Arguing about theology used to be a lot of fun for me. I enjoy a good debate as it is, but the idea that eternal life was at stake made the sparring even more exciting for me.
Then the years passed, and I saw how my theology had changed over time. I don't believe exactly the way I did when I was 7, or 17, or 37. Thank goodness! I also understood that even though my theology had changed over the years, the status of my salvation hadn't. In other words, just because I didn't comprehend one point of doctrine at one point in time didn't mean I was going to hell during that period in my life.
This realization led me to give a lot of grace to those who believe differently from me. I used to condemn entire groups of people to hell, now I take a softer stance. They may be wrong. I may be wrong. More important then the fine details is love. "The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." 1 Timothy 1:5 NIV
We are not saved through a perfect theology. We are save "by grace, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God." Ephesians 2:8 NIV
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