What would Jesus do about the Syrian refugee invasion currently rocking Europe and the U.S.?
And what should we as Christians do?
Is this a clear-cut Good Samaritan case where we are duty-bound as followers of Jesus the Messiah to give aid, food, clothing, and shelter to our fellow man, suffering as he is?
When it comes to the Christian refugees from Syria and the Middle East, the answer for me is easy and straightforward: Help them! Save them from slaughter and persecution at the hands of ISIS and all the other Islamists over there.
Consider words the Apostle Paul wrote in his epistle to the church in Galatia,
“…As we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
But what is our responsibility when what at first appears to be a refugee crisis begins to turn into an outright invasion by Muslims of Europe and America, what were at least marginally or formerly Christian regions?
Take a look at one of today’s headline news stories:
STATE OF EMERGENCY: POLICE FIRE TEAR GAS AT RIOTING MIGRANTS CHANTING “ALLAH HU AKBAR” TRYING TO BREAK THROUGH HUNGARIAN BORDER.
I can’t help wondering whether our response should be more cautious.
We have competing responsibilities to choose between here.
On the one hand, it seems obvious Jesus would direct us to care for Muslim refugees, an unknown number of which are Islamists, jihadists, and terrorists. Perhaps we should help them even though there are undoubtedly bad actors lurking in the midst.
The words of Jesus come to mind.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.“
It is also written,
“If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,
and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
for you will heap burning coals on his head,
and the Lord will reward you.”
– Proverbs 25:21-22
On the other hand, don’t we also have a responsibility, especially as husbands and fathers, to safeguard our own families and communities?
Christ also said:
“When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe…”
Compassionate as I want to be, you’ll understand my deep concern as a husband and father at the thought of bringing in tens and hundreds of thousands of Muslims who might forcibly, violently try to take our nation, our goods, or even our lives.