By Victor Ochieng
Working in the ministry as a pastor is a demanding honor. Admittedly, many men of God have done well to stick to the Bible teachings without any let up.
Unfortunately, some pastors use pulpits to propagate teachings that don’t conform to the Bible. Many evangelical churches sieve their teachings so as not to appear hard on parishioners. This is the same as what’s being manifested in religious films that have lately been providing the audience with toned down gospel messages
One pastor, Joel Osteen, has chosen the motivational gospel as his best approach in encouraging church members to continue being in the Lord. The pastor doesn’t preach the gospel of hell or sin, or any other gospel that might “scare off” the church membership.
The pastor recently said in a special Easter edition of CBS Sunday Morning that “most people are beaten down enough by life. They already feel guilty enough. They’re not doing what they should, raising their kids - we can all find reasons. So I want them to come to Lakewood or our meetings and be lifted up, to say, ‘You know what? I may not be perfect, but I’m moving forward. I’m doing better.’ And I think that motivates you to do better.”
How true is that?
As Shane Idleman puts it on a piece posted on Charismanews, this school of thought fits those feeling beaten because they aren’t looking at God’s truth in its entirety, choosing only some areas.
The fact of the matter is, choosing not to talk about hell or sin amounts to doing away with an important aspect of the scriptures, which is against what the Bible teaches in the book of 2 Timothy 3:16 that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” - King James Version.
Sadly, some pastors choose to tone down the gospel to attract large church membership. Churches aren’t preaching the gospel of repentance; they aren’t showing their membership the way when they stray.
Idleman says he isn’t trying to rebuke, but making a humble plea for people to “return fully to God’s truth,” terming it the true “encouragement.”
Just like in real life, one cannot be a good parent without being firm. Not everything that’s right will please your children, but that doesn’t mean you stop telling them what’s right.
For that same Bible says in the book of Revelation 22:19: “And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
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