Being Right and But Getting it Wrong

I've come across a number of posts and a few conversations recently regarding theology or liturgy or Biblical interpretation that really boil down to, "You've got it wrong" and summarily anathematizes the accused. Perhaps you've seen it on the web: Which Bible translation, liturgy book, worship style, or type of song is *really* okay to use. Who is *really* a priest or pastor. Which sacraments offered by whom are *really* valid. Who is *really* a Christian. Or who is *really* Catholic or Orthodox or Apostolic or Saved or Spirit Filled.

(Examples: here, here, and here for instance.)

I recognize the need for discerning what is good and right, for lifting up what is Holy, and for searching out He who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. These are positive things. They build up others in love and truth. Many of the discussions I mention have nothing to offer as contributions, but rather only serve to tear one another apart. Remember, the Spirit, through St. Paul says to the Galatians (5:14-21, NRSV) and to us:

"For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment,

‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ 

If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."    (emphasis is mine)

Have we lost faith in God's grace? Tell me, what errors or sins is God unable to cover? And which one of us is perfect? And if we believe we are perfect, is it not Christ in us that has made us so, and this by grace and not of our own doing so that we cannot boast? Have we attained all that God has wanted for us in an instant, or has God been patient with each of us, calling repeatedly, and forgiving incessantly as we were changed, over time, more and more into the likeness of Christ?

From looking at some of our arguments with each other, it seems we believe God to be the underdog! We act as though we, not God, had better sort things out, because God can't or won't or doesn't know what he is really doing around here. Do we *really* think that the Almighty needs us to defend him? Christ could have chosen to say "you are the gladiators and centurions of Truth," but he didn't. He used the image a city on a hill and lamp on a lamp stand (Matt. 5:14-15). 

Instead, let us be the likeness of Christ to one another. Let us not condemn since Christ came not to condemn the world but to save it (John 3:17). Let us live in love, as Christ loved us (Eph. 5:2). Let God's grace be the truth and the righteousness we proclaim to one another and not bind each other in a new Law.