Osteen has stated many times that he wants to focus not on sin, but on the fact that "Jesus likes everyone. He isn’t against anybody.” We all know that Jesus exemplified love. And scripture tells us that God loves us. The problem with Joel’s message isn’t that he wants everyone to be happy. The problem is that by not addressing sin, and our need of repentance, he removes the need of the Cross - Wayne Dupree (Newsninja2012.com)
In recent years, Osteen has taken a stand for the LGBT movement, stating that he believes homosexuals will spend eternity in Heaven. He speaks very little about the repentance and turning away from sin (John 8:11) which is required. In an interview with Piers Morgan, he and his wife agreed that they would attend the marriage of a gay couple if they have a close relationship with them. He would do this out of respect for the person. How about the respect for the Gospel and what the Lord says about sexual sin? - Wayne Dupree (newsninja2012.com)
We have a conundrum here, because acceptance of love is the only way... let me repeat, the ONLY way, delivery from sin can occur. Nope, a lifetime of self effort, of religious words and deeds, would not avail one iota.
A theology that does not acknowledge that reconciliation and sin stand at odds, is incorrect. However if the two get seriously into battle, sin will yield.
It is a delicate topic and hard to treat, because humanity’s fallen minds will err to one side or the other. In this case, there is precious little guidance from the Holy Spirit to be seen in the debate. It becomes “damn them to hell” vs. “we don’t even need to think about it now.” Christendom itself has become weak. We are vain to enter into battles about which is worse. Both are distanced from God.
But God has a way of exposing people to various aspects of the truth over their lives so that the glory ends up going to Him and not some proud human teacher, whoever that teacher might be.
