Should we get along with others, who beliefs may be different?

This was a topic in a recent Sunday School Lesson. I have been praying about this one for a while, now. I've been guilty in the past, of jumping to conclusions, or having what I said, taken in the wrong context. So, you see, I've witnessed both sides of the argument. Is there a happy medium, and is taking this happy medium, actually causing me to sit on the fense? These are some of the questions that I have asked myself and the LORD for a long time. The BIBLE is clear, that there are times, when we are to rebuke one another, if the doctrine does not align with the WORD. And yet, there are other times, that we can do more harm than good, in reacting to someone, whose beliefs may differ slightly from our own. GOD has a WAY, of showing us both these things, which makes perfect sense, once you understand the meaning. Today, I want to share part of this lesson, when dealing with the latter of the two ways. The first way, has been already laid out on this forum, under false teachers, false prophets, etc.

Mark 9:38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.

How often have we found ourselves in this position? Have we judged others without really knowing their heart? Or maybe we do know their heart, and an offensive position was taken, by our openness to show fault. The truth is that we often hurt others, because their belief may not align with what our belefs are. Sometimes, it is the ones we are closest to, that gets hurt. It is then, that we need to step aside, and let the LORD begin to deal with both of our hearts.

JESUS replies:

Mark 9:39 But JESUS said him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. 40 For he that is not against us is on our part. 41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. 42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. 43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: 48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 49 For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. 50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

Ouch! What JESUS said to HIS disciples must have stung them. It stung me. It made me realize that sometimes, it is better to hold ones tongue, than to hurt another Christian. Three times, JESUS spoke about worm that dieth not. HE said that the FIRE isn't quenched.

Think and pray about this, before speaking harshly to someone whose beliefs may differ from your own. The worm, represents sin, that has caused someone to doubt themselves, or caused sin to fester within them. The Fire can not be quenched, because of the damage that has been done. Believer's will be salted with fire (persecution).