m talking about one that is filled with the Holy Ghost and has the power to come out of the world and be a separate people. Yes, I speak in tongues, and I know many that do, but they don’t have the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost will lead you into the truth and the truth will set you free.

God bless with love and fear of the Lord. I write this to you and I trust and pray that you will consider.

Pastor Rob Coones

This message, along with other printed and audio teachings by our pastor, Bro. Rob Coones, are available on our web site, and published for free distribution. For more copies, write to the address below, and state how many tracts you can wisely use.

Christian Temple Ministerial Association
3844 Mount Gilead Church Road
Sophia, NC 27350-8820 USA