“The alien residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.” – Leviticus 19:34
God’s Command to Love the Foreigners
When we reflect on God’s heart toward immigrants and refugees, we find that His command is clear: we are to love the foreigner among us. This is deeply woven into our calling as Christians. Just as God commanded the Israelites to treat foreigners well, we, too, are encouraged to show compassion and kindness to those who may be different from us. In our interactions with immigrants and refugees, we should remember that they are not just strangers, but individuals made in the image of God, deserving of love and respect. His commandment does not only apply to those who look like us, but extends to all people, reflecting God’s vast and unconditional love towards humanity.
Leviticus 19:34
“The alien residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.” – Leviticus 19:34
Deuteronomy 10:19
“And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.” – Deuteronomy 10:19
Exodus 22:21
“Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.” – Exodus 22:21
Zechariah 7:10
“Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.” – Zechariah 7:10
Matthew 25:35
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” – Matthew 25:35
Welcoming the Stranger
As Christians, it is our duty to be welcoming and open-hearted. We have the ability to create communities where immigrants and refugees feel safe, valued, and accepted. In doing so, we reflect the love of Christ not only to them but also show our obedience to God’s command to welcome strangers. By extending a helping hand, we challenge the notion of fear associated with “the other,” and instead cultivate relationships grounded in love and understanding. Our welcoming attitudes create a ripple effect that can foster peace and acceptance in our world.
Romans 15:7
“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” – Romans 15:7
Hebrews 13:2
“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” – Hebrews 13:2
Luke 10:33-34
“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine.” – Luke 10:33-34
Isaiah 58:7
“Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?” – Isaiah 58:7
John 13:34
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” – John 13:34
Helping Hands for Refugees
We are called to support and assist refugees who have faced unimaginable challenges in their journeys. The Bible encourages us to be proactive in our love by taking action. Supporting refugees can mean offering resources, sharing our time, or simply being present and listening to their stories. By choosing to lend our hands, we can not only help those in dire need but also bring forth justice and mercy that reflects what Jesus taught us. In doing good for others, especially the less fortunate, we deepen our faith and become a light in the darkness.
Proverbs 31:8-9
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” – Proverbs 31:8-9
James 2:15-16
“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?” – James 2:15-16
Matthew 5:42
“Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” – Matthew 5:42
1 John 3:17
“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?” – 1 John 3:17
2 Corinthians 9:7
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7
Finding Comfort in God
Throughout our lives, it is important to take solace in the fact that God is always with us, especially when we face difficult times like those many immigrants and refugees endure. He promises to be our refuge and strength, providing comfort amid anxiety and turmoil. Our faith allows us to trust in His plan and to understand that His love is expansive enough to embrace all of us, regardless of where we come from. This assurance can help us extend that same comfort to those who are new and vulnerable.
Psalms 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” – Psalms 46:1
Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
Psalms 34:18
“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” – Psalms 34:18
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13
Unity Among Nations
As people of faith, we are called to stand together, regardless of our differences or backgrounds. This unity shows our commitment to loving our neighbors and embraces our shared humanity. We must break down barriers and strive for understanding while fostering environments where refugees and immigrants feel included. Celebrating diversity can strengthen our communities and reflect God’s kingdom on earth. We are stronger together, and by promoting unity, we can fulfill our mandate as Christ-followers.
Ephesians 4:3
“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” – Ephesians 4:3
Galatians 3:28
“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” – Galatians 3:28
Colossians 3:14
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” – Colossians 3:14
Philippians 2:2
“Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” – Philippians 2:2
1 Corinthians 12:12
“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 12:12
Encouraging Compassion and Mercy
We are surrounded by opportunities to show compassion and mercy to immigrants and refugees. Our hearts must break for what breaks God’s heart, leading us to act with tenderness and kindness. The Bible teaches us that mercy triumphs over judgment, and this is an essential principle we should live by. Each act of kindness, no matter how small, can make a significant impact on a person’s life, especially those who struggle. Let us be guided by the principles of mercy that reflect God’s love in everything we do.
Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8
Lamentations 3:22-23
“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23
Titus 3:5
“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” – Titus 3:5
Colossians 3:12
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” – Colossians 3:12
Luke 6:36
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” – Luke 6:36
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on the lessons from Scripture about immigrants and refugees, we see a clear message of love and compassion. We are called to embrace those who may be different from us, showing kindness and understanding. With God’s guidance, we can create welcoming spaces for everyone, reminding ourselves that each person is made in His image. Through our actions, we can support refugees and immigrants, helping them find comfort and hope during challenging times.
Let us strive to uphold unity, reminding one another of the shared humanity that connects us all. Together, we can extend mercy in all that we do, celebrating the beautiful diversity that God has created. In walking this path, we fulfill our purpose as Christians and reflect Christ’s love in action.
I encourage you to contemplate these themes in your lives and communities. Let’s support each other in this mission by exploring more topics like accepting differences and welcoming one another.