(05-14-2023, 03:40 PM)K9Buck Wrote: I know that's not what most people or even most Christians want to hear but, it's true.

"When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not wrong him. The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as one of your citizens; you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt" (Lev. 19:33-34).

Exodus 22:21 ESV
"You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.

Numbers 15:15-16 ESV
For the assembly, there shall be one statute for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you, a statute forever throughout your generations. You and the sojourner shall be alike before the Lord. One law and one rule shall be for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you."

Of course, many or even most people, including Christians, will not do God's will on this matter and reject immigrants. Jesus told us that he will condemn people to the Lake of Fire for doing exactly this. This is what Jesus will say to some right before casting them into the abyss. From Matthew 25:43 "... I was a stranger and you did not welcome me..."

John 6:38 esv
38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.

And then there is Matthew 7:21 esv:
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

With all that said, we know that even Heaven has entry requirements. I think God would agree with NOT permitting a Muslim (for example) that believes in following Sharia Law rather than the laws of the U.S. and who would support throwing gay people off of rooftops. Yes, I believe there are legitimate exceptions. But, for the most part, we're commanded to WELCOME STRANGERS into our nation.

I didn't always believe this way but as I've become closer to God I have learned that what I want oftentimes does not match with what God wants from me.

(05-14-2023, 05:43 PM)Sanitarian2 Wrote: It's alright, we all get to heaven.

(05-15-2023, 08:44 AM)Alabuckeye Wrote: This is a command to us personally. A government/country has the ability to set up laws and uphold them. Two different levels.

But we as Christians need to see the person beside us as made in the image of God, and treat him as we would desire to be treated. Had a recent opportunity to do this.

Last Sunday we are standing around talking outside and a man walks up and starts speaking in Spanish to me and the guy I was talking to. Drunk as a skunk. Central American if I had to guess. Very little English. We figure out after about 10 minutes that he wants a ride downtown, a couple miles away. We didn’t say “get away from us you illegal”….we gave him a ride. And he was very appreciative. Called me his amigo.

Yet I support sane immigration policy. But the guy next to me has value because God created him as He did me.

(05-15-2023, 08:44 AM)Alabuckeye Wrote: This is a command to us personally. A government/country has the ability to set up laws and uphold them. Two different levels.

But we as Christians need to see the person beside us as made in the image of God, and treat him as we would desire to be treated. Had a recent opportunity to do this.

Last Sunday we are standing around talking outside and a man walks up and starts speaking in Spanish to me and the guy I was talking to. Drunk as a skunk. Central American if I had to guess. Very little English. We figure out after about 10 minutes that he wants a ride downtown, a couple miles away. We didn’t say “get away from us you illegal”….we gave him a ride. And he was very appreciative. Called me his amigo.

Yet I support sane immigration policy. But the guy next to me has value because God created him as He did me.

(05-15-2023, 05:13 PM)Sanitarian2 Wrote:

(05-15-2023, 08:44 AM)Alabuckeye Wrote: This is a command to us personally. A government/country has the ability to set up laws and uphold them. Two different levels.

But we as Christians need to see the person beside us as made in the image of God, and treat him as we would desire to be treated. Had a recent opportunity to do this.

Last Sunday we are standing around talking outside and a man walks up and starts speaking in Spanish to me and the guy I was talking to. Drunk as a skunk. Central American if I had to guess. Very little English. We figure out after about 10 minutes that he wants a ride downtown, a couple miles away. We didn’t say “get away from us you illegal”….we gave him a ride. And he was very appreciative. Called me his amigo.

Yet I support sane immigration policy. But the guy next to me has value because God created him as He did me.

If he died while drinking at a bar downtown, you could be charged.