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The forming of an immigration policy for our great country is causing speculations to abound with mind boggling speed. The arguments on both sides of the issue are inundated with limited facts and knowledge. The media adds to the confusion by presenting interpretive analyses. When one sees the vast number of the oppressed, who are seeking to escape the reality of war and poverty, we cannot turn our head in indifference. Yet, at the same time, we cannot be ignorant to the potential threat from those who are determined to maim and destroy our socio/economic and political system. This issue should not be a political divide, but a unified quest to find the answer for the displaced multitudes seeking a meaningful existence, while at the same time, creating a way to weed out those seeking harm to our Country.
There is also another immigration issue that has been largely ignored, and that is the “open door policy” of the Church. Participation and eventual membership in the diversified Church has been an easy road to travel. To those seeking deliverance from the sin filled world, the Church offers itself as a “sanctuary city” where people can be secure from the “deportation” policy of Satan’s kingdom. It is through Jesus Christ, by the Cross and His Resurrection, that man can be a part of the Kingdom of God. What a wonderful message for the world to hear! The Church must recognize their pilgrimage and be ready and willing to offer them the peace that passes all understanding. BUT, the Church must also be aware of those who seek affiliation with no intent for peace, but aim to disrupt and divide the Church. The infiltration of the Body of Christ by the “enemies of the Cross” (Philippians 3:18) is so wide spread, that the effectiveness of the Church is brought into question. Many of these “illegals” begin as attendees and slowly climb the ladder of service to positions of trust. Sunday school teachers, Board members, and even Pastoral positions lay exposed to the ungodly. Soon “strange fire” (Leviticus 10:1) and doctrines are introduced to the faithful hearers. Jude, in his epistle, warned about ungodly people who crept into the Church unnoticed. (Jude 1:4) As one searches the Scriptures, one will become readily aware of how many verses warn of the “illegal aliens” invading the Church. (II Corinthians 11: 13-15 e.g.) Gossiping, backbiting, murmuring, grumbling, complaining, will seep into the very fiber of the Church. Bitterness, unforgiveness, pride, lust, arrogance, and the works of the flesh will become an evidence of a church that has lost its direction. Schisms and divisions will lead to yet greater cracks in the Church’s foundation.
People hate to hear the negative, but for the Church to ignore the assault against the very core of our beliefs is to guarantee an ineffectiveness in carrying out God’s calling. While the Church basks on selective truths, Satan sends his soldiers to dilute the Truth through deception. Jude stressed the importance of seriously contending for the faith. (Jude 1:3) For the enemy to succeed, all the Church needs to do is to ignore the Biblical warnings and continue the way it is going.
So what should we do? Should there be a vetting system? Should there be qualifications for not only membership but for attending the local church as well? Should there be references solicited for the potential attendee? How far should the Church go to ensure its security? The Gifts of the Holy Spirit were given to help the Believer be effective in his mission. One of the Gifts is the Discerning of spirits. (I Corinthians 12:10) This gift is essential to recognizing and identifying threats to the Church. We must never confuse this Gift with judging. This is a supernatural discerning of the spiritual world. When this Gift is in operation, it will be very difficult for an armed aggressor to enter into an active role in the Church. Those with spiritual authority will be able to recognize “illegals” and, if their actions are a threat to the church, the leaders should take the necessary action to remove them from the fellowship. They are welcome to be an attendee, but never to hold a position of trust, at least not until they have had a life changing experience with Jesus Christ. Sadly, so many churches do not believe in the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and as a result continue to have “open boarders.” The Church must not be naïve to the challenges that face its existence. We must shore up our boarders or expect a greater erosion of Truth.
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