Today's Devotional

 

October 1, 2008

                                                                                                                        

Subject:  Pulpit Freedom 

Acts 5:28-29- "Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men." 

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In a move designed to challenged the court's ban on churches being able to endorse a political candidate, a few churches around the country had what they called, "Pulpit Freedom Sunday."  The pastors from about 30 churches around the country, were chosen by the Alliance Defense Fund.  That is the group looking to challenge the IRS, who affords tax-exempt status to churches and therefore forbids them from campaigning or endorsing a candidate for office. 

This is a tough issue, but one thing I do know is that if God has told a pastor to preach a particular word, that word should be preached.  It sounds kind of radical to us because in America, it is out of step with much of the country to take a Christian-based stand on political issues.  However, I don't think Christians really have much other choice.  

Today, think about how you would vote if you had a scriptural reference for each issue.  That's what I call "Pulpit Freedom."  When we live our lives to proclaim His truth, we won't have to worry about the IRS or anyone else, because as the scripture says, "we ought to obey God rather than men."  Think about how you are voting and find out what God says on each issue.  

Carlen