THE STRANGER IN YOUR GATES

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More often, how do we treat people we do not know? Do we speculate people we do not know to be bad always? Do we judge them just from their appearance? Do we love them less, show less care and treat them unfairly? Scriptures admonish us to love our neighbors as ourselves and do unto others what we expect them to do unto us.

There are times we feel less loved by people around us because we feel we are not in the same social category or because we are less privileged. Other times, we treat others unfairly because we feel they don’t deserve such opportunities. We are told to love others, even strangers, as Christ had loved us.

True love is not just an emotion but a living principle shown by action. Jesus summed up the whole commandment into one love (a love for God and man; Mark 12:28, 30, 31). When Jesus answered the scribe, He went beyond what was asked. He spoke of the need to love man and supremely love Him. The immeasurable love of God was revealed in redemption to the Israelites. God did not cast them out for their sins in Horeb. He still wanted to renew His covenant with them even though they broke God’s law. God wanted their hearts, minds, love and affections (Deut. 10:14-16).

The same expression of love to us today was through Christ when God gave His only begotten son to die for our sins.
If God loved us this much and still do, we’re to worship and obey Him by loving men, even strangers and care for them. Let’s recall how the Israelites became strangers in the land of Egypt and how God saved them. God told them to replicate His love for them to others.
There’s no partiality in God. He’s a just Judge who cares for the weak, poor, and the outcast. He’s not a human judge based on country, color, or culture. He’s the same (good) in every era. He bids us to do same (be just and fair) in our dealings with others.

God loves all the same

Scriptures describe “Pure religion” before God as being kind to all people no matter their race or status. God bid the Israelites to show some dignity and respect to their debtors. They were to treat the poor and downtrodden in society with compassion and sympathy. They were not to sin by oppressing other people.

In our time, who are the strangers in our gates? Strangers in our gates could be the poor, fatherless, widows, weak and downtrodden in our societies. The Lord is telling us that, we may be chosen, we may be special, and He may love us, but He loves others too, including all these people among us. And just as He loves them, we must love and care for them as well because if we strictly adhere to our religious ritual and mistreat these people then it’s nothing.

Let's be kind no matter what

Let’s take note that God keep records of all the injustices in the world and will one day judge the world so let’s beware and do what is right.
Thanks for reading and May God be with us all 🌹✌🏽🙏🏾

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