If you claim to follow Jesus and claim him as your Lord and Savior, then you DO NOT get to utter hatred and claim indifference to those who suffer. EVER. (For another take read this blog.)
Jesus is pretty clear about how we are to treat our neighbor. Never did he utter anything that can be understood to include exclusion. In fact this is what Jesus says:
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you ... (Mat 5:43-44)
There is no ambiguity. There is no 'buts,' 'ifs' or 'what ifs' in what he teaches. If you call yourself a follower of this man, this Son of God, then you do not get to justify your unwillingness to reach out to the least of these and call your self a Christian. Whether they are Muslim, Jewish or atheist it does not matter.
And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' (Mat 25:40)
Ryan Dueck writes "We do not get to speak and act as if fear is a more pragmatic and useful response than love." As Christians we do not fear for we have the love of God and the promise that sin, death and the devil will not have the final say.
Dear people of God, trust in the Lord and live your life with the full knowledge and joy that all will be made right in Jesus Name. In the meantime we are called to love and protect all of God's children out of the grace and forgiveness first given to us.
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psa 27:1)
