Wake up Sleeping Church

Approved by God or men?

 

Are you seeking approval? Are you seeking papers that show that you are a church? If you believe the Bible when it says that the Church belongs to Jesus Christ, the Creator and Head of His church, then why would you want to seek approval from men?

The puzzling thing is that so many church leaders in America have voluntarily put themselves under the authority and thus slavery of the civil government when they are not required to do so. There are presently Christians in other countries that are being persecuted because they will not seek approval from the government to run their church because they know that would be sin against God. Down through history, the Lord’s church has been under attack, and many martyrs have watered the ground with their own blood, “esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt…” They would not seek to get approval from the state, with or without favors.

Why then this voluntary servitude at such the high cost of denying Jesus Christ as the Head of the Church? One reason could be ignorance. There is a lot of misinformation and just plain bad advice out there concerning how to run the church. Friends, did you know that the Bible is our guide in all areas of our lives? Wouldn’t you think that it would be wise to consult the Word of God with zeal especially when it comes to matters concerning the Lord’s Church?

Another reason some seek approval, is because they want the government subsidies that come with the 501(c)(3) status. It is shocking but true that about 90% of the church leaders today, have sold out. And this sell out comes at a high cost. Because there are stipulations on church organization with that status, the church cannot always say and do what she is commissioned by God to say and do. They cannot, for example, speak out against government public policy, even though that policy may include supporting abortion, sodomy, and pornography! See Application for Recognition of Exemption and U.S. Code for the conditions one accepts in order to be recognized or approved (registered) by the state as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, a corporation sole, or an unincorporated association.

Of course there are some church organizations that do not exactly follow the corporate rules they contracted with the state to do, and they go ahead and preach against sin anyway, even if it goes against public policy to do so. On the one hand I have a deep respect for these men for carrying out their God-given commission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, it must be understood, that once a church enters the realm of “Caesar,” she must do it Caesar’s way. There are those churches that have been tested on this issue, and have had to pay consequences for their disobedience to their head, the state, for not following the contract they made with the state. The best way to remedy this is to unregister with the state, thereby recognizing Jesus Christ as the Head of the church. You will have liberty to speak and do as the LORD God directs you.

Another reason some seek approval is that they say they need to submit to the government in all things and render to Caesar the things that are Caesars. (The Church is Christ’s). Yes the Bible does teach us to submit and pay lawful taxes. However, read on. If the civil government commands you to do something that would violate God’s commandments, we know from the Bible: “We ought to obey God rather than men.” –Acts 5:29 Did the apostles obey the government when they were told to stop preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ? They did not obey men but sought God’s approval.

Although presently, it would be a stretch of the imagination to think that we have a Caesar in America, because “We the people,” govern this land by the Constitution and the Holy Scriptures, while the government is ordained of God to serve the people by punishing *evil doers. That is supposed to be how it works. Our LORD taught that we should pay lawful taxes. He also taught that we should give to God what belongs to God. So then, why are the churches giving to “Caesar” what rightfully belongs to God? ‘Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” - Matt. 16:18. “And he is the head of the body, the church…” - Col. 1:18

Another reason some seek approval, is for fear of standing out, being peculiar, or being different -2Timothy3:12. Also, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”- 2 Timothy 1:7. "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”—1Peter 2: 9. If that is so, that why are so many churches trying to fit into the culture and society around them. The church is the pillar and ground of truth. The true church will have a positive impact on their communities, and culture around them. The church is comprised of a body of believers that are peculiar, or called out. Society and the culture around us are supposed to learn and benefit from having contact with the local church. The church is the source of spiritual truth and the light on the hill. Then why is the church trying so hard to conform to the world? See the behavior, dress, and music of many church attendees today. And most damaging of all, is the selling out of many church leaders, by denying the Lordship of Jesus Christ over the Church, and having instead, the state as head and lord over the church. All for what: for approval of men.

Because of the moral decline in America (traced in part to the church leaders selling out), evil is being called good and good is being called evil. This is because, the culture which has become secularized, thanks to the apostate churches, is influencing society where the state religion has become humanism, the god is civil government, and the laws change according to which god is in office.

The only approval concerning the church that needs to be gained is God’s approval. You can find it by praying to GOD, reading His Word, and obeying what He tells you.

I believe Almighty God, Sovereign over all, will ask for an account of His Church on judgment day. It is my hope that He finds you to be faithful, no matter what the cost and that He may say: “Well done thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of the lord.”

 

.