This article is the fourth in the series “A Christian Response To Illegal Immigration.” This article series explores a Christian response to a modern social concern - foreign nationals that have illegally immigrated to the United States.
Second, we are taught to love one another, prefer one another, and finally to do good to others as we would have them do to us.
Consider the following sampling of “one another” passages collected from the New Testament.
“So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” (John 13.14 NRSV)
“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13.34-35 NRSV)
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15.12 NRSV)
“I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.” (John 15.17)
“Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.” (Romans 12.16 NRSV)
“Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13.8 NRSV)
“Let us therefore no longer pass judgment on one another, but resolve instead never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of another.” (Romans 14.13 NRSV)
“May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus” (Romans 15.5 NRSV)
“Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” (Romans 15.7)
“Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” (2 Corinthians 13.11 NRSV)
“For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another.” (Galatians 5.13)
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5.1-2 NRSV)
“Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5.21 NRSV)
Now, that’s a lot to consider and process. However, each passage repeats the same theme. Jesus calls his followers to:
- Love one another
- Associate with the lowly
- Live in harmony with one another
- Never put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of another
- Become slaves to one another
- Be subject to one another
Note that these commands are never based on the nationality or ethnicity of “others.” Where they come from does not matter - they are still our neighbors.
Our calling is never to justify ourselves and our own comfort. Our calling is to love and serve one another as we love and serve our Lord and King. Remember, all of the law and the prophets hang on these commandments.
“When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”” (Matthew 22.34-40 NRSV)
The next article will be the final installment in this series. I will publish a feature-length article over the weekend with the full text of all five articles.
{ 3 } Comments
All scriptures indeed, has nothing to do with being invaded, By Mexico. “The Alien among you will increase and you will decrease”. Judgement from God is upon the USA, who can stop it, Gods’ people who pray. Abraham asked God if he would spare Sodom and Gomorah, if only one righteous man was found. God said he would spare them if only one righteous man was found, there is more than one rightous person in the USA. God will save the USA from this invasion for his elect sake if for no other reason. This is very seroius indeed. “Lawlessness is Sin”
Or could be, were heading into the last days where nothing can be done, In the last days perilous times will come, greed will become rampant, etc. the love of many will be cooled. The USA is on the verge of being destroyed or changed as we knew it. Not sure how this is going to pan out.
Washington can’t solve it, There a House divided. ” A house divided can’t stand”. Gods elect who are not double minded and not playing games are the only hope, I see so called christian churches pandering to the illegals, this does not make sense to me.
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