When you walk in the ways of the Lord, when you choose to follow Jesus, you learn to almost instinctively know what is of God and what is of man. The spirit of the Word of God, the teachings of Jesus are of love and forgiveness, not of hatred and punishment. They are inclusive and not exclusive. They are about growth, not stagnation.
In order to grow, we need to be feed - both physically and spiritually. Our bodies need proper nourishment - yes, the occasional chocolate bar won't harm us (unless we are diabetic or allergic), but we need to eat balanced meals or we face certain metabolic problems. The same is true of our spiritual needs. We need to focus on the Word of God, not the dogma taught in religions. Our spiritual well being can be jeopardized by too much of church doctrine. All things need to be balanced.
We are all sinners and came into this world as such. There is no "magic" eraser - there is only acceptance and forgiveness. In time, our physical bodies will age and weaken, but our soul, when properly nourished, will live forever in the company of the King. The promises of God, his mercy and grace, are resolute.
