Immigration and the American Dream

           As you know by now President Trump, which sounds odd to type, has enacted an Immigration Ban. While not the first President to do so in the past decade, his is a lightening rod for controversy and hate. I bet I have seen a hundred post for and against the policy. I was asked recently what my thoughts are on it. To be honest with you, they are very different than most would think.
So let me preface my opinion with this statement. The American Dream is a hoax. If you are a Christian, the American Dream runs counter to the teachings of the Bible. The Great Commission is the dream a Christian should have. Acts 1:8" But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”  Pastor Jeremy Roden said yesterday " Christians will travel thousands of mile to witness to the lost all over the world but will not walk ten yards to their lost neighbors to witness to them." Pretty powerful message there. We Christians are willing and able to serve the World but not our neighbors.
        Here lies the issue, President Trump has put a Muslim ban into place but Heaven has a Muslim ban too. Follow me here. John 14:6 tells us this John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."  So a Muslim is not going to Heaven because they do not believe Jesus to be a Deity, or the Son of God. That will exclude over 2 BILLION Muslims from Heaven. If you are a Christian that should fire you up! There are 2 BILLION  Muslims that will miss out on Heaven simply because they don't believe in Jesus. Pretty simple mission for Christians really. We MUST reach them either where they are or here in America.
       How do you as a Christian affect the world? That's a simple question but has a very complicated and maybe embarrassing answer. The number 1 way you affect the World for Jesus Christ is through your daily life. How you live your life as a Christian affects those around you. That's as far as some Christians will ever travel in fulfillment of the Great Commission. You know what? That's as far as we need to go. We do not have to go to some third world country, we can simply cross the street and witness to our neighbors. Jesus told us to love our neighbors. That verse is literal and figurative.
      So on the issue of immigration what should a Christian do and think? I believe we should continue to allow people into this country legally and the way we always have. Legal immigration is a cornerstone of America. What we are being sold is fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of the Muslims, Sharia Law and fear of terror. That's how terrorism works, it is fueled on fear. You know Jesus has an answer for fear too. Matthew 14:27 "But Jesus immediately said to them, “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.” The promise: Jesus gives us courage. Our courage to face fear doesn’t come from inside of ourselves; it is something we have access to because of Jesus’ presence in our lives. John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." The promise: Jesus gives us His peace. As a result, we do not have to rely on our circumstances aligning just right before we are free from fear. Even in the most difficult of situations, Jesus promises to give us an otherworldly peace that allows us to stand strong no matter the trial. So do not be sold on the fear of the unknown. This is an opportunity to have the lost refugees fleeing the Muslim world to be witnessed to. Welcome them like Jesus Christ welcomed you, with Love. God came to us, not the other way around.