Since 1954, there has been an IRS rule that prohibits churches from directly or indirectly participating in any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. Tomorrow, 1500 pastors around the country will be opposing the law by expressing their political preferences and opinions—they are calling it Pulpit Freedom Sunday.
Pastors who participate will send recordings of their sermons to the IRS, to challenge the constitutionality of the law, and have opportunity to overturn it in the courts.
I wonder, ‘What has freedom to preach politics got to do with the Great Commission?’ Yes, we should defend our freedom to preach Christ, at whatever cost. But risking government reprisal (and spending our tithes on court costs) so pastors can tell you who to vote for seems terribly misguided. While I am not naïve to the importance of protecting our freedoms in this hostile culture, I have to wonder if this is not a subtle satanic distraction to deter pastors from their true calling.
Every day in the news, I read of politicians unwilling to take a stand (we call this ‘sitting on the fence’) on the important moral issues of our day: gay marriage, abortion, legalization of marijuana, internet pornography. Remember when Obama was asked about his position on abortion? He replied: “that’s above my pay grade.” [I am not disparaging our president; I am merely pointing out his unwillingness to take a stand.]
Because the proponents of these issues have managed to re-define them from issues of “morality” to “civil rights” and “free speech” issues, even many Christians are being deceived. And they are afraid to take a stand. But alas, I am not really wanting to talk about political issues!
Last year, I took a stand against a popular celebrity preacher. Some of my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord were uncomfortable with my stand, and some advised me against using “harsh” language. I respectfully toned down my language, but held fast to my position that this man was an enemy of the cross (Philippianss 3:18).
I believe the time is coming when we will all have to take a stand for truth. Paul warned “that in the later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1).
And how will we know deceitful spirits? They will NOT be teaching the cross. Paul said: “we preach Christ crucified…for the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:23,18). Will you take your stand with me today for the preaching of the cross of Christ?
If a person doesn’t stand for something, he will fall for anything.
