The situation of millions of refugees and displaced people around the world is the greatest humanitarian crisis we have faced since World War II. According to the UNHCR, at the end of 2019 there were some 79.5 million forcibly displaced people worldwide.¹ About 40% of them are children who often are exploited, abused, or victims of sex trafficking and violence. These staggering statistics should not blind us to the fact that we are dealing with real human beings and their stories. The predominant discourse on international migration emphasizes large flows of migrants and refugees from the Global South to the Global North. However, countries of the Global South host 84% of the world’s refugees and displaced persons and their numbers are increasing.² In fact, the poorest countries in the world—the developing states—host 28% of all refugees. In other words, the refugee crisis is disproportionally present in the Global South, where those who are the least able to bear responsibility often are forced to shoulder it. As a global church with a worldwide outreach, we are confronted with tragic human circumstances and a crisis that poses unique challenges and responsibilities for all of us. The situation calls for a careful biblical evaluation and response that reflects the love of God and His compassion.

Being confronted with unfamiliar people from distant parts of the world who speak a foreign language, practice a different lifestyle, have unusual value systems, and share other religious preferences can easily create reservations in us and foster prejudices. Often the fear is expressed that large numbers of displaced people can impact the prevailing culture and social dynamics and will have economic implications for the countries in which they seek refuge. In the field of forced migration studies, the available empirical data strongly suggests that refugees are not an economic burden to host countries in the long run.³ We recognize the right of any state to guard the safety of its citizens, and we see the need of migrants and refugees to respect the laws and culture of their host countries if they do not contradict God’s law. But fending off victims of violence, armed conflict, religious persecution, natural disasters, or life-threatening economic conditions is inhumane and does not reflect the spirit of Christ. While it is understandable that unfamiliar customs and practices create uneasiness in us, we should carefully guard our thinking and our actions from fears that may or may not be driven by conspiracy theories. All our insecurities and fears as well as our sinful prejudices need to be confronted in the light of the gospel and truth. The Bible tells us that God’s love drives out all fear (1 John 4:18) and always seeks the best in the other person (1 Cor 13:4–7). God even commands us to love our enemies (Matt 5:44; Luke 6:27) and do good to them, expecting nothing in return (Luke 6:35). This biblical mandate may force us out of our comfort zone, but it will be a blessing when we follow the example of Jesus.

Some Biblical Perspectives

Biblical Precedents on Migrants

From its very beginning, Scripture tells us that people had to leave their home and settle in foreign places. The human story begins with the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the garden of Eden (Gen 3:23–24). Abraham had to leave his home and move to a country that was new to him (Gen 12:4–9). The people of Israel were forced to flee to Egypt because of a great famine in the land (Gen 42–47). Later God’s people were displaced because of war and led captive into Babylon (2 Kgs 24:10–24; Dan 1:1–2). Joseph and Mary fled with Jesus to Egypt because of persecution (Matt 2:13–14) and later Jesus’ disciples faced a similar fate (Acts 8:1, 4–5). The Bible is full of stories of displaced people who had to flee and seek refuge elsewhere. Because of their own painful experience as foreigners and slaves in Egypt and as exiles in Babylon, God repeatedly reminded His people to be mindful of their experience and be kind to the stranger in their midst.

Biblical Principles to Deal with Strangers and Foreigners

To show compassion and mercy and to help those in need is a divine mandate, rooted in God’s great love for us. In the Old Testament, God’s compassionate character is the very reason why “the poor and the foreigner” should not be neglected (Lev 19:10).⁴ God admonishes His people that “when a foreigner resides among you in your land do not mistreat them” (Lev 19:33; cf. Exod 22:21; 23:9; Deut 24:14, 17; 27:19). In fact, God reminds us that “the foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself; for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God” (Lev 19:34). God even admonishes His people to treat the needy and poor among themselves as they would treat the foreigner and stranger (Lev 25:35; cf. Exod 12:49; 20:10; 23:12; Deut 10:15–19). Therefore, Israel should apply the same law for foreigners and native-born (Lev 24:22; Num 15:15–16). God even reminds His people that they reside in His land “as foreigners and strangers” (Lev 25:23).

This call for compassion to all human beings, irrespective of their geographic origin or ethnic identity, is grounded in the biblical teaching of creation. The Bible teaches that we all are created in the image of God (Gen 1:26–27). Regardless of their legal status, all refugees, migrants, and displaced people possess inherent and inviolable human dignity because of humanity’s common origin in God. Love for others is more than just a passive feeling; it involves active engagement. Reflecting the image of God, every human being deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and kindness. The right of residence does not change this premise. This fundamental insight into the dignity of all human beings who are created in the image of God finds its secular legal expression in human rights. As Seventh-day Adventists we honor the inalienable worth of every human being because of our common origin in God and therefore we respect human rights that reflect this biblical teaching.

Jesus’ Example of Love and Compassion

The New Testament encourages Christian believers to show a spirit of compassion and active love to those in need. Jesus, in the parable of the good Samaritan, gives His followers a helpful illustration of what it means to help others (Matt 25:31–46). In this passage the term “stranger” (xenos) occurs four times (Matt 25:35, 38, 43, 44). Jesus identifies Himself as a stranger to be welcomed (Matt 25:35) and Christ will remember every act of kindness shown to those in need, counting every kind treatment of any human person in need as if it had been done to Him. Jesus says, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matt 25:35 ESV). This reflects the Golden Rule that Jesus saw summarized in the Law and the Prophets: “Whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them” (Matt 7:12, ESV). God cares for the sparrows; how much more does He care for human beings, who are created in His image? (Matt 19:29, 31). Because God loves every human being, we are called to love others as well—even our enemies. The Sermon on the Mount teaches us the simple act of human kindness (Matt 5:43–48). While caring for others might at times look like a disadvantage, humanly speaking, the Bible tells us that it ultimately can be a huge blessing— not just for the person we help, but also for our own well-being.

In This World Believers Are Strangers and Pilgrims

Paul gives a theological meaning to the concept of strangers when He reminds Christian believers that we were all “strangers to the covenants of promise” and “now are no longer strangers and aliens” (Eph 2:12, 19 ESV). The strangers and Gentiles now have become a part of the church of Christ. Christian brothers may be strangers and need hospitality (3 John 1, 5). No matter where we live as God’s children, we are strangers in this world. The writer of Hebrews points out that on this earth we have “no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come” (Heb 13:14 ESV). Thus, in Hebrews 11:13 the heroes of faith are called strangers (xenos) and exiles (parepidēmos) on earth. This pilgrimage toward our heavenly home is a strong antidote against any sin of nationalism, racism, casteism, tribalism, ethnocentrism, or other -isms that are antithetical to biblical theology and our beliefs and alien to deeply held values of Seventh-day Adventists.⁵

The Christian attitude toward foreigners and strangers is driven by Christ’s love “which compels us” (2 Cor 5:14, NKJV) to show mercy to all and especially to the most vulnerable among them, who are often children. God is a God who treats all justly and with equity (Ps 9:8, NASB). God repeatedly reminds us in the Bible to be gracious and merciful to strangers in our midst and to reach out to them.

What Can We Do?

God’s love does not stop at national or tribal borders. God is merciful and kind to every person in the same manner. He is compassionate especially to those in need, regardless of the color of their skin, ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, financial position, or social status. As His children we should treat others the same way and emulate His loving and kind example. As Seventh-day Adventists we seek to relate to others in such a winsome way that we would be known for our kindness and love.

This compassionate and loving attitude starts with our thoughts and the language we use to express them. Unfortunately, much of the language about refugees and displaced people has become rather heartless, giving license to discrimination and racism and fostering an atmosphere of fear. Violent and aggressive language often leads to the dehumanization of specific groups of people and frequently is coupled with a denial of the dignity and value each human being has in God’s sight. As Seventh-day Adventist Christians we are against all tribalism and nationalism and reject derogatory and discriminatory rhetoric that depersonalizes, demoralizes, and demonizes people. Such rhetoric easily leads to a mentality that separates by erecting walls rather than building bridges that connect us so hope can be shared.

As Seventh-day Adventists we see our responsibility to engage in constructive ways with the people who are affected by this humanitarian crisis. With God’s help we want to see opportunities to become God’s healing and helping hands in reaching out to those affected by war, persecution, violence, famine, and other catastrophic events. We want to be agents of hope and healing—for the love of Christ compels us (2 Cor 5:14). Interestingly, many refugees and displaced people come from countries where the free proclamation of the gospel is difficult or even prohibited. In God’s providence these people are now brought near and into our sphere of influence,⁶ presenting unique opportunities to reach out to those in need to offer help and show Christlike compassion.⁷ Our love can trigger in them a desire to learn more about the caring faith they see in us. Our practical help will give our testimony credibility when we share the love of God that compels us to do good and to share the good news with them. As Seventh-day Adventists we have a sacred responsibility to be actively engaged to work for the health and well-being of others and to share God’s grace and salvation to a perishing world.

Caring for others who are in desperate need is not only the church’s business and responsibility. While we are grateful for the excellent work ADRA⁸ is doing, everyone is called to engage in creative actions that show the love of God and bring healing to those in need. This could be as simple as offering language classes to foreigners, being advocates for refugees and displaced people, providing housing and food, going with them to governmental offices, finding ways to ease their pain, helping the sick, comforting those who mourn, and giving hope to those who are receptive to it, to mention but some possibilities. In this we follow the example of Jesus, who, during His earthly ministry, found manifold practical ways to heal and to restore, to feed the hungry and to preach the coming of the kingdom of God. Seventh-day Adventists seek to find ways to be a blessing to those in need by living out their faith in harmony with the biblical message and following the example of Jesus.