Do Not Mistreat
In the book of Exodus we read,
Not so long ago I was invited to an informal breakfast with a group of men from various churches at a local coffee shop. I’d been there before and knew that while we feasted on eggs, bacon and potatoes prepared in various ways, the discussions would be lively covering a wide range of topics.
I was not disappointed.
Prominent in the discussion was the immigration and refugee question. One man in particular was worried that the influx of certain groups would change Canada fundamentally. That laws would be changed to accommodate them and we’d all have to live by that law.
Sadly what he was saying is not all that uncommon within some circles. I even had a woman in the congregation I attend come up to me and say the same thing.
In both cases neither knew anyone from the group they were talking about. And when I asked what they found offensive about the law they feared would come in they couldn’t tell me. Both were ignorant and ignorance breeds fear.
That being said God himself tell us,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”Matthew 5:43-45
Jesus when asked,
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
Jesus replied: " ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.'
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:36-40.
The way I see it refuges and immigrants are a mission field coming to our doorstep. Many are fleeing a horrible situation in their homeland looking for a better life.
Jesus said,
"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" Matthew 7:12.
If you consider yourself a Christian would you want to be sent back to a situation that put you and your family in danger? I think not.
Therefore as Christians we should be showing the unconditional love of Christ to those who come to this country.
I know I am eternally thankful for those Christians who showed me, a new immigrant, at to Canada the time, the love of Christ.
If you consider yourself a Christian. Please consider carefully the way you view refuges and immigrants.
Not only that take a good look at yourself and examine how you look upon all those who may be different from you. Ask yourself the question. Am I truly showing those around be the love of Christ?
Please think about it.
In the book of Exodus we read,
“Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner,
for you were foreigners in Egypt.”
Exodus 22:21.
Here is, it seems, a verse forgotten by many calling themselves Christians here in Canada and the United States.Not so long ago I was invited to an informal breakfast with a group of men from various churches at a local coffee shop. I’d been there before and knew that while we feasted on eggs, bacon and potatoes prepared in various ways, the discussions would be lively covering a wide range of topics.
I was not disappointed.
Prominent in the discussion was the immigration and refugee question. One man in particular was worried that the influx of certain groups would change Canada fundamentally. That laws would be changed to accommodate them and we’d all have to live by that law.
Sadly what he was saying is not all that uncommon within some circles. I even had a woman in the congregation I attend come up to me and say the same thing.
In both cases neither knew anyone from the group they were talking about. And when I asked what they found offensive about the law they feared would come in they couldn’t tell me. Both were ignorant and ignorance breeds fear.
That being said God himself tell us,
“Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner,
for you were foreigners in Egypt.”
Exodus 22:21.
Jesus said,“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”Matthew 5:43-45
Jesus when asked,
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
Jesus replied: " ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.'
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:36-40.
The way I see it refuges and immigrants are a mission field coming to our doorstep. Many are fleeing a horrible situation in their homeland looking for a better life.
Jesus said,
"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" Matthew 7:12.
If you consider yourself a Christian would you want to be sent back to a situation that put you and your family in danger? I think not.
Therefore as Christians we should be showing the unconditional love of Christ to those who come to this country.
I know I am eternally thankful for those Christians who showed me, a new immigrant, at to Canada the time, the love of Christ.
If you consider yourself a Christian. Please consider carefully the way you view refuges and immigrants.
Not only that take a good look at yourself and examine how you look upon all those who may be different from you. Ask yourself the question. Am I truly showing those around be the love of Christ?
Please think about it.
