by Sherry Peel Jackson
As most of you know, I am a hard line Christian. I have been for 25 years. But even now, the church is morphing into something that makes even the casual churchgoer get the heebie-jeebies.
As I look across the country and see mega-churches and televangelists of all races and ethnicities transgressing the word of God on a regular basis and on so many different levels, I have to ask myself, “How did this happen?” My answer took me back to 1954 when Congress granted the “privilege” of being a “legal” charity to churches via incorporation and the 501)(3).
Churches have always been non-taxable and their contributions from members (tithes and offerings) have always been deductible to taxpayers. However, tax and legal “professionals” were used to make churches think that incorporating and obtaining the 501(c)(3) was an advantage to them. Now there are millions of dollars being made by lawyers and accountants as they lure unsuspecting churches into placing the State over God. If you don’t believe that incorporation and obtaining 501(c)(3) status are a real issue, here is an excerpt from a court case for your review:
“A corporation is a creature of the state“. It is presumed to be incorporated for the benefit of the public. It receives certain special privileges and franchises and holds them subject to the laws of the state and the limitation of its charter. Its powers are limited by law. It can make no contract not authorized by its charter. Its rights to act as a corporation are only preserved to it so long as it obeys the laws of its creation. There is a reserved right in the legislature to investigate its contracts and ascertain if it has exceeded its powers” (Hale v. Henkel, 201 U.S. 43)
There have been numerous court cases that have subjugated the rights of the church to the rights of the State. You can review additional information at http://hushmoney.org.
As a result of the State’s “rights” over these churches many pastors are afraid to speak “thus saith the Lord”. They are relegated to political correctness and appeasing the powers that be. Many of these pastors have become little more than motivational speakers; telling of God’s blessing without calling out sin or telling the people that they have the responsibility to obey God. These are the churches that are overflowing with people every Saturday and Sunday.
One of my pastor’s favorite quotes is from Martin Luther, and it is on point for today’s ministers. “If
I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every part of
the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and
the devil are at the moment attacking, then I am not confessing Christ,
however boldly I may be professing Him. Where the battle rages, there
the loyalty of the soldier is proved; and to be steady on all
battlefields besides is merely flight and disgrace if he flinches at
that point.”
“For
a 501c3 church to openly speak out, or organize in opposition to,
anything that the government declares “legal”, even if it is immoral
(e.g. abortion, homosexuality, etc.), that church will jeopardize its
tax exempt status.” Peter Kershaw http://hushmoney.org.
So as the truth of God’s word is being watered down people are operating in cheap grace, acting holy on Sunday and hellish the rest of the week. In addition, scandals in the church abound and non-believers scoff and mock Christianity. I find myself constantly explaining to people that just because this pastor or that reverend did this or that, it does not mean that the word of God is of no value, that every pastor is wicked or that Jesus is not real.
Imagine
someone stealing your bright red coat from your home, the only coat of
its kind, and committing a robbery and murder in your coat. When the
police knock at your door to arrest you, you will want them to
understand that someone stole your coat. You will plead with them to
understand that it was not you that committed the crime, but an imposter
that broke into your house and stole your unique coat! Will they
listen? Will they understand?
Jesus’ person and character have been hijacked. His name has been stolen and used to commit massive atrocities all over the world, from raping little choir boys to stealing millions of dollars from parishioners. He is not the criminal. Take a step back and look at the real thieves – the ones that use his name (coat) to do evil. Have compassion and eliminate Him as a suspect.
Now, find the REAL churches. The ones that value “OTHERS”. The ones that give to the poor, the widows and orphans. The ones that teach the uncompromised word of God. The ones that advocate constant prayer and fasting. The ones that stand up against tyranny. Cleave to these. These make up the authentic church, the true Body of Christ.
As most of you know, I am a hard line Christian. I have been for 25 years. But even now, the church is morphing into something that makes even the casual churchgoer get the heebie-jeebies.
As I look across the country and see mega-churches and televangelists of all races and ethnicities transgressing the word of God on a regular basis and on so many different levels, I have to ask myself, “How did this happen?” My answer took me back to 1954 when Congress granted the “privilege” of being a “legal” charity to churches via incorporation and the 501)(3).
Churches have always been non-taxable and their contributions from members (tithes and offerings) have always been deductible to taxpayers. However, tax and legal “professionals” were used to make churches think that incorporating and obtaining the 501(c)(3) was an advantage to them. Now there are millions of dollars being made by lawyers and accountants as they lure unsuspecting churches into placing the State over God. If you don’t believe that incorporation and obtaining 501(c)(3) status are a real issue, here is an excerpt from a court case for your review:
“A corporation is a creature of the state“. It is presumed to be incorporated for the benefit of the public. It receives certain special privileges and franchises and holds them subject to the laws of the state and the limitation of its charter. Its powers are limited by law. It can make no contract not authorized by its charter. Its rights to act as a corporation are only preserved to it so long as it obeys the laws of its creation. There is a reserved right in the legislature to investigate its contracts and ascertain if it has exceeded its powers” (Hale v. Henkel, 201 U.S. 43)
There have been numerous court cases that have subjugated the rights of the church to the rights of the State. You can review additional information at http://hushmoney.org.
As a result of the State’s “rights” over these churches many pastors are afraid to speak “thus saith the Lord”. They are relegated to political correctness and appeasing the powers that be. Many of these pastors have become little more than motivational speakers; telling of God’s blessing without calling out sin or telling the people that they have the responsibility to obey God. These are the churches that are overflowing with people every Saturday and Sunday.
One of my pastor’s favorite quotes is from Martin Luther, and it is on point for today’s ministers. “If
I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every part of
the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and
the devil are at the moment attacking, then I am not confessing Christ,
however boldly I may be professing Him. Where the battle rages, there
the loyalty of the soldier is proved; and to be steady on all
battlefields besides is merely flight and disgrace if he flinches at
that point.”
“For
a 501c3 church to openly speak out, or organize in opposition to,
anything that the government declares “legal”, even if it is immoral
(e.g. abortion, homosexuality, etc.), that church will jeopardize its
tax exempt status.” Peter Kershaw http://hushmoney.org.So as the truth of God’s word is being watered down people are operating in cheap grace, acting holy on Sunday and hellish the rest of the week. In addition, scandals in the church abound and non-believers scoff and mock Christianity. I find myself constantly explaining to people that just because this pastor or that reverend did this or that, it does not mean that the word of God is of no value, that every pastor is wicked or that Jesus is not real.
Imagine
someone stealing your bright red coat from your home, the only coat of
its kind, and committing a robbery and murder in your coat. When the
police knock at your door to arrest you, you will want them to
understand that someone stole your coat. You will plead with them to
understand that it was not you that committed the crime, but an imposter
that broke into your house and stole your unique coat! Will they
listen? Will they understand?Jesus’ person and character have been hijacked. His name has been stolen and used to commit massive atrocities all over the world, from raping little choir boys to stealing millions of dollars from parishioners. He is not the criminal. Take a step back and look at the real thieves – the ones that use his name (coat) to do evil. Have compassion and eliminate Him as a suspect.
Now, find the REAL churches. The ones that value “OTHERS”. The ones that give to the poor, the widows and orphans. The ones that teach the uncompromised word of God. The ones that advocate constant prayer and fasting. The ones that stand up against tyranny. Cleave to these. These make up the authentic church, the true Body of Christ.
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