Can you tell us what the Bible would say about how, as Christians, we should treat the refugee crisis? I do feel for and want to help those in need but at the same time I do fear for my family and myself and I don’t want to bring people to our country who want to kill us and openly admit it.
I can relate to your concern, for there could indeed be serious consequences if members of ISIS or some other terrorist group are allowed to enter our county. I believe we have little or no direct control over this situation, for the decision to allow refugees into our country is in the hands of the United States government. But there is something we can do; WE CAN PRAY!
1) We can PRAY FOR OUR GOVERNMENT. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 says, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” We have the privilege (and responsibility) to pray for our leaders, that they would look to God to give them wisdom in ruling our nation so that we can indeed “lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” We have been blessed in this area thus far and we should give thanks for that and continue to pray that we’ll enjoy the freedom to practice our beliefs without persecution and oppression. If our government does decide to take in refugees, we need to pray for the “screening process” to be efficient so that they will be able to expose a terrorist and prevent them from entering our country.
2) We can PRAY FOR OUR ENEMIES. Matthew 5:44 reads, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” If our enemies are allowed to migrate to this country and begin a campaign of hatred and persecution against us, we are told in this verse how to react. By the grace of God we are to “love them.” How do we show, in a practical way, our love for them? We are to “bless them,” “do good to them,” and “pray for them.” This would not be our “natural reaction,” for our “old nature” would react by “cursing them,” “doing evil to them,” and “refusing to pray for them.” But we have a “new nature,” which enables us to show them the same love that Christ did when He came to save sinners. Let us never forget that on the cross He prayed, in Luke 23:34, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” He was praying for His enemies to be forgiven, and even though this speaks primarily of those who were having Him crucified, it would also include all men, for all were born in sin and are enemies of God until they experience God’s wonderful salvation. Let us never forget that we used to hate Him but we have been saved by His grace and now we can be used to show others the love of God and possibly lead them to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
3) We can PRAY FOR OURSELVES. Philippians 4:6-7 states, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (NKJV). We do not know how this refugee crisis will unfold, but no matter what happens we can experience “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding.” But we can only experience this indescribable peace if WE PRAY. We are told in Hebrews 4:16 to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” I would encourage you, and all my brothers and sisters in Christ, to get into God’s presence and avail yourself of His grace. If you do, He will remove any fear or anxiety you have and replace it with His peace. You had asked how we, as Christians, “should treat the refuge crisis” and PRAYER is the greatest resource we have. (174.2) (DO)