{"id":23,"date":"2017-02-03T13:46:11","date_gmt":"2017-02-03T13:46:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/crosswalking\/?p=23"},"modified":"2017-02-03T19:48:26","modified_gmt":"2017-02-03T19:48:26","slug":"really-matter-big-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/crosswalking\/2017\/02\/really-matter-big-time.html","title":{"rendered":"You Should Care About This BIG TIME: It’s Time to Stand Up and Speak Out"},"content":{"rendered":"

WHAT IF YOU, AS A CHRISTIAN, WERE TOLD YOU COULD SPEAK ABOUT ANYTHING — EXCEPT ONE THING? Would that be fair? How would you feel?<\/strong> You would probably feel like your civil rights were being violated. In fact, you’d be absolutely right. You would be a victim of discrimination. Did you know that religious institutions in America are being discriminated against, and have been, for decades? It’s time we stand up and speak out for our civil rights — not some time in the future, but right now, today.<\/p>\n

Our First Amendment is first on purpose.<\/strong> From it, all the other Amendments rise or fall. Did you know that the phrase “separation of church from state” appears nowhere in the Constitution, the Bill of Rights or the Declaration of Independence? If fact, it does not appear in any United States law. <\/em>But the Johnson Amendment<\/a> forbids churches from endorsing legislation or a political candidate. It eradicates the First Amendment for churches – and this is a violation of our God-given rights.<\/p>\n

Remember, our Constitution does not give us our rights, it protects rights given to us by God Almighty<\/em>. The First Amendment says this:<\/p>\n

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The unconstitutional Johnson Amendment is a law that hinders religious freedom, the free exercise thereof, and the freedom of speech – and you, as a Crosswalker, should care – BIG TIME. It’s time to put the Johnson Amendment to rest, once and for all – and you can help do that in the few three minutes.<\/em><\/p>\n

Acts 5:27-29 shows us the courage Crosswalkers when filled with the Holy Spirit, facing with the choice of either standing for God or being intimidated by people:<\/p>\n

“The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest.<\/span> ‘<\/sup>We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,’ he said. ‘Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man\u2019s blood.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

“Peter and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than human beings!<\/strong>‘” (NIV)
\n<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Peter and the Apostles were concerned with far more than simply preaching and teaching about Jesus.<\/strong> The early Church was concerned about fulfilling the Great Commission without compromise. It’s not only about merely baptizing people, but about teaching people “to obey everything<\/em> I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). It’s about teaching people to learn and obey Jesus’ teachings about morals, conduct and living.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

If any legislator or branch of government attempts to pass a law that violates what the Bible teaches about morals, ethics and living, Crosswalkers have a God-given obligation and right to stand up and speak out about it.<\/strong> The illegal Johnson Amendment prevents religious non-profits from doing that, under the threat of losing their non-profit status. In other words, it tempts us to do the exact opposite of what Peter and the Apostles modeled. It tempts us to obey human beings rather than God. Have you really thought about this? Most likely, you haven’t. Our lack of thinking has raised up a generation of us sell-outs who are more afraid of people than respectful of God. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

As a pastor of a large church (GraceYork.com<\/a>), I know the temptation the Johnson Amendment creates these days, while politicians and politics have taken over religious, theological issues. Many pastors and churches have succumbed to the temptation, and avoid politics altogether – even when politics play with the Bible and our theology. We need to regain our spiritual fervor for God. In many cases, we need to get it for the very first time.<\/p>\n


\nWHAT’S A CROSSWALKER TO DO?<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. PRAY AND THINK LONG AND HARD about how politics and politicians have now become openly entrenched into religion in America. They want to be able to speak out religious issues while ironically forcing us to be silent.<\/strong> Now, more than ever, they openly dictate matters about marriage, gender and sexuality. All of these are theological,<\/em> not political issues. Why should politicians be allowed to delve into our world, and propose and pass legislation on such matters — while we are forbidden from doing so? In social media terms, that is a #doublestandard<\/strong>. Biblically, there is no area of life that a Christian does not have a right – and an obligation – to stand up and speak out about.<\/p>\n

2.<\/strong> PRAY<\/strong> that President Trump tactfully, courageously works to rescind the Johnson Amendment – because it conflicts with the 1st Amendment, which protects our God-given<\/strong> right to free speech and the freedom of religion.<\/p>\n

3. TAKE ACTION. TAKE 3 MINUTES<\/strong>, contact your senators and representatives by phone or email and simply say “I support the complete repeal of the Johnson Amendment, and want you to do everything within your power to work toward that end immediately.” It’s as simple as that. To contact your senator, take click here.<\/a> To contact your representative, click here<\/a>. and make your move:\u00a0 and . Three minutes of action could literally help change our entire country. Go ahead, do it.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

4. IF YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN LEADER, AND YOU HAVE FEARED PEOPLE MORE THAN GOD, IT’S TIME YOU REPENT.<\/strong> Pastors, elders, deacons and other leaders need to humbly stand up and speak out for religious freedom. In many cases, we have cared more about our 501(c)3 non-profit status more than our heavenly reward that comes by being obedient to Almighty God. Stop being a sell-out. It’s time to be sold-out for Jesus Christ.<\/strong> <\/em>We are wasting precious time – and that is going to affect us for all eternity.<\/p>\n

It’s time God’s people start standing up and speaking out, with humble courage. Not tomorrow, but today. Be salt and light – NOW. If we ignore our freedoms they will go away.<\/em><\/p>\n

SHARE THIS BLOG WITH YOUR FRIENDS. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS? I’D LOVE TO KNOW, AND I BET OTHERS WOULD, TOO.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

WHAT IF YOU, AS A CHRISTIAN, WERE TOLD YOU COULD SPEAK ABOUT ANYTHING — EXCEPT ONE THING? Would that be fair? How would you feel? You would probably feel like your civil rights were being violated. In fact, you’d be absolutely right. You would be a victim of discrimination. 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