“Condemn You?” - Ahava Love Letter (Steve Martin)

“Condemn You?”

“She said, "No one, Lord. And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." (John 8:11, NKJV)

Dear family of friends,

In January of 2014 I watched a taped recording of the Larry King NOW show, because his guest was Joel Olsteen. I like Joel. Many times he had encouraged me when I watched his weekly TV program broadcast from Lakewood Church in Houston, TX.

On a few occasions I was able to attend the Sunday morning service personally. After one meeting, when people were invited to meet him, I did. He and his wife Victoria were very nice. As I said, I like Joel.

I didn’t know Joel was going to be on Larry’s show. I didn’t even know Larry had a show anymore, after he no longer did the Larry King Live series. But due to the Charisma magazine e-mail notice I did receive, and the caption with Joel, I checked it out.

The actual headline of the website article proclaimed, “Joel Osteen Discusses Why He Won't Preach Against Homosexuality” (1/15/2014, CHARISMA MAGAZINE). The TV program was actually quite good, and a lot more than what the headline had just stated. Joel gave honest, forth right answers. Did I say I like Joel yet?

If you are as I, many of you work in a “secular” job" - as in “not full time ministry”. (Actually, I did that for 24 years – in full time Christian ministry. I am very grateful for that time serving the Lord in that capacity and atmosphere, for the most part.) On these secular jobs we have now, there may be some who are not totally saved as we would like them to be. Yes, it is true. Many are not as us. It is though, in my daily prayers, that they will know the Savior Lord Jesus, as well as the Father and the Holy Spirit.

When I shared the website link to Larry and Joel’s time talking, on my Love For His People blog, which then, due to modern technology, gets reposted to my two Facebook, four Twitter, Google+, and other social media accounts automatically, the comments began. Some were judgmental, in response to the headlines on homosexuality. (I assumed they didn't take the time to actually watch the show, given the swift judgement.) “Joel is a heathen! Joel is a false teacher and leads many astray!” 2 Timothy was also quoted, about “turning away from the truth”…and so on.

My heart goes out to the ones that Jesus died for. I pray for the opportunity to share His love for them, for likeyou and I, they need the Savior too – to free them from a lifestyle of sin, hurt, and eternity apart from the Lord’s presence. And as He has given me a marketplace job, which happens to be in the midst of some of these who are “not saved”, I am continually asking Him how I can be His light in their world.

At the top of this letter I quoted from John 8:11. The preceding verses are as written, “Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?"  This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him.

But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first."  And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.

Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last.

And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." (John 8:1-11, NKJV)

I like Joel. I love Jesus. And I love those whom He has set in place amongst me on the job. I need His heart and wisdom even more to express that love to them, so they too can know He does not condemn them, but wants them to know Him also.

I am convinced He will be with me in doing that.

Ahava to my family of friends,

Steve Martin

Founder, Love For His People

P.S. This is my 100th Ahava Love Letter. Thank you Lord!

P.S.S. Here is the Charisma article and Larry King NOW TV show link. 
Click here: Charisma Magazine with Larry King & Joel Olsteen

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Ahava Love Letter #100   “Condemn You?”   Steve Martin 

Date: In the year of our Lord 2014 (01.16.14) Thursday at 6:30 pm in Charlotte, NC).

All previous editions of Ahava Love Letter can be found on this Blog, and our newest website: https://www.www.ahavaloveletters.blogspot.com