“If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find in each man’s life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility”. –Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Our nation, right now, is more divided over political issues than ever before. Whether or not Judge Kavanaugh should be confirmed to the Supreme Court has divided us more than ever into 2 competing tribes, the Democrats or Republicans. The resulting rage and anger can lead us to perilous consequences, and I challenge all Christians to back away from strictly partisan views and think about what God has taught us and how he wants us to react and live.

Our small group is studying a book by Mark Batterson called “Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity”. One of his chapters caught my imagination with the title “The Tribe of the Transplanted”. It actually was a phrase associated with human heart transplant recipients. Batterson says “Studies suggest that the heart secrets its own brain-like hormones and has cellular memory. Heart transplant recipients don’t just receive a new organ, they receive cellular memories”. Charles Siebert observed that such recipients are often changed people, and have new sensory responses, cravings, and habits. Thus, the “Tribe of the Transplanted”.

What an amazing term to describe who Christians are! When we trust in Jesus , God gives us a new heart, the heart of Jesus. I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 11:19 (NIV) With this spiritually transplanted heart, we can now begin to see people and events the way Jesus sees them. Although we will still fail from time to time, God softens our hardened hearts, and enables them to break for the things that break the heart of Jesus! No longer are we Democrats or Republicans only; we now belong to a far superior tribe, the people of God’s eternal Kingdom, the “Tribe of the Transplanted”!

SO, HOW ARE WE IN THIS NEW TRIBE TO REACT AND LIVE IN OUR BROKEN, DIVIDED CULTURE OF HEARDENED HEARTS?

1) WATCH YOUR WORDS!
James says the tongue is “an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the image of God. Out of the same mouth produce blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be”.-James 3: 8-9
Jesus said, But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. Matthew 15:18-19 (NIV)
Remember, God loves ALL people, of both political “tribes”. Jesus died for ALL our sins, and his desire is to bring redemption to all who will accept his offer of free grace and a new heart. Our political system today is set up so one side wins, the other loses. God doesn’t want anyone to “lose”; his desire is that everyone has a chance at redemption & new a new heart and life in Jesus! People’s lives, reputations, families, and friendships are being destroyed, and hearts are being hardened and calloused on each side. All this is being fueled by harsh, inflammatory words on both sides! Jesus warned us:
22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ (empty-headed) is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. – Matthew 5:22 (NIV)
If this is true, then a lot of politicians, pundits, and commentators are in serious danger of judgement! But before we condemn them, how is our language? Is it seasoned with grace, forgiveness, and compassion, or we are too easily caught up in the rage of our culture?

2) BE CAREFUL HOW YOU JUDGE!
Jesus warned us: 1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.- Matthew 7:1-5 (NIV)
Let’s face it; we may never fully know the truth in this or any other situation in life. Even with new hearts, desiring to see the world like Jesus, we are still influenced by our own biases and sinfulness. Jesus is NOT saying we shouldn’t judge people or situations, but to do it humbly, fearfully, and always remembering our own failings. Remember Peter having a well-intentioned but false agenda, and being called “Satan” by Jesus? (Matthew 16:21-23)
THE GOOD NEW IS: Jesus knows our hearts, thoughts, and motives completely, and no one can escape his ultimate judgement. Ultimately, no one will “get away with” anything before God, and true justice will be served in God’s time. Many on both sides will be angry and feel justice was not done here, but we need to remember that true justice and vengeance belongs to God, not us.

SO WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO? JUST GIVE UP BECAUSE EVEN OUR JUDGEMENT IS CLOUDED BY SIN AND BIAS?
DOES GOD GIVE US SOME BIBLICAL TOOLS AND PRINCIPLES TO HELP US MAKE HEALTHY JUDGEMENTS IN LIFE? ASOLUTELY!! THEY ARE:

3) EVIDENCE AND EYEWITNESSES MATTER!
The cornerstone of our faith is the physical resurrection of Jesus. If that didn’t happen, Paul says we are pitiful fools to believe any of it then. The Roman, Greek, and Jewish cultures of that time would have thought a physical resurrection of a dead body to be repulsive or impossible. But, the gospel writers said Jesus appeared to over 500 eyewitnesses, who could be contacted to verify their experience right then! Without them, Christianity would have been deemed a made-up dream that would have died in a few years.
Both the Old & New Testaments encourage us to have “2 or 3 witnesses” in dealing with any conflict situation (Deuteronomy 19:15-19, Matthew 18:15-18) It is especially important in the Matthew passage to remember conflict resolution was done to restore the person to fellowship in the church, not to demean or hurt them! Our goal should never be to tear down or destroy another to “win”; or goal is to bring healing, forgiveness, redemption, and a new heart through Jesus.

4) JUDGE OTHERS BY THE FRUIT, OR CONSISTENT ACTIONS IN THEIR TOTAL LIFE!
Jesus said:
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. – Matthew 7:15-20 (NIV)

Jesus is saying that our day in, day out words and actions are a true reflection of what is in our heart. Although we all slip up once in a while, who you really are in character comes out in your words, actions, and your influence on others. Those who live with you, work and socialize with you know you best, and know your flaws and your redeeming qualities. Jesus is saying if you really want to judge someone, look at the reflection of their life in their friends and what they have done consistently. We all know people who consistently lie, hurt others, and are self-centered, and we know people who say and do encouraging and positive things that help others. This is a major Biblical factor in dealing with accusations that seem be out of sync with what we know of a person’s normal character and actions.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS, WHAT TRIBE TO YOU REALLY WANT TO IDENTIFY WITH?
Do we really think the Democrats or the Republicans are God’s ultimate answer to saving the world and bringing God’s Kingdom to fruition? Seriously, with this slimy cesspool we’ve witnessed recently?
I’ve heard people say that God ordained Donald Trump to be President (or for others, Barack Obama before him), so that they could somehow initiate God’s plan. Certainly God always wishes human leaders to benefit their people. But come on, brothers & sisters, do we really picture God pacing back and forth, wringing his hands over who the next President or Supreme Court justice is, or which side “wins” the mid-term election?

NO!! God has already sent Jesus to die for us, and through the gift of his resurrection gives us the opportunity to be forgiven, get a new heart reflecting Jesus, and become brothers and sisters in his eternal Kingdom! And no, his plan is not ultimately to use politics or even the wealth and influence of America.
His plan was to establish a new tribe of people, with newly implanted hearts of flesh, that would live and act more and more like Jesus. He called that tribe the Church! And he gave us a mission to share this good news with others, and live sacrificially, loving as Jesus loved us. That’s the plan: simple, powerful, profound, and life-altering!

I would suggest we all be proactive for the Kingdom by :
– Vote and pray for honest, caring politicians, and encourage all parties to get back to positive ideas to really help people. We all live in this place together, and as messy as government is, it can still make life a little better for all.
– Pray for your enemies and those that persecute you! It may or may not change them, but it will soften your heart and give you compassion towards them rather than anger.
– Support and be active in missions and groups that aid the poor and suffering and bring God’s redemption and justice, showing what God’s Kingdom is really like.
– Pray for hurting people you know, and look for ways to share the healing power of Jesus with them.
– Whenever you can, share the good news of Jesus’ offer of forgiveness, grace, and new life!
– As imperfect as we still are, let us ask Jesus to help us see the world as he sees it, and speak and live as people who have been given a new heart, filled with grace, love, and mercy. As Paul would remind us,
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. – Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)