Judging ?

Looking back on that historically, we see that most, if not all, of those punishments were due religion trying to hold onto its doctrine. Most Christian denominations and movements share common beliefs in the major aspects of the Christian faith, while differing in many secondary doctrines. Denominational doctrines make denominational members. The New Testament makes just Christians. We have to remember that the Bible is truth while doctrines are taught by man. I am a Christian FIRST. Secondary is the doctrines I rely on based on the Holy Spirit's conviction, not the Church's. No Church, No Denomination, No pastors or anyone can do this for me. There are many Christian cultures because there are Christians who will follow their conscience, feelings, beliefs and personal worship preferences. This is between God and each individual believer(s).

I have learned that judging is based on appearance and doctrines are man-centered more than God-center. We should all take a long hard look at what things we consider to be important from God's perspective rather than man's perspective. Every person must decide whether they will us their liberty to decide on their doctrinal beliefs. We are free, but our freedom does not mean we can know for SURE what is right and what is wrong. Doctrines sounds very good and simple but life is not so simple. There are Christians who are zealous for their "doctrines" and forget the sensitivity of others regarding certain topics. I will still fellowship and debate with my Christian brethren even though I may not agree with their beliefs. All beliefs about God are problematic. We are not to believe something that we dare not think over as John Calvin once said, "What we think about (God) of ourselves is but foolishness and all we can say about Him is without savour".

We may be disgusted with their beliefs or their lifestyles. We are often ready to condemn and turn away from them. But not Jesus, He keeps on loving them. During all of 3 years of His ministry, Jesus helped an "unworthy" person more than worthy. The great spiritual needs around us should drive us back to the gospel records of the life and ministry of our Lord Jesus. Do not have a "tunnel vision" based on brethren's beliefs alone. We need to look at their whole being. Their future, not their present living.

I like this quote:

Many people think that the mark of an authentic Christian is doctrinal purity; if a person's beliefs are biblical and doctrinally orthodox, then he is a Christian. People who equate orthodoxy with authenticity find it hard to even consider the possibility that, despite the correctness of all their doctrinal positions, they may have missed the deepest reality of the authentic Christian life. But we must never forget that true Christianity is more than teaching - it is a way of life. In fact, it is life itself. "He who has the Son has life," remember? When we talk about life, we are talking about something that is far more than mere morality, far more than doctrinal accuracy. Ray C. Stedman