speak life, inspire dignity, do good

The message is simple, it’s a biblical command and reflects the heart of God; the answer is unequivocally Y E S but here’s my why.

Across the scriptures, God in the Old Testament reminded his people of the many times they were foreigners and strangers in other lands. The reasons of their situation varied and at many times a teaching “moment” and consequence but that never negated the demand for justice and proper treatment.

“Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt.” ¹

He reiterates this in the Levitical law, which in today’s world fits the religious call as the church and pastors,

“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.” ²

Unfortunately, this call to protect and serve has been lost in translation, over-looked or disregarded and the idol of nationalism, pride of citizenship has molded our minds and hearts to treat others distinctly different than the command in the scriptures. Paul tells us to “extend hospitality to strangers”³ and we scream “follow the rule of law” not “come over for dinner.” It is no wonder that Jesus spoke to the woman at the well ⁴ in great depth and length and told the parable of the Good Samaritan ⁵. A great concern with the church is the misunderstanding of history and lack of biblical literacy. We desire to learn from commentaries, books, academia, celebrities and great orators (good and sometimes useful tools) but don’t neglect personal reading of the scriptures, not personal interpretation, hence where commentaries and the other tools come in but the 66 books written by The Holy Spirit comes first and the tools help with unpacking, to often those things are reversed! This diminishes the prodding, spurring and correcting hand of The Spirit and truly quenches His voice in our lives.

Now, there are rules and laws to follow, that’s a given for our God is a God of order.

While we ourselves live as citizens of nations on Earth we are to make sure that we stand in the gap and use our power and position to uphold biblical justice on behalf of others, it is our high calling as children of God and Saints of Zion to speak on behalf of the voiceless, echo the voices of those that are muted, amplify the cries of those crying out in mercy.

We are all image bearers of the image of God and in doing our due diligence we step into the ministry of reconciliation with empathy and kindness, truth and grace, boasting in the name of our King Jesus that as ambassadors of the Christ we are here on behalf of the outcast- advocacy! Mirroring the advocacy of the Spirit, glorifying the Father as we care for children and future adopted children while on this side of eternity.

So, aside from the direct commands from our God because God speaks Truth with Grace, it is our responsibility and purpose as Gospel proclaimers to speak and live the whole Gospel. Then those you impart your life to and those who look on can give glory to your heavenly Father by the way we “love one another”

References

1.    Ex 22:21

2.    Lev 19:24

3.    Rms 12:13

4.    John 4

5. Luke 10:29-37