America has been deceived. This deception has been intentional on the part of some, and “the father of lies” is definitely a factor. Much of the deception, however, is unintentional and the result of promoting or accepting a belief system that basically denies absolute truth and the life made possible by knowing the truth — a Person — in a personal relationship. The powerful effect of lives transformed by truth is undeniable, for it is magnetically attractive. Christ said, “If I be lifted up I will draw all men unto myself.” The clear revelation of Christ and the love revealed through His sacrificial death on the cross on our behalf and of His resurrection leads people to respond by yielding their lives to His will.

Jesus challenges His followers to lose their lives in His purpose. In so doing, He promises they will discover purpose-led living along with the possibilities Spirit-led life produces in those yielded to Him. Before Christ ascended into the heavenly realm to be seated at the right hand of the Father, where He intercedes on our behalf, He commissioned His followers to “go into all the world and make disciples of the nations.” Those who obey this commission make a positive impact not only on individuals in their immediate circle of influence, but also on nations, as history clearly reveals.

At the same time, through the negative influence of “powers and principalities” in the realm of darkness, many are deceived, and in their deception also contribute to the deception of the nations rather than making disciples of them. This results in confusion, chaos, and corruption.

Poor Substitutes

The subtle Deceiver has led multitudes to substitute religious traditions for a personal relationship with God through trust in Christ, and church membership has replaced the fellowship available in a family of faith-filled believers. The life of God is absent along with the visible manifestation of Spirit-led fruitfulness. Love and compassion, along with holy boldness, courage, and deep conviction has vanished.

Multitudes have foolishly substituted going to church for being the Church. They become hearers of the Word rather than doers of the Word. Instead of being light revealed, they have allowed their testimony to be covered by compromise, conformity, and complacency. Rather than helping disciple the nations, believers have contributed to the deception of the nations by failing to proclaim the truth and demonstrate its transforming power. Consequently, people are passive, indifferent, silent, and slow to action.

Christians have been deceived into not making an impact on national leadership and policy. They have hidden the light of God’s transforming truth under religious covering. May God forgive us and deliver us from this practice.

Believers have failed to support biblical principles while opposing those that are contrary to the Judeo-Christian principles of our Founders and in our Constitution. All Christians must decide not only to pray for God to lead, but also begin to boldly follow Divine leadership and fulfill the Great Commission. This challenge for those who have the privilege to choose demands that we do so wisely.

Policing Ourselves

While actively participating in the process of selection, we must also keep in mind that the greatest leaders and the best possible government cannot control corrupt citizens. There is no substitute for what God can do to change lives. As Chuck Colson once said, “The more cops we have inside, the fewer we need outside.”

Living under the control of a loving and wise Father is absolutely essential. Divine Providence is necessary, as our founding father George Washington so frequently stated and the founders openly confirmed. It is reverential respect and the fear of God that makes peace and security possible. The liberal, progressive, statist advocates fear that true believers and people of faith are about to wake up and take a stand. Thomas Jefferson said, “When the people fear their government there is tyranny. When the government fears the people there is liberty.”

The answers to our problems are thus: First, become a disciple of Christ. Then make disciples of your own family, of those within the church fellowship, and of the nations.

There is no shortcut. As founder and statesman Samuel Adams said, “Neither the wisest Constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt.”

Now is the time to get started by becoming disciples and making disciples. Yes, even of the nations.

James Robison is founder and publisher of The Stream, as well as founder of LIFE Outreach International and cohost of LIFE Today.