Perry Stone 2019-01-19 00:01:19

It was on this day in 1790 that the French National Assembly granted full equality and citizenship to Portuguese Jews who were living in France. France was one of the first nations to pass such liberal policies, allowing foreigners to have full rights along with French Nationals. France was once considered a pioneer in liberal decisions such as these. Napoleon was the first modern statesman to promise the restoration of Israel to Jews, as well as offering financial assistance. However, there is a downside to such liberal and free-thinking policies – today France is being overrun by Islam. There have been riots in the streets and threats of more violence unless Sharia is recognized as lawful in France. Other citizens have countered with their own riots protesting the toleration of those who would undermine French sovereignty.

As good as it is to be kind to those who sojourn among you, there must also be limits placed on those who sojourn among you. The Scripture fully supports this position. God commanded Israel that they were not to be unkind to the strangers among them.

“You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were once strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 22:21)

Yet, He also says this:

“One law shall be to him that is home-born and unto the stranger who sojourns among you.” (Exodus 12:49)

If there is to be liberty, there must also be limits because without boundaries and laws, there is no liberty—there is only anarchy and lawlessness. Liberal policies have the appearance of being good, but those good qualities also have detrimental effects. Where boundaries are left to be flexible and fluid, there will always be those who exploit good intentions in order to advance their own wicked schemes. Boundaries must be firm and consistent especially those boundaries that the Creator established. In Proverbs 14:12, we are told this:

“There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

We should keep in mind that the ways leading to death do not always appear as being evil; many times, those ways have the appearance of being good. So, if the world calls something good, how should we view it? If the world considers the ways of the Master to be evil, intolerant and bigoted, how should we view it? They desire that we erase the boundaries that define our life, particularly those that are ordained by the Almighty. They threaten in every conceivable way those who would stand for justice and righteousness. We must not concede to their demands but must defend the borders that God has established in our lives. So be strong and of good courage.