Joel Osteen is a friend of sinners

Joel Osteen is a friend of sinners, that's what pastor Phil Munsey declared on a Charisma magazine article. His ministry therefore is similar to that of Jesus Christ--misunderstood, criticized, and persecuted by the religious crowd. The online article goes on to name a list of very impressive exploits and accomplishments done by Joel and his ministry. The number of achievements is so amazing that one is left in total admiration and respect for all the work that the Osteens have done. The overall view and feel of the entire online post is one of awe. Basically, what is being stated indirectly is that Joel Osteen is the spokesman for Christianity, the new representative of God to the world.

Whether the writer intended it or not, the conclusion one derives from the article is to deduce that the kind of none offensive, never confrontational, always seeking to be liked work done by Joel is the type of ministry we should all be endorsing and promoting in our churches today. In that light, Jesus came to the world so you can be a better you, have your best life now and live every day as if it was Friday.

I honestly don't see here any parallel between Joel's being a better you and Jesus denied yourself and pick up your cross message. Osteen gets treated by most as a celebrity, selling millions of books while appearing on Oprah and Larry King live. He then stands before a camera and avoids saying anything that may be interpreted as offensive or confrontational to anyone and somehow that makes him the friend of sinners? I guess instead of fulfilling Ezequiel 3:18-19 now we should embrace Joel's cookie fortune gospel of having worldly success and seeking a healthy self-esteem.

Oprah's Winfrey Joining Bishop T.D Jakes. realityofgodchurch.blogspot.com/2013/08/oprahs-winfrey-joining-bishop-td-jakes.html

Jesus was casting out devils, raising the dead, cleansing the lepers and proclaiming the Kingdom of God. He was calling sinners to repentance and while dethroning the powers of darkness, he was exposing corruption within the religious order of his day. He was not killed because He was a nice peasant with good sayings and healthy advice. The reason Jesus was called the friend of sinners was not because he was super sensitive, avoiding confrontation and always telling people what they wanted to hear. Jesus was known as the sinners friend simply because he never rejected anyone who was willing to come to His fellowship table to commune with Him and follow His kingdom teaching (Mark2:13).

There are many good things that can be said about a person who brings inspiration, motivation and encouragement to the world. The achievements and contributions done by a leader should always be commended and celebrated by others seeking to better their community and help society. But let us not play games, seeking to redefine Christ's work and His cross message to now conveniently accomodate to our new personal and private interpretations of the gospel. This Messianic stature attributed to Osteen by his pal Phil Munsey is more than overreaching, it is debasing and demeaning to our Lord and Savior. Let's draw the line and learn how to differentiate between the human and the divine, the good and the great, pleasing man is not the same as pleasing God, seeking the glory of man is not the same as pursuing the glory of God. Joel maybe good and even great at what he does, but he is no Jesus.