How Close Are We?

How Close Are We? by Bill Wilson

How close are we to losing our liberty? When I began going to West Africa, Ghana was a dictatorship. I escaped an airport bombing and led eight missionaries through a coup attempt in another country.

Freedom is not for the weak. We Americans have no idea how close we have been (and are) to losing our Liberty. The previous eight years was an all out attack on the American ideal.

My ministry partner William Agbeti in Ghana has witnessed and has lived through several dictatorships. He says it is a spirit of dictatorship that he sees in the current president and many of those of his party.

I asked him how to stand against this spirit, and what Christians did in Ghana to gain and preserve liberty. His insights may be your most important read of the year.

William says, "Coming from a so-called third world country and having experienced first hand the rule of dictators, the US president's "third term" statement, and the "shadow government" moves he's making clearly indicate to me the presence of the spirit of dictatorship in him.

"If my analysis is correct, this simply means that If he were a president in a third world country, he would indisputably attempt to change things to continue in power after the legal constitutional term; or, if dictatorship is not possible for him, then the spirit will drive him to start a shadow government, leading to an eventual overthrow of the legitimate US government through various means.

"Your president seems to have uncompleted business--to change America--and it is likely he is not going to relent until it is done.

"The role of the Christian and allied communities throughout the dictatorships cannot be downplayed. There were organized and constant all-night prayers, church services and peaceful marches. The heavens were bombarded with unceasing prayers. Above all, there were the rise of various sole but bold leaders and journalists like you (Bill Wilson) who gave voice to the people to help bring down oppressive regimes.

"I was the Editor of a national religious-based weekly that helped a great deal to topple a military dictatorship in Ghana. The mainstream media produced very few outlets that became thorns in the flesh of evil regimes in Ghana. The majority of the press was bought by dictators and placed on their payrolls.

"The hallmarks of the successful overthrow of evil regimes have included, but are not limited to:

1. emergence of sole opposition leaders around whom the masses build resistance

2. involvement of the people in civil disobedience

3. alignment with foreign governments and powers

4. revolts sparked by unfortunate killings of innocent people, etc.

"There is no single thing at play in dealing with dictatorships. That notwithstanding, I think it is time for American Christians to stop the emerging evil shadow government with one thing: that is, to send out a massive clarion call to prayer, with the support of Christian communities worldwide.

"Owing to the complexity of the American system of governance, if this is not done, it will be easy for a smart dictator to run America, hiding behind rules and regulations which your current president has already set in place."

Reader, do you see the similarities with what Ghana experienced leading to dictatorships-over regulation, shadow governments, news media employment?

Ronald Reagan once said, "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same."

For us as Christians, Galatians 5:1 says, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again in the yoke of bondage."

Both are good advice.

Americans, especially Christian Americans, must learn how to stand fast, to be ever vigilant--in both our spiritual and physical freedom.

Our generation must do so or we and our progeny will face the consequences of our inaction.