Did you ever notice that one of the numerous amazing things Jesus could do as the Son of God was to discern exactly what people were thinking? He could see into the deep,inner recesses of a person’s heart ( the biblical concept of heart is the center of our thoughts, emotions, and will). In John ch.2 it says: 23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name. 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. 25 He did not need man’s testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man. John 2:23-25 (NIV)
In the Old Testament, when God was leading the priest Samuel to anoint the next King, he lead him to David, the “runt of the litter” in his family, much to his surprise. It says in I Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him (their present King, Saul). The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

What does this mean for you and me? It means that Jesus (God) knows every thought you and I have ever had… from the best, most loving and selfless thoughts to the worst, most evil, conniving, and self-centered thoughts! Yes, we are all flawed (sinful), and even when we do good things we sometimes do them for the wrong or at least mixed motives. Even when we think we will be totally faithful to God, he knows us better than we know ourselves, and he recognizes we will fail at times due to doubt or fear. (Remember Peter, the most courageous follower of Jesus? On the night Jesus was arrested, Peter swore he would never desert Jesus. But Jesus knew his heart, and rightly predicted Peter would deny him 3 times that very night, which he did!)
Fortunately, no one fully knows our hearts like God does, and he loves us immensely and forgives our destructive thoughts and works through the Holy Spirit to transform our broken minds and hearts so that we can actually have the mind of Jesus! How would you feel if you worst thoughts were emails, and someone was able to hack into your thought accounts and share them with the world over the internet? It could be pretty embarrassing for me, and I think for you as well!

So, why are we in our culture so quick to “pre-judge” others and use labels to define them, rather than actually take the time and effort to actually discern what is really in their heart? If our goal as Christians is to continually grow and mature to become more like Jesus, then we also need to learn to better discern the true heart of the person we talk about. Most people have the same desires for their life and family, but our divisive, politically-driven culture seeks to divide us and put us into categories and labels so we can easily dismiss the other person, falsely believing that it is somehow good for me to win and you to lose! Jesus came to offer forgiveness, redemption, and abundant life to ALL who believe in Him, desiring for everyone to accept this offer of Good News.

As Christians, we need to be leaders in changing the conversation away from divisive political labels and focus instead on how Jesus can bring us forgiveness and reconciliation. Maybe the disgust over politics today is a blessing in disguise: rather than spend our time, energy, and money on political interests, we can re-focus on the Kingdom of God and how Jesus can use US to change the world! How can we do this?

1) Stop pre-judging others, labeling them, and instead try to get to know them and seek their real heart and motives! Jesus warned us in Luke 6:
41 “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? 42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. 43 “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 45 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:41-45 (NIV)
God is calling us to humble ourselves and offer his forgiveness and hope to non-believers, not focus on the external things we dislike about them. Seek to look deeper than the surface of those you disagree with, and look for the good intentions that might be in their heart. When we see good thoughts and actions, point them out, and that might lead to future conversations where we might have an opportunity to more fully share about Jesus and what he offers us all.

2) PRAY! Pray for God to make you more sensitive to see others’ true hearts. Pray for opportunities for God to use you each day to touch others through your attitudes and actions!
Political parties, economic systems, and even our government cannot give us what we all ultimately need. That can only be found in a personal relationship with God, through His Son, Jesus. We Christians already know that. God is doing amazing things around the world through his servants who humbly submit to his plan. He will give us the ability to discern what he is calling us to do, and the power to do it. But we need to stop looking to external political corruption for answers, and instead focus on the heart of God and then discern the heart of those he calls us to love. I’m going to try to re-focus (again) my time, effort, and resources toward Kingdom building. Will you join me?