Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. (Rom. 12:9b, 10)
Deborah and
I recently returned from ministering in Uganda and Tanzania. En route home we
learned of the Islamic Jihadist attack in Paris that devastated the lives of
many in that country. It was sad, yet predictable, given the open border policies
of European countries. Virtually every member of the EU embraces a very liberal
immigration and refugee policy that has resulted in Islamic intrusion at an
astounding rate. There is little integration into European society and culture,
but great expansion of local Islamic social structure and values.
The USA is
opening to more Syrian refugees. Certainly some of these are legitimate
refugees of the ISIS-Sunni-Assad conflict in Syria. However, a vast number are young men simply taking advantage of the
conflict to enter Europe and America via the Syrian refugee issue.
According to
State Department records the USA has admitted 2098 Muslims and 53 Christians
via refugee status since 2011. While the CIA World Fact Book indicates about 10
percent of Syria is Christian, only 2.4% of the refugees entering the USA are
Christian. Yet we know from news reports
that a disproportionate price is being paid by Christians in Syria and Iraq.
Christians, known as ‘People of the Book’, are the primary target of ISIS and
other Islamic persecution in the Middle East.
When Christians try to enter UN refugee camps in parts of the Middle
East, they are heavily persecuted and most leave the camps. The UN camps are
the primary mechanism for gaining refugee status throughout Europe and America.
What does this have to do with the
Gospel? Everything! Christians in Syria are our family
members; brothers and sisters in Christ. We must hate the evil
perpetrated on them. Our first responsibility is to them!
Paul wrote to the believers in Rome saying ‘be devoted to one another in brotherly
love’. As believers, our first level of devotion here on earth is to
our brothers and sisters. Yet evangelical organizations are failing to publicly
address this issue with policy makers in Washington DC. Many would perceive it as ‘discriminatory’. Our
president insists that America does not have a religious test for refugees, yet
the statistics indicate otherwise…and it is not a test in favor of Christians.
The most persecuted, maligned and harmed people group in the Middle East is the
Christian minority. They must be moved to the front of the line and asylum
policies adjusted accordingly. As the
church in America we are called to advocate for this compassionate position.
