The Church is made up of believers, not one particular denomination or the Catholic church. We protestants may belong to different denominations, but anyone who has given their life to Jesus Christ and lives to obey His word is part of the “Church” spoken of in the Bible. And this includes all Christians throughout the world.
Well sure, you are absolutely correct, but what I was attempting to point is the in fighting within various denominations within the protestant church exampled within this thread with criticism (constructive I believe) of Joel Osteen.
My personal belief is that God is more merciful than we give Him credit...this is the exact reason He came to us in the form of a man. God wanted to show us his love.
God warns us NOT TO BE deceived, but does anyone really believe that God ascended back into heaven with parting words...”see y'all later, good luck to ya?”.
God forgave ALL sin, past, present and future. He reconciled us to Him through the ultimate sacrifice and atoning blood of the precious lamb.
Now, the struggle is against our flesh and satan, but because we struggle with various things in our lives, does God love us any less? When we put our trust in Jesus, do we still struggle with sin? Is God a holy God? Can ANY sin reside in His presence? Even the smallest of sin?
Now, I am sure that the messages will come flowing in on how skewed my beliefs may be, but don't care. I stand clothed in the righteous of Christ Jesus and am a work in progress. I ain't there yet, but I am pointed in the right direction.
Folks need to allow themselves to be forgiven. We as Christians need to stop calling folks up to pray the sinners prayer....”now son, all your sins have been forgiven, you are now released from the curse of the law”.
Then, a few days later...ok son, you need to do this, pray every day, three times a day, drive the church bus, give your tithes, witness to others....and so forth.
Many denominations un-knowingly place seekers/baby Christians right back under the law. Many will feel they can never do quite enough to please God, thus falling into the trap of attempting to subconsciously earn their way into favor with this holy God that is sitting at the edge of His throne prepared to poof you into a smoldering pile of ashes if one neglects to tow the line.
Bottom line (at least for me), we as Christians need to do a lil better job ministering to the broken. Folks don't need some self made bible scholar and or liturgical expert to rail on then with all the do’s and don’ts. Each person is unique...God made us unique.
Each and every person in the church struggles with something in their lives, whether they realize it or not. We are all in a different place in our walk with God. God accepts folks RIGHT WHERE THEY ARE! Not where YOU think they should be.
Once a person truly realizes the love that God has for them, once they understand that God is not mad at them. Once a person knows that they can once and for all they may walk from the prison of guilt and shame as children of the most high God.....this is when their lives transform and they will begin a true relationship with Jesus.
So, dove tailing back to Joel. Those without sin, cast the first stone.