Changing Minds - and Hearts

In 1st Corinthians 6, we can see a passage of Scripture that can reinforce for us the power of God to change a life:
9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. Those of us who have been born again and have accepted Jesus as our Savior have experienced true heart change - and if it happened to us, can it happen to anyone?   The answer is unequivocally - yes!  I know I have a tendency to look at another person and characterize him or her in a certain way - thinking that people, especially high-profile ones, are so set in their ways that they could never go in a different direction.  I think that God is calling us to expand our thinking about others and really see the possibilities.   He is able to change a heart and save a life, and no one is so set in their ways that the trajectory of their lives cannot be dramatically altered by an embracing of truth and an encounter with Christ.

Colossians 1 reminds us of the transformative power of God, the One who brings change in our hearts and minds:
13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

There's a story from the website, LifeNews.com that can serve to remind us that, yes, people can change and that the truth is a compelling force.  

J.D. Mullane is a writer published on the website Phillyburbs.com.   And, while most media outlets have been taken to task for their lack of coverage of the Kermit Gosnell trial, Mullane was there chronicling every day of it.

In a recent interview with Fox News host and former governor Mike Huckabee, Mullane talks about how the power of what Gosnell did changed one reporter’s mind on abortion.  He relates that,
“There is one journalist sitting in that courtroom who writes for a local publication who has told me that he is very liberal, very pro-choice, but after sitting through the testimony in the Gosnell trial, he’s reconsidered. He’s changed his mind.

Mullane also said that “Gosnell pulls the curtain back from the inherent violence of abortion...You can’t sit in that courtroom and learn about what abortion does to the unborn child and to the woman in many cases...You can’t sit there day after day and week after week and listen to that testimony and not be changed, and not have a change of heart, or at least reconsider your position.”

I think that so often, there's a tendency to pigeonhole public figures, and even people with whom we have friendships as being rigid in their philosophy - that they are set in their ways, they behave in a certain manner, and that's the way they're going to be - that's just the way they are.

The Bible is replete with stories of people who made changes in their lives - incredible transformations from darkness to light!   And, we are called to be agents of change - to give people the truth, in a compassionate and compelling manner.   If we think that people - whether it be a politician or journalist, or doctor, waitress, or customer service rep cannot change, then we are underestimating the power of good information, the compelling nature of truth, and the overwhelming presence of the Holy Spirit.   

I think on the topic of abortion, we are finding that truth is winning - ultrasound technology is giving insight into the development of a pre-born child, and now the exposure of the brutal and grisly nature of the abortion industry is repelling Americans.   More Americans self-identify as pro-life than pro-choice.   Even a significant number of those who would be considered pro-choice favor some sort of restrictions on the procedure.  

This is one of many areas where truth is resulting in the changing of hearts.   And, when we become frustrated because people see issues in a way that contradict the teachings of Scripture, we can hold out hope that their point of view can change, that their hearts can be tenderized by their contact with truth, and with people willing to speak - and live - the truth.