This morning while eating my breakfast I happened to find Joel Olsteen on channel 4. I am not a fan of his as far as inspirational and Biblical evangelization is concerned, but I did listen for a short time while enjoying my eggs and toast.
Now granted, he is a terrific motivational speaker but I must admit that I very often have a problem with his message. Today he was speaking about avoiding people that are negative and that bring you down. He said that you deserve better than that and that God wants you to avoid those people and wants better for you. Correct me if I am wrong but I am pretty darn sure that Jesus preached from the mount that we are to love our enemies, to pray for them - for what treasure is there in loving only those that love you? Even the tax collectors love those that love them.
Obviously I am a nobody; I am not a well-known figure as Mr. Olsteen is, but how about showing mercy to those that are negative or mean to you? Pray for them and show them what the love of Christ is like. There is a reason why that person is negative or mean and I dare to say that they may be in more pain or crisis than you are; you just never, ever know what a person is dealing with in their life. To turn your back on a person is not what Christ would want us to do. He would want you to show the same love and mercy to that meanie as He shows to you. Unless you are as perfect as Christ is, you have no right to cast stones at others. Even Jesus did not do that and He IS the just judge of us all. Maybe that mean, negative person needs help and as a Christian why would Mr. Olsteen preach that you should avoid them? You should try reaching out to them. Does he not believe in the power of love, a smile or a hug?
He also said that you (I guess his followers) deserve better than that. Why is anyone more deserving than the rest of us mere mortals? Who said that we deserve anything in this life? It is not in the Bible. The Bible says that our treasure lies not in this life but in the next. It also says that we are all equal in God*s eyes. In God*s eyes you are equal to that person that is being negative to you and yes, He knows what is in both of your hearts. That other person may be purer in heart than you are and just having a really crappy day. Remember crappy days Mr. Olsteen? We ALL have them. God knows what that mean person is suffering with and how they are acting and he also sees the person turning their back and walking away.
Give people the benefit of the doubt. Treat others as you would want to be treated, even if they are mean or negative to you. Be the better person that Jesus wants you to be. You do not need the Joel Osteens of the world to tell you how to live your life. You have the words of our Lord and Savior right there in your Bible. Crack it open, read it and live your life according to HIS words.
Stepping off the soapbox now. Have a peaceful week.
Mare
Now granted, he is a terrific motivational speaker but I must admit that I very often have a problem with his message. Today he was speaking about avoiding people that are negative and that bring you down. He said that you deserve better than that and that God wants you to avoid those people and wants better for you. Correct me if I am wrong but I am pretty darn sure that Jesus preached from the mount that we are to love our enemies, to pray for them - for what treasure is there in loving only those that love you? Even the tax collectors love those that love them.
Obviously I am a nobody; I am not a well-known figure as Mr. Olsteen is, but how about showing mercy to those that are negative or mean to you? Pray for them and show them what the love of Christ is like. There is a reason why that person is negative or mean and I dare to say that they may be in more pain or crisis than you are; you just never, ever know what a person is dealing with in their life. To turn your back on a person is not what Christ would want us to do. He would want you to show the same love and mercy to that meanie as He shows to you. Unless you are as perfect as Christ is, you have no right to cast stones at others. Even Jesus did not do that and He IS the just judge of us all. Maybe that mean, negative person needs help and as a Christian why would Mr. Olsteen preach that you should avoid them? You should try reaching out to them. Does he not believe in the power of love, a smile or a hug?
He also said that you (I guess his followers) deserve better than that. Why is anyone more deserving than the rest of us mere mortals? Who said that we deserve anything in this life? It is not in the Bible. The Bible says that our treasure lies not in this life but in the next. It also says that we are all equal in God*s eyes. In God*s eyes you are equal to that person that is being negative to you and yes, He knows what is in both of your hearts. That other person may be purer in heart than you are and just having a really crappy day. Remember crappy days Mr. Olsteen? We ALL have them. God knows what that mean person is suffering with and how they are acting and he also sees the person turning their back and walking away.
Give people the benefit of the doubt. Treat others as you would want to be treated, even if they are mean or negative to you. Be the better person that Jesus wants you to be. You do not need the Joel Osteens of the world to tell you how to live your life. You have the words of our Lord and Savior right there in your Bible. Crack it open, read it and live your life according to HIS words.
Stepping off the soapbox now. Have a peaceful week.
Mare
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