What did Jesus mean when he said, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27)? Too many evangelicals in the USA are acting like self-justifying Pharisees who answered Jesus with a question that reveals a glaring lack of compassion: “Who is our neighbor?” (Luke 10:29). This kind of self-justification demonstrates a heart closed towards God and humanity. Recent Pew research signifies that “white evangelical Protestants say the U.S. does not have a responsibility to accept refugees.” Really?
Regrettably, I’ve seen this attitude posted on my social media feeds. Recently, a pastor posted that “there is nothing in the Bible that speaks to current immigration issues in the USA.” Really?
I understand the difficulties, and the prejudices. Yes, prejudices. Too many white evangelical Christians are afraid of non-white and non-English speaking people. I would remind them that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7). But there are also political, economic, and cultural realities that make the issue of immigration difficult. Even so, Christians are compelled to resist fear through the power of the Holy Spirit and embrace difficult issues with the inspired wisdom of Holy Scripture. This means allowing the Spirit and the Word to challenge our fears and prejudices.
So, what did Jesus mean when he challenges us to love our neighbors? He explains it through the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:30ff). Loving our neighbors means helping strangers in distress by providing a safe place and short-term financial support.
The preacher of Hebrews encourages us to “Let love of the brethren continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it” (13:2-3). Hospitality means opening our hearts and homes and homeland to strangers. Hospitality gives us an opportunity to treat strangers like angels.
John reminds us that God’s love is to be demonstrated through gracious deeds: “But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth” (1 John 3:17-18). This kind of love expresses Christ’s love to the world (1 John 3:16).
An ancient Christian bishop, St. Ambrose, encouraged strong walls with open gates. He declared, “For that which holds society together is divided into two parts—justice and good-will. . . ” He said that those who “would forbid the city to strangers cannot have our approval. They would expel them at the very time when they ought to help. . . Beasts do not drive out beasts, yet man shuts out man. . . and man, who ought to think nothing human foreign to himself, fights against his own” (On the Duties of the Clergy, emphasis mine).
The Holy Spirit often gives words of wisdom, that is, Spirit inspired answers to difficult problems. Evangelical Christians need to be open to the Spirit so we may discern answers that resist fear and prejudice, and provide national security while demonstrating national compassion and grace. This is not a Republican or Democrat issue – it’s a Christian priority.
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