It requires a very vague personal responsibility, and people don't want to accept the responsibility for their actions. They want to think it is "outside forces" that make them what they are, and while their parents, teachers, coaches and mentors have had a lot to do with forming them in many different wants, none of those people make us do anything. We are responsible for how we feel, how we think, how we talk, how we act. No one wants to hear that message, or particularly the consequences of those behaviors. Osteen makes it possible to chew on "a little bit of the gospel" without really having to hear the truth about ourselves, and about God.I don't know what Washer said because I haven't heard his sermon, but that passage talks about the "narrow path" being made narrow by the obstacles we put in place between us and God. That is the meaning behind the Greek text. It isn't that narrow until we start putting "idols" in the way that make it difficult to navigate the path. Kind of like your garage. LOLEven having said what I did about personal responsibility, there are those who are too new to the faith, or are still seeking, to know the truth from the lies, and Osteen doesn't hit on the truth forcefully enough or often enough for them to get the gospel bare and unadulterated. Remember, teachers are held to a higher standard. They best be teaching what the Bible teaches, and what people need to hear.Predestination isn't a doctrine of "you're chosen and you're not." Predestination is defined in Romans 8:29, 30 -- "For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified." This passage must be read as the foundational passage for election and predestination throughout the rest of the New Testament. He "foreknew" all who would come to Him, but He did not limit who would come. Those He foreknew, He "predestined" (decreed, appointed, settled beforehand) to be conformed to His image. It has nothing to do with election, but is the result of coming to the Lord. "Election" is not as is taught by the "five-pointers" as being a limitation on who shall come, but rather is the acceptance of a true and righteous confession by God. Anyone can make that confession, there are no limitations. Teaching there are is to put God in a box. It is the Holy Spirit who draws, the Holy Spirit who puts the gospel in front of the "seeker" so anyone who claims to be preaching a gospel message has an awesome responsibility to "preach it right."
