Good grief. I guess then all Christians should cover themselves in sackclothes and sit in ashes until He returns?
I can see how folks will come running to Jesus with that sales pitch!
Come on, get saved and you can be miserable too!
I don’t get why some Christians think having joy and happiness in their lives is somehow offensive to God.
Of course we pray and feel sorrow for our brothers and sisters in countries where they are persecuted, but should I not ever eat again because somewhere out there a Christian is starving?
Fasting may prove helpful to your soul RMD. The point that went over your head is that 'ministers' such as Osteen preach that Christianity is all pink bunnies and unicorns - peace, material prosperity and God just hands out whatever you want. Material wealth provides one with joy and happiness - along with positive mental thinking.
Jesus said take up your cross and follow me.
Jesus said the rich will find it very hard to enter heaven
Jesus never preached pop western materialism - he taught that a Christian's entire focus should be on Him and him alone and that anyone who gets his focus off him and onto the world would be in danger.
Only a life focused on Jesus will provide real joy. Material things here will only rust and be stolen - so don't store up treasures on earth.
If you think you have to 'sell' Jesus so you can get 'things' and worldly happiness - you are pitching the wrong Jesus.
And given the sorry spiritual state our nation is in right now - a good dose of sackcloth and ashes may be in order as well.
If you are not predestined for salvation no sales pitch, however good, will "get you saved". We cannot come to God of our own volition, we are DEAD in trespasses and sin, not just sick.