I’ve been getting pounded lately from Branch Trumpidians – the “Christian” sect – about Trump’s great relationship with God. He drinks the little bit of wine, eats the little cracker, etc…

It’s no secret, and in fact, it is with a great deal of disappointment that many of us watched as the so-called evangelicals turned out in droves to vote for a serial adulterer and swindler over proven Christian candidates during the primaries.

The fresh hell I’m being confronted with today is a report from CharismaNews.com, that Dr. James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, has given an interview and proclaimed Donald Trump as a saved, born-again Christian brother.

Dr. James Dobson, who was among the more than 900 evangelical faith leaders who met with the Republican presidential nominee-in-waiting in New York City, says it happened fairly recently. He also said he knew who led the businessman to Christ.

“I don’t know when it was, but it has not been long,” Dobson told Godfactor’s Michael Anthony in an exclusive interview. “I believe he really made a commitment, but he’s a baby Christian. We all need to be praying for him, especially if there’s a possibility of him being our next chief executive officer.”

“I think that he’s open,” he added. “He doesn’t know our language, he really doesn’t, and he refers a lot to religion and not much to faith and belief.”

Well, isn’t that special?

It’s second-hand information delivered from a Trump surrogate, at a time when Trump’s campaign funds are dangerously low and he’s behind in the polls to Clinton.

With that in mind, let me say this: I hope it’s true. As a Christian, that is the hope for every man, woman, and child, that they come to the cross and know Jesus Christ as savior.

Now, as someone who knows that we’re to use discernment and not follow our own flesh in determining the truth behind such claims, let me put this all in perspective.

Trump has a big platform, at this time. The whole world is watching him. Those who are new Christians will often make mistakes, but I don’t know a single person who truly received Christ and that in-filling of the Holy Spirit, who didn’t show some immediate change, even if small. I remember my conversion experience. I wanted to tell everybody about it. I was emotional. I wanted to fall into the Word and be immersed.

I’m not saying I didn’t mess up along the way. I did. Often. But I was repentant, and I truly wanted to be better, so I pursued righteousness and the truth of who my Father in Heaven is and who I am to Him.

1 John 1:6 NIV says, “If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.”

So what are our signs that Donald Trump has had a true conversion experience? Has he gone to all those he’s attacked on the campaign trail and apologized for the slander? Will he settle the fraud case hanging over his head? Will he stop dropping the “F-bomb” at rallies, encouraging violence against protesters, or making everything about how much money he has?

Further into the book of 1 John, chapter 3, verse 9 NIV says, “Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning because they are children of God.”

I cannot overstate the danger of Trump’s position now, with those who are known leaders in the faith community, such as Dr. Dobson, willing to vouch for his relationship with God, when there has been no outward evidence of such. The world that is watching and hearing that he is Christian will judge Christianity by what he does and our faith leaders will be seen as promoting it.

The Great Commission requires for Christians to preach the gospel and win souls for Christ. If those who claim the name look no different than the world, what is there to draw others out of the world and into the family of God?

We’re to be a royal priesthood, set apart, in the world, but not of the world.

I love the Amplified Bible for its expansion and clarification of the Word. Matthew 5:14-16 AMP states perfectly the call for those who are in Christ, and why what Dr. Dobson and others are doing in promoting Trump’s faith to the world is so dangerous:

“You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; ¹⁵ nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.¹⁶ Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

That emphasis is mine, because it’s that important. The world is watching, and this isn’t just Trump’s, Dr. Dobson’s, or any Christian Trump supporter’s reputation on the line.

This is the life and soul of every person who might be wavering between accepting Christ as Lord or remaining in the world. How are Trump’s actions glorifying to God?

I hope it’s true. I hope Trump has made a real, positive move for his life, but it needs to be a salvation that he works out quietly, growing and strengthening his faith, rather than recklessly announcing it to the world through paid surrogates.