As in my previous post, I want to encourage those who are currently discouraged by the state of the vocal church on this issue. Again, we have Good News in Jesus. God is sanctifying His bride, and He is growing her in righteousness. Jesus is not just drawing people to faith in Him, He is also changing them. He’s sanctifying His church by His grace, and He’s making her more like Him day by day – including the church’s reception of refugees. As I observe beyond the vocal minority, way more Christians want to minister to refugees than not, globally and locally. In fact, hundreds of thousands of refugees daily receive help from Christians and Christian organizations.
In the end, Jesus will present His bride glorious, clothed with the righteous works of the saints. And I believe that among those works adorning her bridal gown will be thousands upon thousands of cups of cold water given to the downtrodden refugee in the name of Christ.
“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed” (Proverbs 19:17).
* A friend noted after I posted this that some Christians want to limit these instructions on care of refugees to those who share Christian beliefs. However, Jesus also gives us the parable of the Good Samaritan, which makes clear that both race and religion are not prerequisites for obeying such commands. In fact, the Good Samaritan appears to have no knowledge whatsoever about the character of the person he helped. Again, Scripture is straightforward about our obligations.
Adapted from Wendy Alsup’s blog, theologyforwomen.org. Wendy has authored three books, including The Gospel-Centered Woman. She is also a wife, mom and college math teacher who loves ministering to women.
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