Popular Christian Pastor Joel Osteen spoke to thousands of people during "America's Night of Hope" on Saturday night in AT&T Park in San Francisco where he urged them to forgive others just as God would forgive any sinner.
"No mistake is too much for the mercy of God. The enemy is called the 'Accuser of the Brethren.' He'd love for us to live guilty and condemned. He'll remind you of every mistake you've ever made. He can keep you from becoming who God has created you to be," said Osteen, the pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas.
People might think that their past sins would keep them from having a healthy relationship with God, but Osteen said they should let go of this negative thought because God never gets tired of welcoming repentant sinners.
"God isn't mad at you. He's madly in love with you," he said. "God may not be pleased with your behaviour, but He is pleased with you. He calls you a 'Masterpiece.' You're not a finished project. He's still working on you. He knows how to put the broken pieces of our lives back together—it's called his amazing grace."
The popular Christian speaker and author urged people to "get back in the game" and do extraordinary things for God. "God doesn't use us because we're perfect. He uses ordinary people like you and me that have flaws, that aren't perfect."
At the same time, Osteen told listeners that they should live a life of contentment and gratitude, even during times of extreme difficulty and pain. "Here's the key—if you don't get happy where you are, you probably won't get to where you want to be," he said.
Even the Apostle Paul said, "I've learned how to be content," Osteen said. This means that contentment did not happen overnight, he added.
Osteen said people should get up each morning and be appreciative of God's blessings, even during difficult times. "God will give you strength in those difficult times," he said.
