Least of These

I listen to people say end the flood of refugees from Muslim countries and others say open our borders to everyone, struck by one thing - these are comments made by my brothers and sisters in Christ. I realize we need to vet people entering our country - I don't want to let criminals and terrorists enter the USA, but are we missing the mark here?

In Matthew 25 we find these words spoken by Jesus:

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the 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 foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Maybe people in war-torn nations are not the least of these? Maybe this is not an evangelistic opportunity? Maybe, I've misinterpreted the passage? I want to get it right, I want to be in His will concerning those who need help.

Over the centuries, missionaries entered friendly and only friendly countries to bring the Gospel to the lost, right? No, many missionaries entered hostile areas and proclaimed the Gospel to hostile people.

Ultimately the Body of Christ should be the Lord's hands and feet on earth spreading the Good News in love without a hint of legalism. I pray we see the least of these with the eyes of Christ and are filled with His love for them.

So instead of posting subjective Memes, every news article known to man to prove a point or dismiss an opposing opinion, why don't we dig into the Word and spend time in prayer? It will lower your blood pressure, diminish your headache, and fill your heart with love.