Like many Christians, I would like to see the values I find in the Christian faith also in those running this country, including our president.

Among the things I look for in a person I vote to represent me is a standard of thought and behavior that is consistent with a Christian world-view.

The problem, I find, is how we identify what is in someone else’s heart.

I suppose one thing we can look at is a pattern of behavior, such as church attendance and involvement, voting records, and other public positions in which Christian values are at issue. But even that can be mercurial and hard to pin down.

Still, some rely on what they see to judge for themselves; that’s often all they can really evaluate. So, that doesn’t bother me.

Recently, the Christian leader Max Lucado, pastor of a large church in San Antonio, Texas, and author of more than 30 books on the Christian faith, spoke out against Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, alluding to Trump’s un-Christian “tone.” Lucado highlighted Trump’s “antics,” insisting that, “such insensitivities wouldn’t even be acceptable even for a middle school student body election.”

Sure, Donald Trump does not resemble a member of any choir I’ve seen. In addition, he was lambasted for citing one of his “favorite” scriptures out of “Two Corinthians” instead of “Second Corinthians,” further evidence, so some say, that he is a Christian pretender.

And, truth be told, Trump stunned even me when he told CNN that he doesn’t regret “never” asking God for forgiveness, mostly because he said he doesn’t have much to apologize for.

I’ll take “Things I Never Want to Hear a Christian Say” for $1,000, Alex.

OK, so maybe Lucado’s got a point about Trump’s lack of Christian sincerity and living. But that’s also not what bothers me.

I never publicly endorse a political candidate or oppose one. I do not see that as my role, and people do not come to Bethel Church to hear my views on politics. And I do think Lucado has to be careful about how he influences politics from his position, but again, I’m not bothered by that either.

What bothers me is why this is even a topic of discussion.

And here’s why it’s an issue: Candidates know that evangelical Christians look for evidence of Christian faith in those running for office, therefore the evangelical vote has become a commodity – something to be accessed and bought if you have the right marketing and message.

And let’s face it: That is sad. It cheapens who we are as Christians when we allow candidates to pander to us in such a way.

The Christian faith, while it should never be hidden, is also a serious, personal relationship between a created being and God. It is a relationship of the heart.

For Christians, this is the most important relationship in their lives. It is, in many respects, sacred – holy. And so, it is never to be used as currency for political gain.

And yet, we see candidates on a daily basis holding up Bibles, struggling to one-up their opponents in their Christianity-speak.

I’ve got to believe this commercialization and politicization of the very name of Jesus, the Christ, also saddens the heart of God.

As for me, I plan to vote for a “commander-in-chief” and not a “pastor-in-chief.” I don’t need a candidate to recite scripture or hold up a Bible. But I’d love to know what is honestly in their heart.