In mainstream Christianity, when we try and correct someone with the bible and show them what the word of God says, some are quick to go on the defensive especially when what you say goes against what they are being taught and what they believe.

That’s when the “Who are you to judge me?” comes out. Even my own mother told me that we serve the same God but in different ways. We were taught to be "opened-minded" and to tolerate other people’s beliefs and ideas. In a democratic and "multicultural" society, this approach has its merits, for people do not want someone else's religion or other ideas forced down their throats.

 But there is a grave danger in this approach. Although it is good to be kind and to be "tolerant" of others' ideas and religions, this approach can very easily degenerate into religious confusion—into a situation where millions of people begin to assume that there are no absolute truths, and that God will put up with anything and anybody.

http://www.theisraelofgod.com/

(Pro 3:5) Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

If you truly believe in the God of the Bible, you must believe that there is absolute truth. For the inspired Word of God clearly indicates this, again and again. In our desire to be "nice" or "tolerant," we may unwittingly water down our entire concept of right and wrong.

 In this "tolerant" spirit, some assume that all religions are equal—that God has not revealed unique truth through His Word or through Jesus Christ.

 However, if you truly believe the Bible, you will understand that this is wrong.

Even the Apostle Paul—whom many think of as expanding the Christianity that Jesus preached—gave a pointed reminder to the uncircumcised Gentiles of Ephesus, describing their condition before coming into the Truth:

(Eph 2:12) That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.

This same message is for the world today, whether you are a Gentile, Hamite, or Shemite you are without God if you don’t repent and come up out of this Roman Christianity and stop serving man and start serving God. How would that message be received in today's "tolerant" society?

There is a vast difference between presenting what you believe to be true, and denouncing others and what they believe.  Jesus presented the truth; if others had ears to hear and hearts to recieve, that was great; if not, He moved on to other audiences and/or other subjects.  He didn't try to cram truth down anyone's throat. 

We also need to remember that Paul commended the Bereans for being both Open-minded and diligent to study scripture to verify what was true.  Being open-minded doesn't imply that there is no truth or no absolutes; rather, it implies that one recognizes that one could be wrong and that there might be more to learn.  Being open-minded is a fruit of humility, recognizing that "I could be wrong."  The Bereans eagerly recieved what Paul shared even though it was radically different than what they had always believed and been taught. 

We also need to remember what Jesus told the disciples when they found another person ministering in the name of Jesus who was not part of their group.  In essence He told them to leave the man alone recognizing that if the man isn't against them, then he's on their side. 

We also need to remember that there is a great diversity of gifts, talents, ministries, and callings in the body of Christ, not to mention a great difference in customs, cultures, heritage, traditions, structures, and even understandings of scripture. 

So let's be careful to walk in love, grace, humility, and integrity.  If we live this way, then when we share what we believe to be true, others will be able to recieve it easier, if it rings true to them.  If they don't recieve what we have to share, let's let the Lord be the judge as to why they did not recieve it, whether it's because I'm mistaken or they're mistaken. 

That might work with man but I guarantee you it will not fly with God.

 In decrying lawlessness, Jesus was talking about mankind's failure to keep God's spiritual Law, the Ten Commandments.

Many churches today give "lip service" to the commandments just as the word of God prophesied they would; (Eze.33:30-32) (v.31) Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD. (v.31) And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. (v.32) And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.

You hear what thus saith the Lord but you aren’t going to do it. Oh, it sounds like a very lovely song and a pleasant voice when you hear it, you hear what the word of God says but you do them not. Some churches are quick to say we teach and keep the commandments but their members become some what confused if they are reminded that the fourth commandment directly tells us to worship God on the seventh day of the week, which we know as Saturday not the ancient, pagan "day of the sun, Sunday. "Oh, but that's too strict," some will say. "We don't need to take Jesus' statement so seriously." Really? Perhaps we should not take Jesus' statements about not killing so seriously, either.

Perhaps we should not take Jesus' prohibition of lying so seriously.

Perhaps we should not take so seriously His condemnation of wanting divorce (except for the very few strict biblical exceptions). What about “Thou shall not steal”? Maybe we shouldn’t take that so seriously either? Right? Of course not!

About the OP:

I've also heard people say that there are different ways of serving God, but if that were true, then we wouldn't even have the bible. And it tells me that the way to serve God is through the spiritual gifts HE gives us and use them to bring for the edification of the body of Christ and bring HIM glory, not ourselves. It aint about us.  

One thing I think we tend to forget is that God is love and those who love people are known by Him. It'd be pretty difficult to serve God if we're going around hating people, holding grudges, being bitter and hostile, ect, ect. (1 John 3:14-15, 4:7-8, 17). Also, serving God means to walk in love and not in darkness (Ephesians 5:1-7).

Openmindedness isn't even biblical for the christian. Why? Take a look at what 2 Tmothy 2:4-5 says, for starters. We won't win unless we live our lives according to what GOD says in the bible, not what people say. In the end, we all will give an account to Him for ourselves. Furthermore, I like the fact that the truth doesn't need to be argued into someone in order for that person to believe it. God says though heaven and earth will pass away, His words will not and we will readp what we sow.  

Besides, Jesus said that God is spirit and those who worship Him must do so in spirit and truth (John 4:24). So clearly, wouldn't it only make sense to serve God in the same way?  

ozell, I agree with much of what you are sharing here, and your "signature" is also nice to see:



However, for some strange reason, people often seem to think that these "commandments" that Jesus is referring to here have nothing to do with the specific things He taught, that what He's really talking about is just basically a reminder to follow the ten commandments.

Here are some of Jesus' actual commandments that usually cause quite a bit of controversy when people begin to realize what it means for them:

"If anyone of you wishes to be my follower, you must forsake all that you have, sell all of your possessions, and give the money to the poor..." (Luke 11, 12, and 14).

Or this commandment:

"No one can serve two masters---you can not work for God and money". (Mt 6).

These kind of teachings will definitely sort out the "salad-bar christians" from those that at least TRY to follow Jesus, wouldn't you say?

I have been in several Luby's and Furr's Cafeteria on Sunday. On many occasions I have seen people from other churches that I know picking what they want for Sunday dinner. Some like the diet platter. They do not need to eat much. When it comes to the Christian faith, I want the whole platter. (I like getting roast beef with roasted potatoes along with buttered green beans or corn on the cob lathered in butter."   

I do not have a big enough stomach. BTW I have to leave room for apple or cherry pie.