Christian Commentary Encouraging Devotions

"Listen, it’s the goodness of God that brings people to repentance. It’s the goodness of God. One thing I always appreciated about my dad is that he instilled into us a good vision of who God was. We learned about a good God." [Joel Osteen, Sermon: What the Resurrection Means to Us As Believers]

The following is from http://www.letusreason.org/Popteac29.htm

Well, the rich young ruler did not know he was sinful, though he did know God’s commandments; he needed Jesus to tell him about the law he did not keep. Have we improved on this? Jesus Christ spoke on hell often-- would Joel Osteen (and others) dismiss this today as unnecessary or offensive? What if Jesus were here today speaking on hell? Would they ask him to keep quiet?

Did Jesus teach in this manner? In John 15:22, He said, "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin." In John 3:18-20, He said, "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed."

Doesn’t sound too soft to me, and this was to a religious leader who knew better. The Bible does not shy away from addressing our sins. Sin is the greatest enemy of mankind and it does not help anyone when it is swept under the rug not to be heard of.

Amy Sims reports: "At the biggest church in the country, Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, Pastor Joel Osteen preaches to some 25,000 people each week -- and sin is not on the menu. Osteen said his goal is to "give people a boost for the week." "I think for years there's been a lot of hellfire and damnation. You go to church to figure out what you're doing wrong and you leave feeling bad like you're not going to make it," Osteen said. "We believe in focusing on the goodness of God." (Fox News, Feb. 03, 2004, as reported by Amy C. Sims)

The preceding is from http://www.letusreason.org/Popteac29.htm

OK, so what DO we say to people?

I believe we say what the Spirit of God prompts us to say.

That will be the right word at the right time.

I have been wondering about this lately. There's teaching by Kirk Cameron at www.thewayofthemaster.com that seems a tad harsh to me, but, then, maybe I've been too influenced by the feel-good method of witnessing.

In witnessing as in every other area of our Christian walk, we are so utterly dependent on God, right?

I'm believing for a young man's salvation, a co-worker.

I'm trusting God to 1) build a relationship which will give me the basis for sharing; 2) provide the opportunities; 3) give me the right words, 4) give me the boldness to speak into his life.

I'm a work in process in this (and every other!) area of life.

I'm excited, though, that the area of witnessing is once again being kindled in my heart in a new and fresh way.

Sharing our faith in Jesus is His heart, what's important to Him.

Your thought? Please send them to jim@christiancommentary.com