Religious Freedom: The “Johnson Amendment”
Not every Christian is aware of “The Johnson Amendment”, but we should be. Most pastors and other religious leaders are aware of it and in fear of it. The story is long, but a former Texas Senator, who later became President, Lyndon B. Johnson, had a statement added to the Internal Revenue Service Code of 1954. It essentially said that if a nonprofit desired tax-exempt status, then they could not promote a specific candidate for office or influence legislation. That’s it. It was meant to keep nonprofit funds from flowing into political campaign coffers. Because it is often misunderstood, pastors tend to avoid preaching along any political lines or even instructing their congregations from the Word on moral matters that conflict with legislation, such as gay marriage, abortion or the transgendered issues.
“You are doomed! You make unjust laws that oppress my people.” (Isaiah 10:1; GNT)
Give Him 15 minutes in prayer:
Fervently pray that the Johnson Amendment would be removed from the Internal Revenue Code.
Intercede for pastors and other Christian leaders that they would be as bold as they can be in teaching the Word of God about political issues without endorsing a candidate or directly influencing legislation, until the Johnson Amendment is removed.
Pray that Christians would become the lights in the darkness that they are meant to be. Our nation is in so much darkness now, because we did not open our mouths to prevent its encroachment in the recent past.
Write letters of support to your pastor. Write letters of support to your legislators where you agree and letters of concern where you disagree. Create a righteous standard all around you and across the nation, wherever possible.
A prayer you can pray:
Father, churches will not be fully free of fear to preach the pure Word of the Lord until the Johnson Amendment is removed from the Internal Revenue Code. Lord, our pastors need to be able to preach about why a candidate or legislation is right or wrong for the nation and provide a clear biblical “why”. Lord, forgive us for fearing man instead of God and keeping our mouths shut. Grant us a grace to openly influence legislation and to stand with those in government who legislate righteous laws. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.
Today’s decree:
We decree that the Johnson Amendment is struck down in Jesus’ Name!
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