EVEN GOD'S KINGDOM HAS A VETTING PROCESS

Jesus was most loving to aliens, refuges, outcasts, and the displaced. He and his family were refugees in Egypt for awhile. He lifted up the poor and marginalized. He did this while still on this earth and expects his followers to follow his example. Don't use the Christian faith as an excuse for bigotry.

 I have a good friend who wrote these words to me in the comment section of this meme that I posted. It was done half in jest but the meme makes a valid point. In all fairness the friend who wrote this comment to me is a much better Christian than I am and probably has a greater chance of seeing the kingdom of heaven than I do. I am not being sarcastic when I say this because I am deadly serious. Of course her last comment about bigotry is a totally baseless charge and not deserving of serious discussion. This heathen boy, however; knows a little bit about the Bible. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble, James 2:19. A pet peeve of mine is that too many people portray Jesus as a one dimensional God. He was actually three dimensional. I don't mean to sound like I am putting limits on God but Jesus has a threefold ministry as was taught to the Jews in the layout of the temple. He is our sacrifice, our mediator, and our judge. 

 Most people seem to want to dwell on the sacrificial ministry of Jesus. Being kind to aliens, refugees, outcasts, the displaced, the poor and marginalized. However this and other righteous behavior is part of the vetting process for entering the kingdom of heaven on an individual basis and not the role of a sovereign nation protecting the welfare of it's citizens. Jesus constantly reminded us that his kingdom was not of this earth, John 18:36. He never spoke out about earthly government, laws or social issues. Matter of fact he told us to give unto Caesar that which is Caesars and to God that which is God's. Matthew 22: 20-22. The kingdom of heaven is a real place and a real government, John 14: 2-4. It is a kingdom superior to all others and perfect. The heavenly city has walls and the exact dimensions are given, Revelation 21:17. It has gates, Revelation 21:12. The exact dimensions of the city are given, Revelation 21:15. We are given a vision of what the city will look like and how life will be on the new earth. 

 People will live in houses, Deuteronomy 6:11 and we will work. As much as God wants everyone to be saved not everyone will make it into his kingdom, Ezekial 18:23, Revelation 21:7-8. After the Great White Throne judgement the heavenly city will be the capital of the new earth, Isaiah 65:17. Revelation 21:1. Salvation is a gift for the taking, Ephesians 2:8. It does not mean, however; you can live like hell and expect to get to heaven, James 2: 14-26. Matthew 7:13 tells us that many more will go to hell than heaven. Jesus will return not as a sacrificial lamb but a conquering king, Revelation 19:11. Conclusion: Jesus has a vetting process that protects the citizens of his kingdom from the ravages of sin. This is the ultimate expression of his love. What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time. Nahum 1:9

 I look at America as a life boat. There is only so much room in the boat. We can bring new people into the boat in an orderly manner or at our peril allow the boat to be swamped and we all go down together. I will fight to the death for legal immigration and assimilation because we are a nation of immigrants. Historically our nation has been powered and energized by the contributions of immigrants, We must live by and honor the rule of law however. The following is from one of my favorite speeches by Lincoln. His Lyceum speech of January 27, 1838. 

 The question recurs, "how shall we fortify against it?" The answer is simple. Let every American, every lover of liberty, every well wisher to his posterity, swear by the blood of the Revolution, never to violate in the least particular, the laws of the country; and never to tolerate their violation by others. As the patriots of seventy-six did to the support of the Declaration of Independence, so to the support of the Constitution and Laws, let every American pledge his life, his property, and his sacred honor;--let every man remember that to violate the law, is to trample on the blood of his father, and to tear the character of his own, and his children's liberty. Let reverence for the laws, be breathed by every American mother, to the lisping babe, that prattles on her lap--let it be taught in schools, in seminaries, and in colleges; let it be written in Primers, spelling books, and in Almanacs;--let it be preached from the pulpit, proclaimed in legislative halls, and enforced in courts of justice. And, in short, let it become the political religion of the nation; and let the old and the young, the rich and the poor, the grave and the gay, of all sexes and tongues, and colors and conditions, sacrifice unceasingly upon its altars.

 "Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant to step the ocean and crush us at a blow? Never! All the armies of Europe, Asia, and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own excepted) in their military chest, with a Bonaparte for a commander, could not by force take a drink from the Ohio or make a track on the Blue Ridge in a trial of a thousand years. At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer. If it ever reach us it must spring up amongst us; it cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide."