Monday, October 21, 2013

As Joel Osteen writes yet one more “best seller” to be read by millions of “Christians” perhaps we should take a hard look at reality.

The reality is that most American church-goers need to grow in a sense of their unworthiness, not their supposed worthiness. They need to see what the old Puritan writers called “the exceeding sinfulness of sin.” Then perhaps we would see how much we need the Savior. Being forgiven much, we would love much.

The mark of biblical love is self-sacrifice, not self-esteem.

6 comments:

  1. Best sellers do appeal to the flesh, which is what makes them wildly popular; if we forget our own wretchedness, if we fail to mortify sin daily, we will be in line to buy books penned by the likes of Osteen.

    Self-sacrifice isn't seen much today, dying to self isn't preached on. Decreasing so that He may increase is a foreign concept to many Christians. Being in the world and not of it is hard to fathom. Until God takes you to the end of 'self', you will never comprehend what dying means, nor will you comprehend what living for Christ alone means. We can all recite verses concerning this, we claim to have a grasp on their meaning, but we simply cannot understand until it's been made a reality in us by trials sent to refine, to chasten, to remove the dross.
    Christianity in America is made easy, no deep, in-depth preaching and teaching, no crying out in our 'prayer closets' for understanding, no painstaking pleas to 'do with me what seems good to you Lord'. Christianity in America keeps God at a distance, using a very long pole to push back any attempt to go deeper. There is a form of godliness, but there is NO power in their speech, lives, and actions. This describes Christianity in America, for it is superficial, shallow, and idolatrous.

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  2. amen and AMEN. It is a narrow road that continues to grow even more narrow as we walk with the LORD. It is a difficult, hard road and not one that is easily traveled. Failing and falling, all to often, groaning instead of grinning and glorifying the LORD is present in all of us. It is a journey which I would not trade for all this world has to offer, but trials they are many, and stumbling a daily occurrence.

    I have not yet walked on water.

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  3. ali, I do love these words of yours, " It is a journey which I would not trade for all this world has to offer"- amen sister. The narrow way is difficult indeed, it is restrictive in that we cannot drag our love of self down this road, nor can we drag our love of the world with us as we journey. The longer we travel on this road, the more narrow it becomes. We leave a trail of garbage shed alongside the road as we travel. We become 'lighter' as we go; Christ becomes more precious and self becomes more repulsive. Being heavenly -minded is such a blessing, it can only be wrought in us by God and His word through His Spirit as He teaches us.

    I too have not yet walked on water, but, one day, you and I will 'walk on streets of gold', in unison, rejoicing in our God, singing praises! I remember a pastor preaching from Zephaniah once, concerning the Lord singing over His children. I cannot get that sermon or that passage out of my head, 'The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.' Zeph. 3:17 What a glorious day that will be! To hear Jehovah God singing, the voice of all voices, with a melody like no other. What a blessing we are in for!
    May He, by His amazing love and strength, take us and lead us into the way everlasting.

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  4. Thanks Lyn. The older I get the more anxious I am becoming to be with our LORD. Knowing my sins, past, present and future are nailed to the tree bring great peace and comfort when I stumble and fall into the mud once again, wondering if I will ever learn, knowing my journey is ongoing until I am at last with Him.

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  5. Osteen is one of the greatest heretics of all time and has gotten that way by making people feel good rather than alerting them to their problem with sin. After all, talking about sin makes people feel bad, according to Osteen.

    According to the Word of God, talking about sin is SUPPOSED TO make people feel bad - to make them realize their need for a savior. Those following Osteen will never know this need.

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  6. And with one of the largest congregation it is sad that he has such an opportunity to bring souls to Christ and has chosen instead to lead them over a cliff.

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