I do believe if I read another article written by a Christian bashing Joel Osteen or some other well known preacher I may just throw up.
With so many Christian “police” these days it’s a wonder anyone actually hears the true gospel.
Bloggers, preachers, theologians, along with a few car wash attendants, seem to know who’s telling the truth, and who isn’t.
Really?
Someone is bound to mention the scripture about contending for the faith. My answer is, “Do it! Contend for the faith! Tell people the truth about salvation, heaven, hell, homosexuality, greed, lust, pride, etc. Tell everyone.”
But you don’t need to try and destroy Someone else’s servant to get your point across. The Someone I’m referring to is Jesus.
“Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.” (Romans 14:4 NKJV)
You can not win someone to Jesus by ranting about what’s wrong with Jesus’ family.
One of the hot buttons these days is what a preacher says about homosexuality. If they act like someone from that particular church in Kansas, they are labeled nutty and a homophobe.
On the other hand, if they won’t make it an issue while being interviewed, they are liberal and next of kin to the antichrist.
But what if there’s a place in the middle; a place God Himself would like for us to stand?
Paul wrote: “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NKJV)
Apparently, Paul had a ministry that reached out to fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, homosexuals, sodomites, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, and extortioners. How else could he say, “and such were some of you…”
True, he was clear about who could, and couldn’t, inherit the Kingdom of God. But how did he reach the people who needed God’s touch?
Well?
I would like to believe he did it like Jesus did.
“Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, ‘This Man receives sinners and eats with them.'” (Luke 15:1-2 NKJV)
Heaven forbid! Jesus actually treated the sinners like people.
I’d venture to say if Jesus preached on TV there’d be some of the same folks writing blogs about Him and His liberal ways.
Christian police: how is YOUR ministry to the lost doing? Have YOU discovered a fullproof way of capturing the attention of the “lost” long enough to give them the truth of God’s salvation and Kingdom?
Well?
If not, maybe that would be something to seek God about.
Yes, the scriptures tell us to mark those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine (of faith and godliness). It also tells us about six, no seven, things God HATES. One of those is the person who sows DISCORD among the brethren (Proverbs 6).
What if all those people we like to bash are really scoundrels? What if they deserve it? What if?
Does our responsibility change? Was Jesus’ command altered in any way?
“Go into all the world…make disciples…”
I am not an Osteenite, a Hageeite, a Jakesite, or any other “ite”. I’m not even a Piperite or a MacArthurite.
Nor do I fancy myself as a Christian Copper.
I am a Christian.
I have something to tell others. It’s called truth.
And somehow, pointing out the faults (presumed or actual) of other preachers doesn’t help me in fulfilling God’s call on my life.
What would happen if the time we spent “exposing” someone else’s ministry was used to pray for people such as Brother Osteen, or all the people he is attempting to reach.
I believe it could produce more “and such were some of you” testimonies than the devil could handle.
And shouldn’t that be our goal?
Christian police: isn’t it time you turned in your badge?
