People everywhere are debating about the influx of illegal
minors crossing the Texas border. Should they be allowed to stay or should they
be sent back to their respective countries?
How should the
church address the issue?
First, the churches in America represent the Kingdom of God
and not the United States.
Second, the churches must follow the Scriptures, regardless
of what the courts, Congress or the President decides. This means churches
should open their doors to the strangers and foreigners among us. We should
find homes for the migrant children; feed and clothe those who cannot fend for
themselves.
The Scriptures are clear that Israel was to care for foreigners
and aliens in their midst because they were once in the same boat in Egypt.
Here are a few of the
many scriptural references:
“You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you
were sojourners in the land of Egypt.” Exodus 22:21 ESV
“When a stranger
sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the
stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him
as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your
God. Leviticus 19:33-34 ESV
“If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself
with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner,
and he shall live with you. Leviticus 25:35 ESV
“He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and
loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.” Deuteronomy 10:18 ESV
“You shall allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for
the sojourners who reside among you and have had children among you. They shall
be to you as native-born children of Israel. With you they shall be allotted an
inheritance among the tribes of Israel.” Ezekiel 47:22 ESV
“Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show
kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless,
the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in
your heart.” Zechariah 7:9-10 ESV
“Then I will draw
near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness...against those who oppress
the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who
thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.” Malachi
3:5 ESV
Should the church do
any different?
Jesus said, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was
thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Matthew
25:35 ESV
The writer of Hebrews exhorts, “Do not neglect to show
hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Hebrews
13:2 ESV
The church needs to be proactive. Consider bringing this critical
issue to your church board. Suggest that it adopt one of these little strangers
in our midst. There are people in our congregations who are willing to open the
doors of their homes and hearts. This is an opportunity to do something that is
part of God’s kingdom agenda (Luke 4:18‒21).
When the lost in your community see the love of God in
action in real time, they will get a glimpse of the Kingdom.
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