Well, here I am again; realizing the need to change my opinion about something. It’s something that not only has political and social ramifications, but spiritual ones, as well. An issue that seems to draw people to one of two ideological camps.
A real hot button for our times.
Illegal immigration.
Now, mind you, I am not advocating for illegal anything; but the immigrants are here. What should we do?
What would Jesus do? Which group would He be drawn to? Would He be a “right-winger” or a “left-winger”? Conservative or liberal?
I understand there’s an economical issue here. No need to discuss the obvious. But there is also a HUGE spiritual issue to consider.
What can I do, what must I do, to help the “illegals” God so dearly loves?
“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NLT)
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 ESV)
How much help can I give someone if I disdain them, rather than love them? If I treat them as if they don’t belong ANYWHERE, let alone MY country, how will they witness the love God has for them? If I judge them harshly for invading MY space, what kind of spirit am I really yielding to?
Does the Kingdom of God operate in subjection to the laws of a particular country?
If people are in the country “legally”, does it mean God can “legally” love them? If my memory serves me correctly, God loved ME while I belonged to a different kingdom. In fact, it was His love and goodness toward me that brought me to my senses, to my knees, and into His glorious family.
What I think of people will help determine the manner in which I help them.
Consider this, please. What if the Church, the Body of Believers, the Body of Christ, put their energies and resources together to carry God’s love to the millions of “illegals”? Instead of complaining about all the extra mouths America has to feed, how about we ask God to multiply the fish and bread?
Could it be God is sending the “illegals” to us for a bigger reason than temporal opportunity and freedom?
I realize this little blog will not change a lot of opinions about this subject. I also understand there’ll be some who wonder if I’ve lost my salvation, thinking like this. No, I believe I’m growing more in my understanding of my Father’s heart.
A question to consider: are YOU a person on the LEFT or RIGHT?
“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
“Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’ “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’ “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:31-46 NLT)
Final thoughts: were the “settlers” of Jamestown legal or illegal? Was Christopher Columbus’ group legal or illegal?
