Love those who are aliens

The illegal alien issue in America garners much impassioned talk from both sides. Personally, I am in favor of immigration. Our daughter Grace is an immigrant from China. My father's family...two generations ago...all came from Europe to America. I am not in favor of illegal immigration because of the influx of crime coming across our borders, increase in taxpayers' money going to support them, etc. 

Yet, for some time now God has been speaking to my heart about this issue. How does God feel about the alien...illegal or legal? Today, while reading Deuteronomy, I came across this verse in 10:18-19:

"He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens..."

In America today, there is a huge influx of people coming across our borders who know very little about Jesus. Yes, they come from Catholic countries, but in many of those countries, the religion practiced is often mixed with voodoo or other pagan practices. Very few of them, I would guess, have a deep, personal relationship with Christ. 

So, beyond the politics of the situation, what is the Church in America to do? Well, if we follow God's Word to us, we are to "love those who are aliens." Some churches do this. Our "home" church in Fayetteville, NC, Northwood Temple, has a Spanish-speaking service and has had one for many years. More churches need to do this. There are many ways, beyond this, that churches can reach the aliens. 

What about each of us as individuals? Are we to hate them because they are "invading" our country? No. They are men, women and children created in God's image who He has allowed to come to America, maybe, so that they will have the opportunity to hear the message of Jesus in a "Christian" land. The question is up to us? Will we let our opposition to their illegal entry cause us to turn away from them. Or, like the "Good Samaritan," will we pray for them and reach out to them? 

Our pastor at Crosstowne Christian Church, here in Charleston, reached out to one family. It was right around Christmas this past year. He was driving down the road and saw a Hispanic man next to his broken-down car. He was about to pass him by, wondering in his heart whether this guy was a drug-dealer or violent criminal, when his wife cried out, "there are children in the car." He immediately stopped.  They took the family home to a very poor trailer park, and said good-bye. But Pastor Paul sensed that God wanted him to do more. So on Christmas they brought the family gifts and food. The children were so happy and this Hispanic family was not the only ones blessed...Paul and Susan were as well. 

That is the heart of Christianity. Will the world know us for our opposition to things only or...will the world know us for our love?