There are people in this world who seem to address every disagreement with their religious views by claiming that it is rooted in heresy somehow, and they always seem to imply that the other guy is the heretic. It is a way of insisting on conformity with their views.
Jesus does not work this way. Nor does the Holy Spirit. Nor did the ancient apostles.
We should instead, as you have also encouraged, exhort all to come to Christ, receive those He has sent, follow His example in meekness, humility, and kindness, and let His light shine through us.
Matthew 11:28-30Thanks for all your good posts and your fine example in this regard!
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear [also translated "reverence"]:
***Jesus does not work this way. Nor does the Holy Spirit. Nor did the ancient apostles.
We should instead, as you have also encouraged, exhort all to come to Christ, receive those He has sent, follow His example in meekness, humility, and kindness, and let His light shine through us.***
18 - My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join.
19 - I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the fcommandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.”
20 He again forbade me to join with any of them;
Joseph Smith
***and they always seem to imply that the other guy is the heretic.***
Hmmmmm......
But at the same time it is understandable because many have placed all their faith in a particular doctrine crafted by a mortal, and they would naturally presume that there is only one Truth and therefore they must be right and everyone else must be wrong.
Indeed, there is only one Truth but Christ has allowed us a certain degree of freedom the limits of which are outlined in His commendations and condemnations of the churches in Revelation. He selected apostles with very much different personalities and allowed them to dispute one another and spread the Gospel even further (Acts). He could have easily selected only one personality type and/or settled the disputes among them.
And when I look at various Christian denominations today, I perceive a common belief in Jesus and stark differences on the doctrines. On the one end are the Eastern Orthodox who eschew doctrine and on the other end, the Roman Catholics who add tradition on par with Scripture.
It is like a village where a seeker can find a home which is comfortable to him personally, while he learns of Christ and allows the Spirit to lead him to Truth. So despite all the grumbling and crossfire, I believe it all works together for the good. (Romans 8)