Going to church for the wrong reasons

John MacArthur has said, in speaking about Joel Olsteen: "The only way that this is 'Your Best Life Now' is when you're going to Hell... but if you are a believer, your best life is yet to come (Heaven)"

I'm very glad to be believers like you here, as there are so many others not so aware and informed. :)

Yes, brother! MacArthur said that well. How brash for Osteen to title his book that way. Misleading so many in the pursuit of his own glory and riches.

Fantastic words as his is common, promising miracles and bliss, etc. Definitely common in the Word of Faith movement for which he's part.

BTW, are you Reformed?

Yes, he’s popular for saying “gaining favour” with God. When God truly blesses/favours someone, it sometimes means hardships. Hardships are definitely left out of Osteens definition of Gods blessings.
I’m not a reformed/calvanist, I am a follower of Christ who desperately needs Him every day, and a wicked human being who fails Him daily.
I believe no one can snatch me out of His hand, and I am ever thankful for His grace.

I only heard about Calvanism a couple years ago, and it was surprising to me. To quote the words of Ravi Zachariahs, “unity doesn’t mean uniformity”.

"... , I am a follower of Christ who desperately needs Him every day, and a wicked human being who fails Him daily.
I believe no one can snatch me out of His hand, and I am ever thankful for His grace."

Ah, the story of my life as well. Many times I wished the Lord would come because I am tired of disappointing Him. No more sin, no more failures, and no more defeats.

Some day, brother He will come. Until then, take up the cross and deny your flesh. Reward in heaven awaits those that are the salt and light, the hands and feet. My most successful daily walks with Him begin with morning devotional, prayer, worship.

Amen, Brother; what a wonderful way to start. :)

I was hesitant posting this meme, because I do know that some of us don’t come to Christ the first time we hear the gospel. For some it takes repeated planting of the word, and Gods timing. But in the nature of humour I thought it was ok.

Hi Doug, I think I know your meaning. We do have people here who thinks they're Christian but accepted the Gospel message only intellectual fact. So some would likely take offense at it.

On the otherhand... we do have real believers who loves to listen to Joel Olsteen and thinks he's a man of God. Such Christians were probably grew up in seeker-friendly churches.

What your doing is couraguous; we need more Christians like you voicing opposition and exposing the false teachings of these heretics (Titus 1:9-11). My advice for anyone wishing to do this is to do it in love, being careful to balance grace and truth (John 1:17).

Sometimes we're so into it that it appears to others as scornful, even hateful. I've seen that with Protestants attacking Catholics. We should reach out to them as they indeed have a false gospel, and that they're traditions and practices are not biblical, but the same Protestants (or so-called) appear more like trolls than Believers genuinlely seeking to save the lost.

I personally only try and debunk their notion of salvation because of all the issues, the Gospel is the most important.

I don't go to church because I don't really agree with a lot of Christian things. but this is my personal preference you can believe what you want just don't be mean to others and respect their opinions.