Refugees-Part 2: It's time for "Show and Tell"

Throughout human history, God has been working out His plan of redemption through his people. In the Old Testament, He called out a people to Himself in order to make his name known among the nations. In the New Testament age, Christ's death and resurrection made the way for Gentiles to be "grafted into" God's people. Now the Church (followers of Christ) has the primary responsibility to bring redemption to "show and tell". The evangelical church has historically been quite good at "tell" but sometimes I am not sure we have been the greatest at "show".

Isaiah 58:5-7 not only shows God's heart for the poor and oppressed but shows that religion by itself does not please God. A true redemptive faith in Jesus Christ will evidence itself in action. Matthew 25:31-46 and James 2:14-46 show that our faith will be evidenced by works (acts of love) that affect others. These verses all use examples of helping those who have less than us or those who are suffering and helpless.

The Old Testament especially talks about a particular "trio" of people who need special care from the people of God. Deuteronomy 10:17-19 is one of many sections that specifically points out the needs of the special trio of the orphan, the widow, and the alien.

Why did God give such emphasis on these three groups of people?

These were "severely at risk" groups. Each one of them had lost their provider, their advocate, and their protection. They had no voice and no way to provide for themselves. This made them especially alone and at risk for being taken advantaged of. So who are the "at risk" groups around you who have a need for the church to speak up and take care of them?

There are so many groups but in my next few entries, I will highlight the group of 42 million people around the world who have been forcibly displaced from their homes. The refugee is the modern equivalent of the person who has lost their protection, their provision, and their advocate.