How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things.
(Romans 10:14-15 KJV)
My family and I were in Fargo ND. the other day. We hadn't been there in quite some time, and were quite surprised to see the large number of Muslim immigrants shopping along side of us. We were not aware that so many had settled in this area. We have also heard that there are other communities nearby that have a large Muslim presence in them also.
I am aware that a large segment of American citizens are opposed to this. They voice concerns for safety, concerns about jobs and welfare. There is a general fear of terrorist activity related to the influx of these immigrants, and as a result, people are demanding that we close our borders. Sadly, a great number of professed evangelical Christians seem to be loudly at the forefront of these demands. They, like all the others, are concerned about terrorism, jobs, giving "handouts" to undeserving refugees, and the like.
I would like to look at this from a totally different standpoint. As Christians, this life is not supposed to be about us. Our lives as Christians are not supposed to revolve around our material prosperity, or maintaining our physical safety either. A safe and secure country with carefully guarded borders is not what Jesus has in mind for those who would truly follow Him. As Christians we have been given the awesome task of going into all the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ (Matt 28:18-20; Mark 16:15). We serve Jesus Christ as citizens of His heavenly kingdom. The business of His kingdom is to be the all consuming business of our lives (Matt 6:33). How can we claim to be His followers, intent upon advancing His kingdom, while we cry out at the same time to close our borders, desiring to keep these "dangerous" people out? Things like this were never upon the minds of the early Church as they fearlessly advanced the gospel, even at the cost of their very lives. The desire to glorify God by bringing souls into His kingdom burned within their hearts. They were compelled to go.
There are many who have not yet obeyed the command of Jesus to go. For those of us who have not yet gone, perhaps Jesus is bringing the mission field home to us.....?
