Posted by Joyous on June 11, 2008 at 18:05:13:
In Reply to: Re: Unconditional love?? posted by Only_The_Lonely on June 11, 2008 at 12:32:15:
Oh sweetie...no wonder you are confused. Some TV evangelists are scary. I don't think your are being cynical. Sounds like you are being discerning. Please don't let the ungodly examples you have seen on TV (or experienced personally) negatively affect your relationship with Jesus.
I'm not against television evangelists or their ministries. Some of the evangelists have godly ministries and speak the truth. There are TV evangelists who are honest and live godly lives. Sadly, there are some who are nothing more than "a wolf in sheep's clothing" and are leading people astray - making a mockery out of Christianity & dragging Jesus' name through the mud. Sadder still, there are believers who are being deceived and are supporting some of these TV evangelists (finically) and stand by their unbiblical teachings. The Bible warns us against false prophets coming in sheep's clothing - pretending to be godly. None of this should surprise us though. After all, Satan can transform himself into a messenger of light.
I'm not here to name any names. I don't want to cause any arguments. But I know this thread could end in a heated discussion. The Bible tells us to be "Bereans" - study the Word for ourselves - see if what is being taught lines up with other Scripture (not that it sounds good and makes us feel good).
You are right OTL, in some of the TV evangelism programs the beautiful and successful are put on display. There also seems to be a lot of waste - wearing expensive clothing & jewelry -- spending money in extravagant ways. Yes, God does bless some with lots of money. Many of us could spend our money more wisely (I know I could & God has really been teaching me & helping me with this for the last year). But our desire should be storing our treasures in heaven instead of acquiring more stuff here on earth.
Some teach that it is always God's will for all Christians to be perfectly healthy and wealthy. This seems to imply if you have problems or are sick you are in sin and/or lack faith. The Bible even tells us health problems can be expected in this life & they can help us grow closer to Jesus; whatever the final outcome is - God will be glorified - Psalm 73:26, Psalm 103:15-16, II Corinthians 4:1, II Corinthians 12:9-10, James 5:14-16, Revelation 21:4.
The Bible also tells us that trials are to be expected. Not only do they sharpen our faith, but also trials help us comfort one another (as you said, you are more apt to listen to someone's story about coming out of harder circumstances). Trials also give us an opportunity to glorify God. Trials should drive us closer to God - we cling to Him more tightly during those difficult times.
The Bible tells in John 16:33 that "in this world you will have tribulations, but be of good cheer (take heart) I have overcome the world." I Peter 4 tells us to not be surprised at the painful trial we are suffering. The book of James talks a lot about trials.
Look at some the thing Paul endured. He was thrown into prison more than once. He was shipwrecked, abandoned by friends, he was stoned (the stones back then were not tiny pebbles - more like large rocks & boulders). Job also suffered a lot of heartache. Yet we can learn from him. In spite of everything that happened to him, in the end Job still loved God.
While Jesus was here on earth He did not heal everyone. Nor was Jesus wealthy. He didn't wear the finest clothes or wasn't the most handsome man in town, "For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground, He has no form or comeliness, and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him. He is despised and rejected by men. A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him. He was despised and we did not esteem Him, " Isaiah 53:2-3
In Luke 18 when the rich man asked what he needed to do to obtain eternal life Jesus told him to sell all that he had and give it to the poor. But the man could not do it, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. Jesus went on to say how hard it is for rich people to get into the Kingdom of God. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God. Jesus did not tell the man to keep his riches to follow him or that after he gives them away He would replenish them 10 fold.
He was concerned with the man having riches in heaven, not in this earthly life. "Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be, " Matthew 6:21. God is not anti-money or anti-wealth. Money in itself is not evil. "The root of all evil is the love of money."
I don't think Jesus lived the life He did and endured the death He did just so we could be happy, healthy, wealthy, beautiful, smart, and popular. We come to Jesus to receive forgiveness of our sins and flee His eternal judgment. Jesus does not promise us that if we come to Him life will be a bed of roses. Was life a bed of roses for Him & His disciples?
I Timothy 6 teaches us about false teaching and true riches. It tells us to be content having enough food and clothing. It also goes on and tells us to use our money to do good. We are to give to orphans, widows, and the poor.
Think how "health & wealth" effects people living in third world countries or people with terminal cancer or someone like Joni Eareckson Tada or people with special needs children. Life right now is difficult for many. People are loosing their jobs & homes. The abundant life isn't about money. To imply they can't or aren't living the abundant life is saying Romans 8:28 is a lie.
Be careful what you watch whether it be so called Christian TV or "secular" programs. Both can affect our thoughts - positively or negatively.
I know how you feel about church.
Not all churches or Christians are that way.
I encourage you to try to find a good,
solid Bible teaching church.
One that will answer your questions about important topics such as unconditional love.
One that will help you "reconnect" with God.
One that will come along side you to encourage you - especially now.
You have a lot going on.