A Testimony of Love–Part 5
February 12, 2023 § 1 Comment
Here’s what a testimony of love might look like:
A testimony of love on immigration reform
Dear US Representative [X]:
I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a foreigner and you welcomed me; I was naked and you gave me clothing; I was sick and you took care of me; I was in prison and you visited me. . . And when was it that [we did these things]? . . . Truly I tell you, just as you did it to the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.
Matthew 25:35–40
We, the members of [meeting] implore you as a member of the United States Congress who profess to be a Christian, in that Spirit of Love and Truth, to craft and pass comprehensive legislation that expresses the love commanded by your Lord for the people seeking entrance to our country.
We recognize that you have a duty to protect our people from those who would bring violence and criminality to our contry; for these people, laws already exit. But the “strangers” called out in Matthew 25:35 are another matter, and in your hearts, you know this.
We are horrified by the inhumane things you’ve done and seem to want to do to these people. It’s heartbreaking. It makes us think and even say the very kinds of hateful things that you say about the people you think are your enemies in this issue. We’re sorry about that. The path of love is hard to follow, sometimes.
And your actions make us question your faith. Do you merely profess to follow Jesus, but truly follow another master? Mammon? The Father of Lies? And we don’t mean Mr. Trump, who is merely the prince of lies.
Let’s get specific: Do you follow Jesus when he says: “This is my commandment, that you love one another”? (John 15:12) When he says: “Love your enemies”? (Matthew 5:44) When he says, “Let the little children come unto me”? (Matthew19:14) And when Jesus identifies explicitly with the very people—the “strangers”—whom you target with your policies?
We ask: How does tearing children from their parents and putting them in cages express the love your master has commanded from you (and us, yes)? How does persecuting those legitimately seeking asylum follow from the commandment of love? How do you love the people to whom you lie when you ship them off to the cities of those you deem your enemies? Do your policies and your actions arise from divine love? Do they express love in their intent and in the manner of their execution?
Where is the love in your heart? Do you have ears to hear? And are you a child of the Light, that Light which has come to enlighten the world? Or are you actually obeying some other master than the Prince of Peace and Love, after all?
Through the Flaming Sword 
[…] Read part 5 here. […]