Okla. Pastor Tackles Plastic Surgery, Suicide, Judgment
The pastor of one of the fastest growing churches is tackling some tough questions from his multi-site congregation.
Plastic surgery, homosexuality, suicide, and birth control are just some of the topics raised by the more than 20,000-member LifeChurch.tv.
LifeChurch.tv launched a unique three-week series this month on "FAQ" with Pastor Craig Groeschel answering questions from a biblical perspective, or from a pastoral point of view (if the Bible doesn't address the issue directly).
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Plastic surgery, particularly breast implants, was one topic many people were found to be curious about.
"Is it okay to get breast implants?" was the question Groeschel tackled on Sunday.
Broadening the question to include any type of body alterations, Groeschel said such procedures are would be wrong to undergo: if you're trying to find security in your appearance rather than who you are in Christ, or if you're using your body to attract inappropriate attention.
"My stance is ... God is going to look every time at the motive," he said.
"If you're trying to find your self-worth and your security in your appearance, I promise you you are fighting a losing battle. Gravity and time will always win no matter what you do."
On the matter of Christians using birth control, Groeschel doesn't believe it is necessarily wrong to use it, but he said personally he believes people are "limiting the blessings of God."
"I believe it's tragic that people choose not to have more blessings because 'we can't afford it' or 'we don't have time.'"
The Edmond, Okla., pastor made clear to his congregation that he believes the Bible is the word of God. And if the Bible answers a question that is raised directly, he will answer according to the Bible. Otherwise, he will look for biblical principles to apply or express his own opinion in other cases.
Onto another question, Groeschel was asked, "If God forgives your sin, why is He going to judge us for our sins after we die?"
The multi-site church pastor stressed that Christians will not be judged for their sins when they die.
"God's already judged your sins when Jesus died on the cross and so your sins are forever forgiven," he explained.
There are two different judgments, he noted. The "great white throne judgment" is for unbelievers and there their sins will be judged. Christians, meanwhile, will be judged at the "judgment seat of Christ" for their works on earth and how they will be rewarded. Their eternal destiny was already determined on earth.
Also raised during the weekend service was a common and familiar question that is often posed to Christians: Why would God allow bad things to happen to good people?
Admitting that he isn't able to give a perfect or complete answer, Groeschel said, "The reason this is such a big problem is because, I would argue, there's a lot of unintentional false advertising when it comes to Christianity."
"There are many churches, ... Christian radio stations, ... organizations that I love that have a slogan 'Life is better with God,' which is true if you define 'better' the right way."
"There is no promise that says if you do life with God it's always going to be trouble-free," he emphasized.
But the question itself is flawed, the pastor contended.
"In reality, none of us are good," he said. "And we have to understand that."
"Our heart is deceitful above all things. We are flawed; we are sinful. In the eyes of God our best attempt at righteousness is as filthy rags," he continued. "You must start with the goodness of God, not with the goodness of man ... then you will thank Him that he is not always fair.
"He's not always fair ... because He would give us what our sins deserve. If you're a Christian, you do not get what your sins deserve. You get eternal life through Christ."
Regarding the serious and sensitive matter of suicide and whether those who commit it go to hell, the LifeChurch.tv pastor made sure he was cautious and compassionate in his response, acknowledging that there are many who have been affected by it.
"I do believe taking your life is unquestionably a sin. It's also one of the most selfish things you can do," he said.
But he added, "I see only one sin in the Bible which is unforgivable – the unpardonable sin of the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.
"It is my hope that just as all other sins are forgivable that this one is as well. I say that with more caution; never ever use that as a justification. ... It is never the answer. There is always love in Christ."
The "FAQ" message series wraps up this weekend.
