Wait a minute preacher. Why so harsh? Because that is the depth we have to sink to in order to realize how much we need Jesus. This cheap knock being sold by Perry Noble and his cohorts in the Seeker Friendly Industrial Complex? He can't save anyone because he never confronts the lost with their depraved state before a holy God! Oh beloved do not miss this because it is the key to understanding why so many people will stand before Christ on the last day saying Lord Lord only to be told He never knew them! When you strip out of the Gospel everything that might offend someone who is lost in this world then you offer them no savior but themselves. That is why it is seven steps to a better you and that you are destined to reign. That is why we see so many Christian celebrities openly falling away or even denying Christ -- because they never knew Him to begin with! Dear Lord how profoundly sad is it that mega church pastors like Perry Noble do not understand the fundamental point of the Gospel? It is because we are walking disappointments that God sent His only son. That while we were what? Works in progress? No. His masterpieces? No. That while we were yet sinners! So while Perry Noble is upset that such theology prevents us from hoping in ourselves what he misses is the real Gospel places our hope in whom it belongs; Christ Jesus. I do not want to hope in myself because I understand that I am a walking disappointment. That fact does not anger me. It does not damage my self esteem. I revel in it. I bask in it. Because it is only through understanding my depraved state that I was able to see the need for my Savior!
3) "Trying" is the law. Perry concludes his little thought above with -- why even try? I could not agree more although Noble does not realize he almost tripped over the Gospel here. In the theology of Perry Noble, we ought to be trying and beloved there is a word for that -- law. The fact is that man tried for millennia and he failed. He was in fact a walking disappointment when it came to keeping the law. This is entirely the point. It is exactly why God sent His only Son to die on a cross. Because without Him, we would still be trying. We would still be failing. Yet according to what Perry Noble believes and teaches, understanding our depraved state before a holy God is simply unmotivating. Exactly. We need to stop trying. We need to place our faith in He who already succeeded where we never could. He who defeated death. He who conquered sin. He who vanquished the devil. Here is a hint Perry. It isn't us.
What would happen if the church began to talk about God's love, how powerful it is and how it can change someone's life! -- Perry Noble
I know the answer to that one! Then the great apostasy would be underway. And it is. Not that God is not love but that people who claim to represent His Word think that the love of God is devoid of the truth about our sinful state. This is carnal love. It is worldly love. To preach that God loves them so much that He doesn't see their sin? Oh that is simply a wicked, wicked lie. What would happen? It already is! Just look around the Christian landscape and you will see Perry Nobles everywhere. All preaching about the love of God without preaching about how that love was manifest:
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. -- John 3: 16 (ESV)
God so loved us that He gave up His only Son to die our death upon an old wooden cross. The scourging that tore His flesh off was supposed to be mine because I am a walking failure. The crown of thorns shoved into His brow until His own blood filled His eyes was supposed to us Perry. Do you see it yet? The spikes driven through His wrists and feet were supposed to be ours. This was our death He took. Because of our sin. Because none are righteous. Because we are a walking disappointment. Heck, walking disappointment does not do justice for who we truly are without His blood. Our throats are open graves. The venom of asps is under our lips. We are completely worthless. Thank God Almighty for His love for us even in this state. For it is only in accepting our worthlessness do we find the unsearchable riches and worth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and our Savior. Hallelujah to the Lamb!
Reverend Anthony Wade -- April 15, 2016
