NO ONE SEEMS TO BE PREACHING ON THESE VERSES

Leviticus 19:33-34  [NASB]

“When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong.  The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt; I am the LORD”

Matthew 25:35  [NASB]

“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 invited Me in…”

Hebrews 13:2  [NASB]

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

I Peter 4:9  [NASB]

“Be hospitable to one another without complaint.”

Leviticus 24:22  [NASB]

“There shall be one standard for you; it shall be for the stranger as well as the native, for I am the LORD your God.”

Exodus 22:21  [NASB]

“You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” 

Malachi 3:5  [NASB]

“Then I will draw near to you for judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers and against the adulterers and against those who oppress the wage earner in his wages, the widow and the orphan, and those who turn aside the alien and do not fear Me,” says the LORD of hosts. 

Galatians 3:28 [NASB]

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Galatians 5:14  [NASB]

“For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’”

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I am not happy about the condition of our borders (north and south).  I believe a nation is defined by clearly identified and defended borders and firm laws about allowing people to cross those borders.  Up until a few years ago, I was proud to be a part of the country that had the most generous and clear admission guidelines for entering our nation and even becoming a citizen.  Not so, now. 

HOWEVER, despite the disagreement many of us have with these conditions, we must adhere to the counsel of the Word of God by welcoming the nearly six million illegal aliens who are filtering into all parts of our country!  Hostilities and opinions aside, they are simply seeking a better way of life and the greater opportunities available in our once-great land!  They are fulfilling their dream!

Despite our opposition to the irresponsible actions of our current administration - that have opened our borders - we must welcome these immigrants and offer our assistance as they seek to assimilate into our culture.  As followers of Christ, we have no other option.  Obedience implies acceptance!  If we were in their shoes – we would want to be welcomed! 

And our welcome should not be motivated simply by obedience!  God’s Word repeatedly exhorts us to recognize that we are all immigrants – or have been at some time in the past.  Our welcome should also be tempered by compassion – genuine and generous!  Dare we say that we should even be seeking them out and offering a welcoming and helping hand? 

As a Lyft driver, I can tell you with certainty that they are among us!  I give them rides almost every day – whether driving in Youngstown/Warren or Pittsburgh!  Communications are a challenge since most don’t yet speak English with any degree of fluency.  Over and over again, in recent weeks, I have wished that I had kept up with the two years of Spanish I took way back in junior high school!  How I would love to be able to dialogue with my passengers! 

I reiterate it is possible for us to disagree with the policies that allow this breach of law at our borders, but still be civil and even welcoming to those who are taking advantage of the foolhardy and dastardly policies regarding our borders on the part of our current administration. 

As followers of Christ, our behavior and responses are clearly dictated by the Word of God and His Spirit that directs us from within!  God, help us to be on the right side of this issue!  And may our churches recognize the opportunity for caring and evangelism that is presenting itself at our doorstep!  Shouldn't our churches be leading us in this mission of love and acceptance?