---

Dear Joel Osteen,

You got a taste for the first time (it would seem) of what it is like to defend the truths of the Bible, not trying to be loved by or appealing to all people. I'm sure that was a shocker for you emotionally when you discovered the backlash of your comments pertaining to Elton John, but I hope this situation is just what you need to see what it means to defend and stand for the Bible. This is what it means to boldly speak the truth. You must pick sir who you will heed, God or people.

If you will heed people, you'll have to apologize for telling the truth about what God has to say about homosexuality and make up a lie for your statement that 'homosexuality is a sin'. If you'll heed God, you're going to have to do a 180 on your methods and start preaching the truth, unabashed and unaltered as it is laid out plainly in the Scriptures. This will upset even more people!

John 15:18-25
If the world hates you, know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would treat you with affection and would love you as its own. But because you are not of the world [no longer one with it], but I have chosen (selected) you out of the world, the world hates (detests) you. Remember that I told you, A servant is not greater than his master [is not superior to him]. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word and obeyed My teachings, they will also keep and obey yours.

But they will do all this to you [inflict all this suffering on you] because of [your bearing] My name and on My account, for they do not know or understand the One Who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin [would be blameless]; but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates Me also hates My Father. If I had not done (accomplished) among them the works which no one else ever did, they would not be guilty of sin. But [the fact is] now they have both seen [these works] and have hated both Me and My Father.

But [this is so] that the word written in their Law might be fulfilled, They hated Me without a cause.

Romans 1:18-20
For God's [holy] wrath and indignation are revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who in their wickedness repress and hinder the truth and make it inoperative. For that which is known about God is evident to them and made plain in their inner consciousness, because God [Himself] has shown it to them.

For ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature and attributes, that is, His eternal power and divinity, have been made intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the things that have been made (His handiworks). So [men] are without excuse [altogether without any defense or justification].

If you want to stand for the truth Mr. Osteen, you will have to deal and come to terms with the people who will inevitably hate you for it. Your enemy, Satan, is already playing damage control. He doesn't want to lose you as a feel good prosperity teacher. But the truth is, there is no hope of anything outside of Jesus Christ (John 3:3-21). No one is promised their next breath or the next day, a pay raise, a loan, a house, their health, or any good and extravagant thing (1 Kings 20:11, Luke 12:13-21, James 4:13-17).

You know what you are promised as a believer in Jesus Christ? Eternal life, along with persecution (Mark 10:28-30). Our Lord Jesus Christ did not come into this world to bring peace among men, He brought a sword that divides men (Matthew 10:34-40).

Peace will only be accomplished in our Lord and Saviors Second Coming, after the bloodiest and most costly war (in human life) man will ever know (Revelation 19:11-21). Remember people hated Jesus Christ, chiefly the religious leaders (Mark 14:1-2). How much more will they hate His servants and messengers (Matthew 10:25)? Here you agreed with God and said that homosexuality was a sin, and look how the people react to you!

Every apostle of Christ met a grizzly end for their efforts, save for the one that God spared for His purposes (John 21:20-25). Many of Christ's followers in those days shared such an end. Many of Christ's followers today in various parts of the world die for their faith in ways not much different then those believers of the past.

Each one received also the great reward of their suffering and faith in Jesus Christ. Things we can only wonder about. Their place in Heaven is wonderful, how many will be able to say the same about their faith like the faith of these who suffer for their testimony in Christ Jesus?

No doubt, very many from your congregation will have already fled and cursed you at the mention of this one truth regarding homosexuality you have stated. The only way salvation can be obtained is by God, though His son Jesus Christ and His way. There is no other way. This truth will turn away even more people then your truthful comment about homosexuality!

What will you say then Pastor Joel Osteen to this?
The angels are watching, the good and the bad (1 Peter 1:12, 1 Peter 5:8).