There is no indication in Scripture that this statement is remotely true. Nowhere does it suggest that the shepherd boy David envisioned himself King of Israel before Samuel anointed him. Or even King Saul for that matter. The Pharisee named Saul had no vision of himself being converted to Christianity or how much he would have to suffer for the name of Jesus Christ. But Osteen's comment about the verse in Genesis intrigued me. He had a premise that God would bring to pass that which we were able to imagine and that there was a confirming verse within the Genesis story. Unfortunately, this was presented in a very misleading fashion. The verse actually comes from the story or the Tower of Babel. Still early on in the story of creation, all of the people on the earth spoke the same language. In their unbridled pride they sought to build a tower that could reach unto heaven so that they could make a name for themselves. God was not pleased:
And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. -- Genesis 11: 6 (KJV)
This verse is not confirming the notion that God seeks for us to expand our imagination in fact it speaks the opposite! It so angered God that He scattered the people to the corners of the earth and confounded their languages so that they no longer all spoke the same language! The story of the Tower of Babel is one of people whose imaginations caused their pride to overshadow their God! Pastor Joel was not quite done though as later on he would say that Proverbs teaches us that where there is no vision, the people perish. Now that surely sounds more accurate until you dig a little into the linguistics of the verse, which is Proverbs 29:18. The term "vision" in the King James is very misleading in the English language. It actually means "revelation" and refers to a revelation of God's Word -- not a personal vision we have of ourselves. The New Living Translation makes it even clearer for us:
When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful. -- Proverbs 29: 18 (NLT)
Well, the church is certainly running wild these days because they settle for Scriptures out of context to support pre-determined positions. We have allowed mortal or pastoral guidance to supplant divine guidance. The Word of God is butchered for personal gain and we stand back and say "judge not lest ye be judged!" Nonsense. The misuse of this Scripture cannot be clearer. The message was develop a grander vision so God can fulfill it and this verse was used to support it as if not having the vision will cause you to perish. Nothing can be further from the truth. It is not understanding the Word of God that will cause us to perish. Unwittingly, Pastor Osteen used a verse that exposed him; not supported his thesis.
The other show presented a trickier case, which is often much more dangerous. It is the little lumps of leaven we allow in because we think it will not do much harm. It is the preaching that is 90% spot on but 10% poison that ends up killing us. This morning Joseph Prince was on sharing his "gospel of grace." A dynamic and engaging speaker, Prince defines the ear-scratching messages Paul warned us about in the Bible. Prince has a pre-set agenda which he is not shy about stating. His messages seem to try and seek out Scriptures to support his conclusions and ignore any that might speak against it. This morning he referenced John15: 2 and claimed it was one of the most poorly translated verses in the Bible:
He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. -- John 15: 2 (NLT)
The claim from Prince was that when it says "cuts off every branch" it really means to "lift up." He claims that it really means the vine found lying on the ground would be lifted up so it could bear fruit because that is how deep the grace of God is. This sounds great theoretically but not so much theologically. Without getting too complicated, the Greek word here does have 6 possible meanings and "lift up" is one of them. That does not however mean that this is one of the worst translated verses in the Bible. The fact is that all of the commentaries written for this verse all agree it means to take away, not to lift up. In fact, just a few verses later we find:
Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. -- John 15: 6 (NLT)
A close look at the paragraph in question shows that John is drawing a distinction between people who are in Christ genuinely and those who are false. The distinction being drawn is fruit bearing. The message is clear -- to be a real Christian there must be evidence of fruit in that regenerated life. If there is it would be pruned but if not it will be taken away. This is also consistent with other Scripture:
So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. -- Matthew 7: 19-20 (NLT)
Are there some uses of this word where it meant to take up? Absolutely -- such as when the paralytic was told to take up his mat but the majority of times it means exactly what it says it means -- to cut off. All of the translations agree -- some with even stronger language. All of the commentaries agree. The context of the portion of Scripture he was reading from agrees. You may read this and think it is not a big deal but Prince used this point as the underpinning for his argument. Remember, God is a God of grace but not of grace alone.
The Bible says that the false prophets will rise up from within our own numbers and not spare the flock as ravenous wolves. I reject the notion that there is not a cause. When David first went to the front lines of where Israel was cowering in fear over Goliath he asked what would be done for the one who slays the giant. His brother was not amused:
And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle. -- 1Samuel 17: 28 (KJV)
The church today has giants coming against it and from outside and within. It is causing the great warriors of the faith to cower in fear. Speaking out against it doesn't get you the prime time TV spot or the overflowing tithes you think you need to finish your latest building project. Many will come against the one who dares to question and accusations of pride and naughtiness of heart will be leveled. My answer is the same as David's that day near the Valley of Elah -- is there not a cause? Is the Bride of Christ worth defending? Is the Word of God worth upholding? John Calvin once said that if a dog will attack when his owner is threatened how could he not do the same when the Word of God is attacked? The eternal destination for the souls of men are at stake beloved. You better believe there is a cause.
Reverend Anthony Wade -- February 10, 2013
