"But is he Syrian?"
". . . speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ." Ephesians 4:15
Dear friends, prayer and financial partners,
The truth is not always popular. Yet, as Christians we must be truthful. We know, however, that that is not always the case. Particularly is this the case during the heat of a political campaign. So, what I am about to say may not set right with some, but it is the truth as far as I can tell.
What I have in mind is the fuss over the Syrian refugee problem. Shall we let Syrian refugees in, or shall we not? Let me begin by saying that this is not the first time refugees have been a topic of heated discussion. Some of the more popular refugees in the Bible are Joseph, Moses, and Esther. However, there were many many more. For example, Isaac and Rebekah (Genesis 26) were forced to migrate because of famine. Jacob (Genesis 27, 31, and 47) was forced to flee because of a threat on his life, financial exploitation and famine. Esau (Genesis 36) is another refugee mentioned in Scripture. Joseph (Genesis 37) was a victim of international human trafficking. Then, of course, there is the tender story of Naomi and Ruth who were forced to migrate because of famine. Oh, my, the list could go on forever, it seems. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the prophet Elijah are a few more.
In face of this redemptive history, however, the Jews still harbored an inbreed prejudice against the foreigners in their midst.
In face of this redemptive history, however, the Jews still harbored an inbreed prejudice against the foreigners in their midst.
Is it any wonder then that the Jews were reminded to be kind to refugees? As far back as Leviticus God said:
"The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God." (Leviticus 19:34 NIV)
Further, we read in Jeremiah:
"Thus says the Lord: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place." (Jeremiah 22:3 NIV)
Even Jesus, identified himself with the stranger, and the needy:
"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." (Matthew 25:35 NIV)
So, friends the bottom-line is that we have no choice. We must open ourselves up to once again be a sanctuary for the disenfranchised, downtrodden, and, yes, the refugee.
That is not to say, however, that we should be naïve or foolish and allow this international crisis to become a Trojan horse that secretly hides the enemy inside. Vetting is absolutely necessary. But it may surprise some that this is already being done. Not just any Ahmad, Mohammad, or Ali can qualify. As a matter of fact under current police none of the thousands of refugees flooding Europe now qualify. And, it may interest you to know that less than .01 % of the current refugees currently residing in the Middle East right now are accepted to go immigrate anywhere.
As I said, we must be honest, and we must have the facts.
Rumor and scare tactics are rampant, however. For example, it is reported that over 2,000 Syrian refugees are currently being processed through our immigration facilities in Louisiana, and the impression is left that these are hot off the boats that fled from Syrian to Europe. Not true. These are men, women, and children that have been languishing in refugee camps in the Middle East for years. Now, granted there are a few exceptions, primarily those who qualify as political refugees and the seriously ill. In a word, these poor indigents deserve our prayers, not out wrath.
Now, I realize that information like this doesn’t win elections, but we must accept the facts; and tell the truth while we are at it. And, not I am not a Clinton-ite, or a Trump-ite, or anything in-between; nor am I suggesting that we throw caution to the wind. However, to suggest that these refugee camps are invested with a bunch of jihadists just waiting (on average 5 years) just to enter our country so that they can blow it up is simply not the truth.
Last evening Bonnie and I returned from Minneapolis after spending Thanksgiving with family there, and at the airport we got on the wrong shuttle to take us to our car; however, the driver very enthusiastically said I will take you to the nearest pickup point to catch the right shuttle. When we got off the shuttle to get on the right one, I thanked him in Arabic. His eyes lit up and then he expressed his delight that someone spoke Arabic to him, and in the process said he was from Egypt and was extremely thankful to be in America. Another Egyptian overheard the conversation and immediately joined in thankful to be in America, too. So, my question is shall we refuse these persecuted Christians simply because they happen to be brown and speak Arabic? I think not. I know, I know, we have had problems with the Somalians in Minneapolis that had radicalized and joined the jihadists; however. it should be noted that they were never really vetted. They were simple rescued from a war zone and plunked down in America.
Now, you ask, what about those homegrown terrorists that appear to be totally integrated into American society but are later radicalized and turn on us, as we have just witness in the incident in San Bernardino? Unfortunately, the spouse (wife) in this case had not been properly vetted. Obviously, tightening up the vetting process is an absolute necessity; however, we must find a way to allow Christian love and compassion reign. As much as I hate to say it, however, we must begin to profile these individuals and place them under closer scrutiny. Whether or not this will take an act of Congress I do not know. All I know is that something must be done to stop gun violence. Suspending the Second Amendment is not the answer, but background checks are an absolute necessity. England has very strict gun laws and freedom to go along with that. So, a democracy can fully operate with such laws and not be a totalitarian state. Surely there is a happy medium here somewhere!
So, the point is, we as Christians are to be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves and in the process always err on the side of love.
As ever, I am thankfully yours,
JimR__/
P.S. Make sure you double click onto the cartoon to reach the video link to get the real facts.
Last evening Bonnie and I returned from Minneapolis after spending Thanksgiving with family there, and at the airport we got on the wrong shuttle to take us to our car; however, the driver very enthusiastically said I will take you to the nearest pickup point to catch the right shuttle. When we got off the shuttle to get on the right one, I thanked him in Arabic. His eyes lit up and then he expressed his delight that someone spoke Arabic to him, and in the process said he was from Egypt and was extremely thankful to be in America. Another Egyptian overheard the conversation and immediately joined in thankful to be in America, too. So, my question is shall we refuse these persecuted Christians simply because they happen to be brown and speak Arabic? I think not. I know, I know, we have had problems with the Somalians in Minneapolis that had radicalized and joined the jihadists; however. it should be noted that they were never really vetted. They were simple rescued from a war zone and plunked down in America.
Now, you ask, what about those homegrown terrorists that appear to be totally integrated into American society but are later radicalized and turn on us, as we have just witness in the incident in San Bernardino? Unfortunately, the spouse (wife) in this case had not been properly vetted. Obviously, tightening up the vetting process is an absolute necessity; however, we must find a way to allow Christian love and compassion reign. As much as I hate to say it, however, we must begin to profile these individuals and place them under closer scrutiny. Whether or not this will take an act of Congress I do not know. All I know is that something must be done to stop gun violence. Suspending the Second Amendment is not the answer, but background checks are an absolute necessity. England has very strict gun laws and freedom to go along with that. So, a democracy can fully operate with such laws and not be a totalitarian state. Surely there is a happy medium here somewhere!
So, the point is, we as Christians are to be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves and in the process always err on the side of love.
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