Credit: Flickr user coolrevolution (cc)
Russell Moore of the Southern Baptist Convention penned a very penetrating letter on the current hot topic of immigration.
He states:
The larger issue is in how we talk about this issue, recognizing that this is not about “issues” or “culture wars” but about persons made in the image of God. Our churches must be the presence of Christ to all persons, regardless of country of origin or legal status. We need to stand against bigotry and harassment and exploitation, even when it’s politically profitable for those who stand with us on other issues.
And, most importantly, we must love our brothers and sisters in the immigrant communities. We must be the presence of Christ to and among them, even as we receive ministry from them. Our commitment to a multinational kingdom of God’s reconciliation in Christ must be evident in the verbal witness of our gospel and in the visible makeup of our congregations.
Amen!
It is easy to fall into the trap of using labels to dehumanize others resulting in a lack of compassion for those people.
This happens between different religions, different Christian denominations, different political parties, different genders, different nationalities, and so on.
Generalizing people into labels removes the human aspect. But these are people with real stories and struggles looking for help.
There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28 NLT)
In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all. (Colossians 3:11 HCSB)
I’m not suggesting that there is an easy solution. However, seeing everyone in the light of Christ seems to be a basic aspect of His kingdom, especially those who are most in need.
I hope you’ll check out the link above and read the full article.
What are your thoughts on Moore’s article?
Follow the Life!
*****
If you liked this, please share it using the links below.
Sign up for new content at top right to receive future posts by email.
Yes he is right..we must put Christ ahead of nationality and/or politics..and Jesus Christ is our living God alive in us to flow out in loving care for other humans…period.
I think from the perspective of the Body of Christ, as Kingdom people this is a very important point that is made in this post and reflects how we handle it as a people on the ground.
I also see from the perspective of the nation and border states when zeroing in on the plight of the people especially the children flocking in to the US something needs to be done (i.e. secure the border). What I mean is there is a reason there is a current influx of immigrants especially children. They have been encouraged and instructed to come and what to do when they get here. If there were a clear picture that they saw – being, if we try to cross the border illegally we will not get in, then this would stop the flow of children and others who aren’t so innocent from coming into this country.
The issue with this as I see isn’t that they are coming into this country with the hope of a better life but in the light of their safety and their being taken advantage of. Many of these children are being abused in multiple ways that would have or could have been avoided if they didn’t have a green light to come in the first place. And their is no doubt that they are coming in and being funneled into foster care homes being taken advantage of and or sold into the sex slave industry. Unfortunately this is part of the reality that is difficult to ascertain.
And as a side note which kind of pertains is they are finding and arresting at the border people from Ukraine, Yemen, Pakistan and other countries that don’t have our best interests at hand (speaking from the perspective of the US).
So this is definitely a two or more sided issue and as far as it is up to the body of Christ in those areas that are positioned to help they/we can show the love and nurture of Christ to the immigrants flocking in.