You Don't Need Guilt

It was March 14, 2016, and this day's devotional message was titled, Gods Grace Covers Your Guilt.   Loaded Christian sounding words and terminology, like, "guilt" and talking about how "grace covers," it even mentions, "God." It almost could have been a news headline taken right out of the Bible.  It sounds biblical, but read the message in the light of gospel truth and you will discover, it's not!

It might be correct to understand from the scriptures how it is that "God's grace covers your guilt," but the grace of God, being the amazing thing it is, does not begin and end there.  God's grace really does so much more than merely bring a person happiness in this life.   In reading Rick Warren's publication about how God's Grace Covers Your Guilt, one finds it is a message void of the simple truth: that Jesus Christ died to give you God's gift, the gift of forgiveness for sin and eternal life.  

Rick's concept of Jesus wants followers, and in exchange, you get to escape that nagging feeling that you find makes you unhappy.... "guilt." 

"Even if there were no eternity, it would be worth it to become a follower of Jesus in order to escape the guilt."

 Rick Warren, 

God’s Grace Covers Your Guilt,  Daily Hope with Rick Warren,  MARCH 14, 2016

(And please note, Rick also does in fact talk about "sin." Now you cannot rightly say that Rick Warren never talks about "sin."  He indeed does.  "Sin" however, is not reason God became man and dwelt among us.  If you listen to Rick, he will not tell you that God was concerned with the fact that people would die in their sins and be eternally separated from him forever because of it.... instead , God didn;t want people, like you, walking around feeling guilty.....

No joke:   

"Sin brings guilt.... God doesn’t want you to walk around feeling guilty. That’s why God sent Jesus to the cross to die for all of your sins."

 Rick Warren, 

God’s Grace Covers Your Guilt,  Daily Hope with Rick Warren,  MARCH 14, 2016

God felt sad about you feeling bad...feeling guilty all the time, so he sent Jesus to die so that your guilt (due to sin, ) would stop making you miserable

Rick does inform you that "sin" happens, but it's apparently not the problem to be reckoned with.   The problem, the main problem that plagues all humanity, the problem that is "basic to the human existence," (according to Rick,) is the nagging feeling of "guilt."  It's such a  bad thing... (guilt) that, like satan, it tempts us.

Rick explains:

"Guilt is basic to the human existence. Since no one is perfect, we all are tempted by guilt over our past mistakes."

 Rick Warren, 

God’s Grace Covers Your Guilt,  Daily Hope with Rick Warren,  MARCH 14, 2016

Guilt is a problem, but guilt does not "tempt" a person, evil desires do that. (James 1:14)

Furthermore, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, guilt actually works in us to show us our need for forgiveness, our need for a savior.  In fact, it's far better to feel guilty over a sin and know you need a savior than to have no remorse over the wrongs things we do or have done.   And sin, (not guilt), is basic to human existence.  Sin is humanity's problem.  We inheirited it from Adam.  While Rick tells the reader that sin causes guilt..... he then does a slick switch-a-oo and directs the reader to think that guilt, your feelings of guilt. not sin, is the problem.

Warren also works to explain how Jesus removed the condemnation we are under before God.  Rick says:

"No condemnation” means God doesn’t judge you for all you’ve done wrong if you’ve trusted Christ because Jesus took that judgment upon himself on the cross. God doesn’t have to judge you because Jesus was judged. He doesn’t have to condemn you because Jesus took your condemnation....."

It's true.  This is what Jesus Christ did and it is good  news indeed, straight from the preserved pages of scripture, but as Warren continues explaining this concept of Jesus' atonement...Christ's death for our sin, Him in our place, it is delivered to us with no hope of there being such a thing as eternity or the realization that all of our sins are forgiven.  He does not even talk about how great it is to be reconciled to God.  Instead, what we have is the ability to sin, without the guilt:

".... That means you don’t need the guilt. Notice that it doesn’t say that after you become a Christian, you won’t sin. You’ll still sin. You’ll still make mistakes. You’ll still fail and look stupid. But Jesus has paid the price for those failures. You are free from guilt!"

Rick Warren, 

God’s Grace Covers Your Guilt,  Daily Hope with Rick Warren,  MARCH 14, 2016

Rick's message about how God cares about how you feel can be of some comfort.  After all, God does care about you.  It's true.  God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have eternal life.  It's also true that following Jesus is a good thing.  However, it does remain quite remarkable that Rick Warren, given half a chance will work really hard verbally to circumvents real faith issues, like, how Jesus was born and he died to save us all from sin and that by faith in him, all your sin is washed away.

Faith Requires....Imagination???

The Bible teaches that faith comes by hearing... not by having an "imagination."  Rick Warren is teaching strange things, once again.  At the start of the new year, 2016, his theme is "imagination."

 "In order to have faith in the promise of eternity, 

Christians must be able to believe things that they cannot immediately see." ~ Rick Warren, Fox News, 1-12-16;  Christianpost.com

Who is he talking about?
What is he telling then they must do?
What would happen if they do not do this directive of his?

Rick's choice of  wording is bizarre.

Apparently, the gospel is not about putting your faith in Jesus anymore, or, for that matter, that the good news is so simple that even a small child could understand.  No, rick complicates it.  He say's that "in order to have faith in the "promise of eternity, Christians MUST BE ABLE to believe things that they cannot immediately see."  Christians are singled out here too.   Apparently, you are not a "Christian", able to have faith in "the promise of eternity" unless you have this special ability he speaks of.

It's a curious theology here, for having faith in Jesus is not mentioned by Rick; but having "faith in the promise of eternity" is..... and just for the record, there will be an eternity for everyone.  The beauty of the gospel is God's forgiveness for our sin and "eternity" spend with God (instead of hell... which by the way, is an eternity too.)    God's gift of eternal life through faith in the one whom he sent, Jesus Christ is not something you have to be able to grasp completely with your mind for it to be a reality.  It's not something you cannot have unless you have this ability to believe things you cannot immediately see either.    Faith comes by hearing....  and hearing comes via the word of God.

It's that simple.  A person hears and believes...  no special, prerequisite ability of believing things you cannot see needed.  And, one has to wonder, why is it only "Christians" that need this special ability?

How about if Christians simply believe what they hear as it is recorded in the bible, (which if you want to get technical, IS a book that they can see?

What if pastors with big enormous churches, like "Pastor" Rick, just preached the word... in season and out.... instead of making stuff up?

"Hebrews 11 is God’s Hall of Fame. When you read through the heroes of faith, you realize that every one of them became heroes of faith because they used their imagination."

He calls Hebrews 11 the hall of "fame."  (That's funny.)  It's usually thought of as the Hall of FAITH, not "fame."  The scriptures talks clearly about them using faith...  faith in God and faith in His word, not using their imaginations.  

For example, the text of Hebrews 11 says, 

"By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command."

Hebrews 11:2

Rick insists on twisting the scriptures.  Instead of Abraham simply believing God,, taking him at his word, believing God, Rick Warren's Abraham has to be able to "visualize," 

"What is God doing when he tells Abraham to go count stars? He is activating his imagination. He’s saying, “I want you to visualize what I’m going to do in your life.”

Rick would lead you to believe God is incapable of making anything happen unless you do your part and visualize your own concept of things, just like Abraham did.  But rick is wrong.  Truth be told, God only needs to speak the word, and a thing is done.  God does not need you to visualize anything.  His word stands good.  

Rick neglects tp read Hebrews,, that ol "Hall of Fame."  He apparently skipped the parts that tell us how Abraham, by faith, (not by imagination,) obeyed God and used reasoning, (not imagination) to determine that God was capable of raising the dead.  All Rick would have to do to get things right is read Hebrews 11, but he prefers to simply make things up.

And what does the scripture teach us about our imagination?

IT was an antediluvian problem:

Genesis 6:5

And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

There is such a things as an evil imagination:

Jeremiah 7:24

But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.

Jeremiah 13:10

This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing.

Romans 1:21

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

So what is a "Christian" REALLY to do?  It's easy. quit making stuff up. Hear what God says, and believe God who sent Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for sin, so that by believing you could have eternal life with Him.

This is not a bible verse....

"Imagination shapes your life 

because it is essential to living by faith. "~ Rick Warren

http://rickwarren.org/devotional/english/faith-requires-imagination

This, on  the other hand, is:

2 Corinthians 10:5

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 

 

How to Get a Miracle ( by Rick Warren)

"You can’t see but God can. All you have to do is hang on! You may be blind, but all you need to do is trust Jesus. He knows where he’s taking you. He loves you. He knows what you need better than you do. His way is always best."

~Rick Warren, How To Get a Miracle, rickwarren,org, July 5, 2014

So Rick here is saying that you do not need to "see", just hang on and take a ride,,, not knowing where God is taking you.  He says too that it's okay to be "blind" (and not "see,") because you can trust Jesus, but but then, Rick Warren also says in the same article, something quite opposite.  He says:

"The key to understanding what God is doing in your life is learning to see life from God’s point of view and having spiritual vision."

~Rick Warren, How To Get a Miracle, rickwarren,org, July 5, 2014

So... which is it? " To see, or not to see..." That is the question.

Rick is,here of course, talking to "Christians," suggesting that they are "blind" and that it is normal Christianity to trust God to know what is the best for us; that we should expect to blindly follow whereever he leads, trusting him.  But then he says that Christians should strive to attain, "spiritual vision" and learn to "see life from God's point of view.  

Which is it? 

 Rick is an expert at saying two opposing things at once, the point of which is, of course, to tickle ears of those who hear only what they want to hear. If you are listening to him speak and do not know  or notice the difference between what the scriptures say and what Rick says, then you are like putty in his hands, whether you decide to blindly follow Rick's interpretation of God's directives or seek wisdom from Rick on how to attain the spiritual vision that he suggested you needed to have in order to know what God is doing in your life.  

It contrast to everything Rick says, the bible teaches that  a Christian's faith, is a sort of "sight."  Faith, the scriptures tell is, is the evidence of things not seen. Furthermore, Christians are never told God does not want them to see.... or that they must somehow learn to attain the the position and vision God has ...seeing things from His perspective, if they want to know what GOd is doing in their lives.  They are simply told in the scripture what it is like to live their lives by faith in God an they are given a lot of information about who God is and what he is like so that they can know him.... and subsequently trust Him because of the revelation of who he is.  

 Offering some kind of special knowledge on how to Get a miracle, Rick has just roped in a bunch of people who have a need, but he never gives them Jesus as the solution.  Keeping people either blind and helplessly following his every directive, believing that Rick speaks for God as they walk blindly "by faith" or ever- learning from Rick about things like,  "How To Get a Miracle."  people run the grave risk of having eyes but never seeing and learning a lot, but never being able to come to the truth.  (See 2 Tim 3 verse 7)   In the Bible, people simply went to Jesus and miracles took place... but Rick  teaches that that getting a miracle is a rather difficult thing.

According to Rick, there are three conditions that must be met before a miracle can occur.  

 "Jesus uses this story to teach us three conditions for a miracle. When you need a miracle in your life," say's Rick, " ....you need to remember these three things."

 Rick, (who attributes these teachings to Jesus,) tells us that there are not only are there three conditions to be met.... but (wait, there is more!) these three things must also be remembered by the person.  

You better have a good memory.  If you are forgetful.... forget one of these three things... no miracle can ever happen for you.

Amazing.  People, presumably those who feel like that need a miracle from God are lead away from the giver of life, Jesus and told that they cannot have a miracle unless.... they do what Rick Warren says.  

Rick teaches:
1.  Miracles happen when somebody cares.
                                      (but you are not told how God already cares ... for you....Not once does he                                                 mention a verse like  John 3:16)
2.  Miracles happen when we get close to Jesus.
                                       (but you are not told to ask him anything.
                                        Jesus said, "Ask and it shall be given,"  but not Rick.
                                           He tell you that you must first meet certain conditions.)
3.  Miracles happen when we trust Jesus to lead us.
                                       (but you are not even introduced to who this Jesus is.....)


You can read Rick's article yourself.  See: Three Conditions for a Miracle, by Rick Warren , July 5th, 2014

Truth be told, if you need a miracle and lack the wisdom of how to get one, ask of God....  for God not only gives generously and impartially, but he makes it simple and  his burden is light.   and keep you working hard to earn the miracles you want to see in your life.

The true and biblical miracle of salvation by God's grace through faith, (Ephesians 2:8) is probably the greatest miracle of all, and it's a free gift from God, obtained not by works... but by simply asking God.

Giants in David's Life, Before Golaith

David, according to Rick Warren, faced four giants before he faced the menacing giant named Goliath. According to Warren, these four "giants" were amazingly powerful ones too.   Who were these giants,? (You might ask.) They were the "naysayers," says Pastor Rick, in the life of David, who as you know, is one of the people in the Bible.  

And these "naysayers," (which the scripture never mentions as "giants" of any kind,) are apparently pretty powerful.  Rick says,

"Nay-sayers can actually stop the will of God."  ~Rick Warren

Wow!  That powerful!  Those menacing naysayers must certainly be more powerful than that giant Goliath.  After all, everyone was fearful of the murderous and relentless adversary named Goliath, even the mighty warriors of his day.  David, however, was able to do Goliath in with one swoop of his shepherds sling.

It's amazing really.  Right before your very ears, as words come forth from the mouth of Warren, the story of David and Goliath changes.  It's not about David defeating Goliath anymore.  The story as Rick tells it, is  better and bigger than even you could possibly imagine!  Instead of one giant... there's five!  Rick makes the addition of four others, (those menacing "naysayers,") before Goliath even arrives upon the scene. And the story is not just about David anymore, but it's bigger than that.  It's about David and YOU.

Yes, you get to take center stage as the story miraculously becomes a story about YOU.  Rick becomes the mouthpiece from God interpreting the scriptures to help you deal with all the menacing giants in your own life... if you want to be as successful in your life as he is.  He tells his people too, that they must listen to and learn from him, if they want what he offers them.  Yes, just like the scripture says in 1 Timothy chapter 3, verse 9, this is pure folly.    

Job declared that God was all powerful, for Job 42:2, says just the opposite of Rick.  The reality of who God is makes stopping his plan and purpose impossible!  Acts 5:39, xample makes it clear that God is sovereign.  There are many verses to this point, including Isaiah 14:27, which reitterates that nothing can stop the will of Almighty God.  Meanwhile, back at Saddleback Ranch, there's a completely different story as Rick Warren shamelessly teaches that, "Nay-sayers  can actually stop the will of God."

Listen to him yourself:  Learn How to Ignore the Naysayers in Life with Rick Warren  November 2, 2015 

Rick Warren says determination and desire are not enough to be successful in life.  No.  You need tools and skills to succeed in life... and  of course, he has the tools you need.  He even trains "pastors" to teach, just like he does.  

In this "sermon" Rick leads his listeners into the book of 1 Samuel Chapter 17, where, by looking at the life of David in the bible, they learn that Goliath of biblical history was not the only giant in David's life.   There were, according to the pastor, "four other giants."  Pastor Rick identifies them for us and teaches us that these were the "naysayers," people in David's life who didn't appreciate Davids God-given greatness and held him back from fulfilling his dream. Akin to Goliath,  these giants were enormous problems for him because they were actually stopping the will of God in his life. 

Are you like David?  Are there giants in your life who hold you back?  Never fear, Rick is here!  

Pastor Rick  says you can probably relate to David and the naysayers in his life.  You can probably feel the same emotions David did... Can't you?  In love for you, Rick offers to be the one to help you overcome them, just like David did.  Speaking from his own experience, he knows everything about overcoming such giants.... (who really are just people you'd like to label as "negative" in your own life.  Rick is positive.  He loves you... but the "giants" in your life do not have your best interest in mind, as Rick does.  

The manipulation that takes place is rather mind-boggling.

Pastor Rick, he tells us, has had the misfortune of dealing with a lot of naysayers in his own life. After making sure we understand how he has been successful in his own life and ministry, telling us about his best-selling book and gigantic Saddleback campus as well, Rick paints himself as a picture perfect example for us to look at and therefore, learn from.  If anyone knows how to overcome all these giants.... it's Rick!  Having learned from his own experience, he can give you and I the skills and tools that we will need to fend off these giants, (not mentioned as such in the story of David) and their "negativity."  Like your negative, naysaying, parents. Did you know that, just like in David's life, your parents are likely your biggest enemy? 

 Rick teaches that David's dad "held him back" from experiencing his God ordained greatness.  As the first giant in David's young life, his dad delayed him from realizing his "dream."

"The first negative... or naysayer, that David had to face was actually his own Dad; and so, write this down: "His dad held him back." (minute 11:14-17 on the sermon video)

Rick directs the audience to write the sentence down, and goes on to read verses 12-17.   He then directs then to then circle the words, "held back."  (Go to minute 11:33-11:53 in the sermon video.)

"That's the first naysayer, and often times a parent will be somebody who holds you back and keeps you from becoming all God wants you to be." ~Rick Warren

"Often times"???
"Often times"  a parent will be somebody who 
holds you back and keeps you from 

being all God wants you to be?

What is this STRANGE wisdom?  Did he really just say that?

Contrary to Rick Warren, back in the pages of the bible, God's instruction to people is to honor their father and mother; to, like young David, "obey" parents, not think of them as people who keep you back from "being all God wants" you to be.  Not only that, but there is a natural affection between parents and their offspring. They are not naturally adversaries.... like murdering, Goliath type of "giants." But Rick teaches differently than this, that "often times", parents are the enemy... "giants" to be, at the very least, ignored.

He reads from 1 Samuel 17 : 12-15 and says, "David was held back (by his own dad.) to care for  the sheep in Bethlehem," insinuating that David's dad was a" bad" guy and out to thwart the will of God.  After all, anyone destined for greatness, like David was, would never be given the demeaning job of tending a flock of sheep, and David's dad, in doing this, was holding David back. 

Is that what the scripture says?

Compare some versions of 1 Samuel 17:12-15 here, here. and here... or use your own Bible.  Rick reads this passage of scripture and paints David's dad in a negative light.   It is amazing that this strange teaching then gets repeated . over and over and over, by his students... many of them in the capacity of church leaders, "pastors." who learn from Rick.. "How to grow"and change, into the appropriate role of "rancher" and lead,( rather than minister to) a congregations.  This theme of David being held back from his dream by his own dad is recurrent, even written into "devotionals" by Rick. 

"In David’s case, his dad held him back from the dream."

~ Rick Warren, The Giants Between You and Your Dream, Rick Warren, Jan 28, 2015, posted at www.rickwarren.org.

.

Then Rick makes it personal to his hearers.  He suggests that this concept, this notion that people, like your parents, like David's dad... "holding him back" from God's dream for his life, is familiar to you. He works linguistically to makes certain that no one listening to him can rationally disagree:

"Have you ever been held back by anyone?  Of course you have.  This is the first barrier to your dream, when somebody holds you back, a delay."

Prest-o Change-o!

If this has ever happened to YOU..... it's likely that you can relate and now understand exactly how David of the Bible felt when his Dad, (the first one of the four giants in David's life, besides Goliath,) was hindering him from realizing his dream... his "God-given" one at that!

Now that you are struck with a new way of looking at those dream killing "giants" that David of Biblical fame had to deal with, Rick moves in fast. Emotions are engaged and now, that all those authority figures like parents, family, friends, and "experts" are recognized by you and labeled "nay-sayers," just like David's negative Dad.

Are there giants in your own life who need to be reckoned with, just like that nasty Goliath?  Of course there are, and your friendly  pastor, Rick presents the solution.   It begins with listening to Rick who minces no words in asserting himself as dominant teacher of all things Bible...  and it ends with turning a deaf ear to whatever anyone else, but Rick, says.

Then he takes it even further, while dissing parental authority and labeling naysayers as evil "giants," who oppose God's dream for you, personally.  Rick Warren actually dares to assert that he loves you and is concerned for your welfare more than anyone else. Rick sets himself up as the person who loves you.  You need to listen to him, because he will help you find "your purpose," help you know how to fulfill that "dream" that God has for you... despite  among all the naysayers in your life.

Yes, listen to Pastor Rick....  and before you know it, you'll not only be brainwashed, but jumping through all sorts of "purpose driven" hoops.  You will be taking one Warren-designated "step"  after "step," after step, totally occupied with learning and keeping all the "biblical" laws,
stages of growth and requirements needed in order to be happy or  healthy, or get a blessing from God.  Rick will teach you.

He will teach you how to ignore those naysayers and soon have you taking his classes, buying his books, going through his campaigns with everyone in your congregation and if your are only five years old, you can bet, you too will be  taking notes at his sermons.   Rick' teaching and wisdom is THAT important.

                                                                        Rick tells people exactly what to write and what to circle

and what to remember from his sermon on 1 Samuel 17.

But what he tells the to write is a misquote of the scripture.

The false teachings fall like a torrential rain that would, if it could, remove the truth in order to make way for the new thing Rick is teaching.  Let's note how Rick says nothing about how the story of David, points us to Jesus.  He fails to properly mention how all those years tending the sheep taught David many important qualities and gave him skills that he used in his lifetime, things that helped him not only defeat Goliath and save the nation but helped him in understanding the heart of God as he served the entire nation of Israel with mercy and compassion as he served them as king. He delivers instead, dose upon dose of self-centered philosophy,  as well as his own ideas, such as there were other "giants" before Goliath,  to go with the bible's text.

The bad philosophy here in this sermon is one that says it is okay to ignore your "giant" naysaying parents, and subsequently in this sermon, he add, family, friends, and "experts,"  (even those who might actually know what they are talking about) if they are perceived by you as hindering your "dream.".  The only justification he gives for ignoring them, is the person listening to Rick has perceived  some "negativity."  

This is a problem.  

 Rick Warren not only 
misquotes scripture, but tells people what to write down 
 and remember.
. 
 It's cult-like to set-up people to dismiss authority figures

 in their lives while flattering them
and telling them that unlike these "negative people," 
(in his first example, parents,)
who are hindering spiritual growth and personal

 happiness, but that Rick, 
on the other hand, (and he tells them this in this video, )
he "loves" them., cares for them and 
want's God's "dream" for their lives.  

(Again, listen to the message, particularly
 minutes 3:09 thru 3:20 in the sermon)
  

In teaching 1 Samuel 17, Warren does not teach how great it was that this giant was slayed.  No. His rendering is about you slaying the giants that Rick verbally inserted into this text.  People are not learning about how David was a good shepherd and how he often he willingly risked his own life to care for his father's flock.  There is no mention of how David slew that giant that no one else could because God gave him victory, or how h did it, with a rock.  We do not hear about David's faith in God., or how it was that with a sword David removed Goliath's entire head making sure that he would never be a pest again.  Instead we learn the enormous qualifications of Rick Warren and how we should learn, from him, how to identify and ignore "giants" in our own lives, jut like David did.

David has a dream... and he told his dream to his brothers.  And as Rick says, if we learn like David, to ignore and kill giants..... once all the delays and hindrances are gone, we will see our "dream" come true.  David did.

And Rick... he dares you..."dream big!"

It kinda reminds a believing bible reader of Jeremiah 23...and having big dreams and the benefit of telling your dreams to everyone:

Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal.  Jeremiah 23:27

Sometimes God Has a Better Idea." (Sometimes???)

"Sometimes God Has A Better Idea" Rick Warren

Sometimes God Has a Better Idea by Rick Warren, May 21, 2014, www.rickwarren.org

Sometimes? Only sometimes?  Really??  Is he serious?  Think about that one. Doesn't Pastor Rick know that God's ways are above our ways?  Ideas, thoughts, plans,... "whatever" the issue at hand, God is always "better".  God is holy, perfect and righteous, and true.

Isaiah 55:8- 9 reads, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Perhaps you like that title.  After all, Rick is certainly getting people's attention with a comment that affirms people and gives them the idea that they are filled with good ideas most of the time.  They read this and can digest it so much easier than any notion of needing to repent.... because they like hearing that they are almost, but not quite, as smart and wise as God.  "Sometimes, God has a better idea," then they do.

Rick is twisting and changing the scriptures. He is not telling us that  God's ideas are always higher, and always better.  He is not telling people that they must repent of evil an turn to God.  Instead he uses the scriptures in order to tell you what he thinks you want to hear, but his agenda is not to give you salvation from your sin or to help you hear and know God, instead the point of it all is to get you listening to and thinking like,  Rick Warren.

To do that, (according to Rick)  "have the proper attitude:"

"James 4 tells us the proper attitude to have: "Now listen you who say 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make money.' Why, you don't even know what will happen tomorrow. ... Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.'"

 Sometimes God Has a Better Idea by Rick Warren, May 21, 2014, www.rickwarren.org

Rick is reading from the book of James, and he is rightly reading from a translation, not a paraphrase like he often does.  Rick then takes the opportunity to interpret that passage of scripture, for us.  He says,

"James is saying it's OK to make plans, but just realize that ultimately God has the final word..."

Is James here saying, "It's okay to make plans?"  (Or did Rick just paraphrase that?)  Did James write anything about God having "the final word?"

Rick, believe it or not, was giving you a "switcher-roo."  Rick is not being honest with the text.

He mentioned nothing about a change in you thinking... nothing about you desiring to be in the will of God, about changing your way of thinking from doing what you want and think is best, to looking to God's direction, leading and even unto him giving you the ability to do what you do.  Nope.  Rick tells you that "James" says, "it's okay to make plans,: (go ahead, made your own plans,) just be sure to realize that "ultimately, God has the final word." And note who God is made out to be.... for Rick makes it sound like God, with his "final Word" will be a bit heavy-handed with you in the end.

 Rick can help you with this though.... He will tell you the "right attitude" to have:

"The right attitude is to always keep your plans submitted to God. Make your plans but say, "God, if this is what You want, this is the direction I'm going to go. I'm doing this with flexible faith."

(Unfortunately it's a wrong attitude.  Rick explains God as some kind of a taskmaster who demands you submission, meanwhile he has you :telling" God what you will and will not do.)

Do you suppose that God is bound to be impressed with you when you "tell" him how you will be doing what you think he wants you to do,  with "flexible faith."

Is this concept of a faith that is flexible, even in the Bible?  "Faith is to be unwavering,  (Hebrews 10:23)  (not  variable depending upon a circumstance.)One can Have "great Faith" (Matthew 8:10) In fact, no matter how big or small a faith your faith may be as anytime, faith is faith and even a little can do great things. (Luke 17:6) You either have faith in God, or you don't. (Mark 4:40)    "Flexible faith might be a great sounding concept to you, but it is only a fine sounding concept that Rick simply made up.

Believing that you need to have "flexible faith" is the kind of thing that will allow your once immovable, unshakable faith in God to be reshaped.  Neither yes or no, neither hot nor cold, you r faith will be "flexible" and you will develop that uncanny ability, like Rick, to shape shift your faith and your words, in every crowd.  

This comes about by realizing how great you are.. how great your ideas, and dreams "really"
 are... while of course being willling to recognize  that "Sometimes: God has a better idea." But if you keep going down this path of thinking, then before long, you will think yourself quite complete... rich, increased with goods, in need of nothing, (knowing not that you are wretched and miserable, poor, blind and naked... completely in need of God. )

Jesus has some words for all of us on this matter:

Revelation 3: 18-19

" I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

PRESTO CHANGE-O! (Or, What On Earth Happened to the Gospel?)

Watch Rick give this sermon Here.

"God only uses you, if you're usable...." or so says Rick Warren.  However, Rick is notorious for just making things up... pulling scripture out of context in an instant.... so that it works in his favor.  He uses it to manipulate people....  one minute they are hearing the word of God... then....

 PRESTO CHANGE-O!.... what they hear simply gets changed.

There is an old adage, a quote of Abraham Lincoln, actually,  that says, "you can't fool all the people, all the time."  It's true, but apparently you can fool some.  Slight of hand is what magicians practice, but " change agents" use slight of tongue.  Rick Warren, a self proclaimed change agent has the techniques down quite well.  Watch and listen as he changes Christianity... right before your ears

"... because in the Bible, anytime God wanted to use somebody, he had them get ready first....he had them prepare first."

-Rick Warren, preaching a sermon at Saddleback Church, Getting Ready To be Used By God with Rick Warren, You-Tube, June 10th, 2015

It sounds reasonable to think that one must make preparations.  

In fact there are likely some good examples in the bible, but is it true that 

God always does this?  Rick indicates that God does

 this "anytime"  he wants to use somebody?

Rick suggests that  God never deviates from this methodology. Rick has God figured out... completrly.  He knows exscly how god does it all.... never mind that his introducing the concept like this is really so that he can then  give us the five-step, no fail,  preparation technique of God, which will now not only be introduced, but implemented by, yours truly.. Pastor Rick.  

Rick's use of such a superlative as "anytime" is suspicious.   

That is because, God, (being a living, personable, omniscient and 

omnipotent God, doesn't need to conform to the use of some "formula" 

in order to work in the lives of mankind. 

 Being God... he can use anything and anyone, even a donkey. 

 More importantly, God is known for being the one to do the preparations...

 It's his plan...not our own.  Even our good works are prepared for us by God.

 And when it comes to his own people, the church,

 (presumably this is who, Rick is addressing, )

God doesn't simply "use" people.  Rather he makes them his own family.  They become his permanent possession. not just something he "uses."

God makes resides in and works in and through those who belong to him.

In talking this way about being "used" by God, Rick sure is being tricky!  

Those who have the desire to be "used"  will stand out from those who don't,  and visa versa.  (And keep in mind... not participating in  Rick's program is like saying you don't love God.. after all you are not even willing to be "used" by him. Only a special few will love God enough to let him "use" them. (.. and therefore listen to Rick. )

Rick continues:

"This theme of being prepared so God can use you, so God can bless you,  is all through the Bible.  Jesus tells a number of stories about it. One of them is in Luke Chapter 12, where he talks about the importance of being "ready" for when he comes back."

-Rick Warren, preaching a sermon at Saddleback Church, Getting Ready To be Used By God with Rick Warren, You-Tube, June 10th, 2015

Then after reading Jesus' very words from this gospel of Luke, in the Bible, Rick asks the audience... 

"How do I do that? How do I get ready for the blessing of God in my life? "

 PRESTO CHANGE-O!

 This theme suddenly changed from being "used" by

God into me getting  something  from God....

which is now called getting a blessing.

 "How do I be all that I was meant to be? "

 PRESTO CHANGE-O!

 This theme of getting a blessing suddenly changes from getting  a  blessing..

to me, being the greatest me I can be,

Who doesn't like the promise of a fulfilled potential?

"Greatness" is just waiting for me!

(But wait... there's more.Rick says:

"How do I get ready to experience the power of God and be used by God in ways I have never imagined before?"

Then, mysteriously, while one tries to remember that 

this is all supposed to be about Jesus coming back... and what

he said as recorded in Luke Chapter 12...

 PRESTO CHANGE-O!

 This theme too suddenly changes...  It has become a promise that I will  experience the power of God.... in ways I never imagined!!

Wow.  Rick's question to his hearers after reading the passage in Luke's gospel about the return of Jesus is not  "How do I get ready for the return of Jesus Christ.?"  No, under Rick's leadership it 

becomes something quite different... more focused on me, the hearer,  than on Jesus' return.  After reading this passage, and getting a couple of   PRESTO CHANGE-O!s, I get to prepare for a blessed life and reaching my full potential but of course it comes with a catch.  It only comes if.....

... if I do everything Rick Warren outlines for me to do.

What happened to the gospel?

PRESTO CHANGE-O!

Slick Rick does a slick and tricky switcher-roo.  Some notice this,

 others don't.... because, as Abe once said,You cannot fool l

 all of the people all of the time.  Apparently, if you are consistent... and if you are good at telling people what they want to hear... some become putty in your hands.

So... How does one "get ready to experience the power of God and be used by God"in ways they have never imagined before?  It's simple.... 

Rick's  answer:  "You do five things."

 PRESTO CHANGE-O! 

Gone is a simple message of faith in the one God sent into the world to save humanity from sin and death.  Gone is the concept of not being saved by works, but by the work done on the cross at Calvary.  Rick is here to give you a list of things you MUST do... if you want to fullfill your purpose and experience the POWER of God.

Without warning, gifts and blessing from God must be earned.

You must... you must..... you must....

you must.... you must.... do these five things...

(especially number five...see number five)..

or you will fail.  Not only that... the gospel that you thought was

right before your very eyes... 

completely disappeared!

Rick begins listing the five things....

"1.  I must purify my heart."

Perhaps based on some scriptures you had  been taught, you were thinking that your meager mustard seed of faith and contrite repentance  was somehow important to God and you even believed for a moment that you were his workmanship... that somehow, because of Jesus' promises God was at work in you. Well.... hold that thought.  Don't let it disappear.  

 PRESTO CHANGE-O!

Instead of asking God to purify your heart...Rick tells his audience that they MUST

purify their hearts themselves.

 Rick lists quite a few things that will enable a person to purify their own heart.  He even  reads from the Bible to prove his point.  Apparently, we should heed the wisdom of Job's friend in Chapter 11, 

Zophar the Namathite.   Zophar's take on the situation was that Job's problems had come to him because of his own unrighteousness.  He believed that an impure heart was to blame for his trials, 

preventing the blessing of God.   Zophar, was completely wrong.

Rick also says we purify our hearts by confession.  He talks about the importance of confessing our sins... the importance of agreeing with God that something "I" have done is wrong.   IT's good Christian lingo but note...  there is no Jesus involved.  There is also no hope for me in my pursuit of salvation.. in my pursuit of all things God unless I heed Rick's advice on such matter, because I believe him that I need a purified heart... but I am doomed to be useless without t his purification because....

"until you get a purified heart, God cannot use you."

People are being told, that God is only using people who's hearts are purified.  This message comes with s list of things that a person MUST DO... or they are doomed to being  useless to God.  There's no hope... until you learn things from Rick.  He is, after all, the one with the list that is supposed to help you and make that all essential connection with God easier.

In teaching you how to purify your heart... meticulously doing so in this sermon... never does Rick mention how it is that the word of God cleanses or how God gives us His righteousness and purifies our sinful heart, as we confess our sin. (As it teaches us in the scriptures. )  Nope. However, Rick does have these five  steps...  but five steps is really not enough because....

PRESTO CHANGE-O! you also need a key.... 

Rick  teaches that  the "key" to being used by God is "not to be perfect..."  but to keep "short accounts"  with God.   

So... one needs a purified heart... but the one with a purified heart must not be perfect? This is confusing.

Rick continues:

"If you are serious about God's blessing on your life, you need to get off by yourself for an hour or so, and be quiet and alone with God, and you sit down and you say, "Okay God, what's between me and you?  And whatever he brings to mind, you write it down, you confess it, you tear up the paper, you burn it...if you want to.  I have done that sometimes.. throw it in the trash, whatever.... put it through your shredder..... but the thing is, you get it off your chest.  You admit it, you get forgiven and you get cleansed. NOTHING is going to happen in your life, until you do that.... purify your heart. "~ Rick Warren

Man it sounds good.   There's Christian words in there too...."God".."sin".."forgiveness."  Apparently, being forgiven by God for your sin is really easy... you just write it down, burn it up... and "whalla."

you are forgiven.. but only until you "sin"  again.... (It's a short-accounts kinda thing...)  Apparently God is keeping tabs on you... short  ones  only please.

 The Bible however teaches about how Jesus made atonement for us.  He shed his blood as the Lamb of God... ask any Christian, they will tell you.  Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin.... and Jesus did just that.  He died in our place so that we could have the free gift of God... but Rick doesn't make any mention of this. Using this method of pen and paper, one could easily forget all about the whole atonement thing.  It's so easy that a person could probably be completely forgiven of all sin in an atheist psychologist's office.  You don't need Jesus or his sacrifice, once and for all, all you need is pencil, paper and a desire to get something "sinful" (or emotionally taxing)  off your chest.  

 Jesus Christ, the One true Lamb of God, is completely missing from Rick's seemingly wise methodology of getting your sins forgiven.  This  "Christian" pastor doesn't even once mention how it is that Jesus died for your sin or that  he offers forgives for you sin... in His Name, all you must do is turn to him in faith.  Confession of sin, is not trivial... but neither is Jesus' taking of our place so that we though him can live.  To omit the Jesus factor is essentially the equivalent of leaving people lost in their trespasses and sins.  He who has the Son, has life... and he who does not have the Son of God, does not have life.  But in Ricks list, sins are not the only issue... you must be physically fit as well.

"2.  I must sanctify my body."

Rick tells us that "You can sanctify anything," as he teaches how to sanctify your body.  He says you can sanctify your marriage, your job, your car, your house.  He says that the way to do this sanctification is by "taking care of your body" which also equates to "taking care of your health." 

 PRESTO CHANGE-O!

Proof of sanctification is suddenly good physical well-being and health. One must not overlook the fact the Rick has a solution for that too, the Daniel Plan.  The inference is that  God cannot use you (or bless you) if you  are fat, and of course that Rick is here to  help.  But Rick might as well just throw Romans 14:17  out the window here because he's basically teaching that the kingdom of God is all about what you eat and drink... and how much you exercise too.  

But weight.. there's more!

"3.  I must simplify my schedule."

First, Rick has everyone write down, "I have just enough time to do God's will." Little do they realize it's become a test, to see if people will do what Rick tells them to do.  He says, "Write this down, " and they do.  How easy will it now be to get them to be involved in every other thing he suggests.... classes, seminars, mission trips.... small groups... and anything else he can think of.  Before long, people will only associate with other people involved in "doing the will of God." (Also known as, "being involved in Saddleback church projects.")

In order to simplify your schedule and focus on the things of God, Rick  then teaches that the word  "No" is a "positive term."  That's right... you thought no was negative, but then...

 PRESTO CHANGE-O!

 Rick says that's not how it is.  You have to cut things out, cut people off and have a plan to put God.. (aka Saddleback) first.  He suggests you make a plan, and then be "ruthless" with distractions. But really? Is "ruthlessness" a fruit of the spirit?

But it gets worse.

According to Rick, in the Psalms, where it says "Teach us to number our days" God is telling us that we must budget our time and keeping a rigid schedule in our life so that we can be focused only on those things that matter "most."  

Additionally, this whole "simplify my schedule" thing turns out to be another shameless self-promoting commercial for his upcoming "workshop" and "retreat" which he has planned... on the same topic.  The example of someone who knows all about time management is,  of course, Rick!

  In true, cult-leader form he encourages members of his group to voluntarily remove themselves from all outside influences and be devoted to following.. not Jesus, not reading the bible or being in a Bible study.... but in being committed to Saddleback Church, his workshops and campaigns and being in a small group... and of course, working on being driven by purpose.... furthering Rick's  agenda.   

It's nothing short of weird... and wrong.

To prove this point he talks here about  God giving you an opportunity for the best adventure of your life... but you being too busy (or unwilling to be used) to respond.  Rick  mentions nothing of God giving you eternal life through Jesus Christ.... or of you, as a Christian, possibly being called like Stephen or the other Apostles, to die for faith in Jesus.  There';s not talk of the right standing with God that comes via the righteousness of Christ imparted to the believe via faith in Jesus... no talk of Jesus even dying that your sins might be forgiven... though your purifying your own heart and being fully immersed in the  Purpose Driven paradigm of church life, going through doing all the programs and materials conjured up by Rick (and friends)  will you get healthy and save the world.

"4. I must fortify my faith."

 Here he lists  all the various programs he offers... things you can use in your life to "fortify" your faith.  IT comes with the  ultimatum that you MUST " Get a partner.  If you try to do these four things on your own you will fail."

Again the listener is doomed to failure unless they do what Rick says, and he's always adding more. 

"You need God a group and a guide...."

As what used to be "church" is being transformed into community.

 Father God, His Son with whom we have fellowship, 

 and the Holy Ghost... who leads us into all truth...is replaced.

"You need, God, a group, and a guide."

    He's right.  You are more likely to stay attached to the programs if you have friends in the programs.  He know too that a little peer pressure to conform to a group goes a long way... so of course he will tell you... that if you  do not have a partner, it's hopeless.  You won't ever be prepared and if you are not prepared, by doing these FIVE THINGS (without failure)  God will never deem you as usable for anything.  Rick said so, and he's the expert on all of these things you know.

Well, it's contrary to Rick's teaching, but the bible teaches that God often uses us... even in our wekness.  He uses us despite our weakness too.  In  1 Corinthians Chapter 1 we read, \, 

"It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God."

 Christ Jesus  is the one we lean on and who helps us in all our difficulties.  He is dependable and victorious too. Even  when  something  looks like failure to the world at large, the Christian can trust God will have the victory.  This is something Job exampled for us.  God keeps his word... and his promises are sure.

And finally... there's number 5....(on Rick's list)

(Everything hinges on this one!)

"5.  I must intensify my passion for God."

Sounds great.... except we love God because he first love us... 1 John 4:19.  Love for God is a response... not something you can muster up within yourself, as Rick suggests.  He suggests you cry out to God.... but not for knowing God or knowing Jesus Christ, His son. 

 PRESTO CHANGE-O!

This concept of "passion for god" gets changed... into  passion for purpose, as he suggests you cry,

  "God, I have got to know your purpose." 

After all, if you are purpose driven, you don;t need to know God,

 or Jesus Christ... just "purpose"...and mainly your own.

Rick also gives his audience what he calls, "the greatest definition of success. "   Noting, as most pastor do, God's picture of "success" often looks different than "the worlds" picture,  he quotes Jesus.... (in John 17:4) saying "I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do." then,suddenly this verse is  no longer about Jesus and what he did.  It is not Jesus talking about himself at all.  With a waggle of the tongue...

 PRESTO CHANGE-O!....

This  verse is now being spoken  as if by you...

 and   PRESTO CHANGE-O!... No longer is the issue  "God's Purpose, but your own! 

The very verse becomes words spoken by you  to God and it's about you, not Jesus,  fulfilling your purpose..."for the glory of God."   Jesus mysteriously disappears and everyone is given a commitment card to commit to Rick.

No joke.  

He asks people to make  a commitment....  to him personally... to purify their hearts by taking thedse steps he has just shared and he asks them for their  email addresses....so that he  can be in touch with them.

It sounds quite personable... doesn't it? 

There's a song, isn' there... 

"What a friend we have in .... PRESTO CHANGE-O!.... " Rick!"

Ecclesiastes 4... 9-12 is quoted, and put up on the big screen for all to see as people fill out their cards for Rick, but 

 PRESTO CHANGE-O!.... I have searched and cannot find what paraphrase or translation he used in his presentation of it on the screen and unlike other instances where he has shown the acronym for the paraphrase or  translation where the verse is quoted from, in this instance, this is not the case. 

Maybe... 

 PRESTO CHANGE-O!...

he changed it like everything else ... to fit his personal agenda.

Watch Rick give this sermon Here.