This issue has been weighing heavy on my heart.  What is our responsibility toward the Syrian refugees attempting to seek asylum in our country?  Is it our responsibility to open our arms to people we know may have, in their heart, an intent to hurt the people of our country?

This question has been going around and around in my head.  I have come to a decision for myself which may or may not mesh with what you believe and I am eager to hear your thoughts on this issue.

This refugee crisis is unlike any in our nation’s history.  We have given many people a safe place to live but the people who came did not espouse a religion that calls for destroying the infidels (that’s us).  This is what makes this issue so much more difficult.

Proverbs 22:3 says, “The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.”  This refugee issue truly poses within it danger for this country.  The main purpose of our government is protection of its citizenry.  The federal government has taken upon itself many roles it had no right in which to engage, but the protection of our people IS its PRIMARY purpose.

I think we need to make a distinction between what we should do as Christians and what the Government should do.  Christians often place themselves in harms way to help others.  Christian doctors and nurses volunteered during the recent Ebola outbreak in Africa.  Some suffered greatly and others died.  They did this because they believed they were being called to do so.

However, if you and your family worked with your city’s homeless ministry you might decide to take one of the homeless into your home.  However, God would not judge you for determining to use prudence with whom to invite into your home.  If you had small children at home, would it be advisable to bring a convicted pedophile into your home?  Likely not.

We want to be loving and caring.  If you have a brother who becomes extremely violent when he drinks you will love him but you don’t need to accept his invitation to his New Year’s Eve Party.  That would put yourself at risk.  You want to be there for him but you don’t need to risk your own life.

As Christians we need to listen to what God is calling us to do.  If he is calling us to take part in an effort to assist the Syrian Refugees then by all means we MUST do that!  It doesn’t matter whether these people are Christians or Muslims or hold to no religion at all, if God is calling us to their aide, then we must go.

But as for our Government, it is there responsibility to keep the people of this nation safe. It is their responsibility to minimize our risk.  It would be irresponsible not to do everything in their power to do so.  So adopting a more rigorous vetting process would be prudent.  Taking some time to determine who these immigrants are before they enter the country that would be prudent.

Our Government cannot be inviting people into our home, our country, who could pose a threat.  That is neither right nor responsible.  So my summary is this, as a people of God, let us serve and serve wherever He sends us.  As a government let us protect, for that is its purpose.