This summer I learned a lot from a friend. He was often quoting Augustine and Mother Teresa and the like to me during our many discussion of faith and the church.

One quote (from Augustine) that really jumped out at me was:
In the essentials - unity.
In the non-essentials - liberty.
And in everything - love.

Now, we all know that exact quote doesn't come directly from scripture. But I'm of the opinion that it's a good one nonetheless. And I think that the idea is definitely displayed in scripture. So with that said:

Too many times we get up ourselves about various "traditions" within the church that frankly don't matter. Traditions of, "smoking is wrong!" and "drinking is wrong" and "you have to serve communion every week!".

They cause disunity. (I'm not sure that's a word - but it is now.) Things that were never meant to cause division do.

I think it's time we start giving a little and not being so up ourselves and our theology that we write off anyone and everyone has a sinner merely because they don't adhere to the same convictions that we do.

Just because you think smoking is wrong doesn't make it a sin.
Just because you think swearing is wrong doesn't make it a sin.
Just because you think drinking is wrong doesn't make it a sin.

And on the same token, get off it when someone holds to their own convictions not to drink or smoke or cuss or [insert whatever here]. For some people it's permissable and for some it's not.

But when it comes down to it - it's not something that should divide.
So don't let it happen.

Freedom in Christ is something that we should be glad to have. But definitely not something to be waving around to excuse what we do. After all, it's not about you. It's ultimately about God.

Yeah, sure, you're free to do anything within the boundaries of the law given by God. But are the things you do pleasing to him?

"Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, for, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it." If some unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. But if anyone says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it, both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience' sake— the other man's conscience, I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be judged by another's conscience? If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for? So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everybody in every way.For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.-1 Corinthians 10:23-33