I don’t think I’ve ever gotten into politics on here before (although I occasionally do on Twitter). It’s not because I don’t think politics are important – I absolutely do. But there are so many clamoring voices arguing these days, and it’s better for my mental health to pick which battles are worth engaging in.
But frankly, watching Christians angrily debate over immigrants and refugees is where I draw the line. I’ve been so discouraged to see some who are genuine followers of Christ show so little compassion towards the needy.
The Lord protects resident aliens and helps the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked // Psalm 146:9
Hundreds of verses all over the Bible make it so, so clear that Jesus is on the side of the foreigner. He is a God who provides justice for the oppressed, cares about the orphans and widows, and protects strangers.
This is our calling too.
Provide justice for the needy and the fatherless; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute // Psalm 82:3
Christians, of all people, should understand what it is to feel like foreigners. We’re not meant for this world, and sometimes we feel that keenly. We were once outsiders before Jesus changed our hearts.
He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the resident alien, giving him food and clothing // Deuteronomy 10:18
There are hundreds more verses in the Bible explicitly condemning those who exploit foreigners. I believe that Jesus is going to return one day and say to we Christians who were alive in 2018: “What were you doing? How did you miss what I was calling you to? I gave my life to serve the needy, but you couldn’t open your country, your homes, your churches, or your jobs? Why is your comfort so much more important than the gospel?”
It’s easy to say that this issue doesn’t affect us, but it truly has eternal value. This is when we live out the faith that we talk about. This is when we give a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name. This is when we serve the least of these.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in // Matthew 25:35
If your heart is devastated over this issue too – let this truth shine into you. Justice did win on the cross two thousand years ago. Jesus won. Love will win. Death and sin were defeated.
What you and I need, what the oppressed and marginalized need, is Jesus. We need his light and his love in our lives. And this is our calling to be that light to others.
Church, let’s rise up and be the hands and feet of Jesus to our neighbors. Let’s show them the love that they may not see from anyone else. The compassion that we show will point the world to the one who loved them enough to die for them.
