Maybe you have heard on the news lately how some folks want to move a political agenda through the nation by having the religious leaders speak on specific topics from the pulpit?
What happened to separation of church and state?
You might be asking yourself, “What is wrong with pastors addressing the rights and wrongs of issues and viewpoints that are before our political leaders?”
Religious leaders and pastors should be getting their message from God not from man. Consider what the disciples said were their responsibilities.
Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
Acts 6:2
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
Acts 6:4
Their priority was God. They were to spend their time serving God. They were to pray and study the Word.
Our pastors need to continue to serve God not government.
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Matthew 6:24
In essence, when government tries to tell pastors what to preach from the pulpit, government is trying to define church or even God. Instead, political leaders should be letting God define how they govern. They should be asking God how He wants them to lead.
The correct relationship would be for our pastors and political leaders to look to God. Our pastors do not need to look to our political leaders for guidance. We get our rights from God not government.
Our 1st Amendment says:
“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.”
In Revelation, the Beast and the False Prophet have the government and the religious system working together.
And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
Revelation 13:4
Let us, as Christians, not buy into that system.
Let’s continue to pray for revival.
LIFE APPLICATION
Key Focal Verse:
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
2 Corinthians 3:5-6
Today’s challenge is to pray before you support, endorse, or contribute to the spreading of an agenda. If it does not serve God, abandon it. Your ability to worship freely depends on your keeping claims on what God has given to you – your freedom of religion, freedom of the press, and freedom of speech.
As we continue to pray for revival, let us also pray that our religious leaders will not turn to government for leadership, but will instead stay focused on God.