Paul’s Epistle to the Church in America

MAY 10, 2023 BY JAMES WERNING

What would Saint Paul say if we actually obeyed God’s call for justice and compassion?

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the saints in the United States of America.

I rejoice to hear of your great love for all God’s children, that you are not like the unrighteous who live in fear of strangers. Even the wicked know how to care for their own families, but you do much more than that, abiding in the perfect love that casts out fear, knowing that in Christ there is neither black nor white, male nor female, immigrant nor outcast, straight nor gay nor trans-gendered, rich nor poor, that all are precious in his eyes.

You are not like the zealots who judge sinners from afar, claiming they have a social agenda to destroy you. Instead you demonstrate God’s love by befriending unbelievers and sharing meals with strangers. For it is written: “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no compassion, how can the love of God be in them?”

Neither is your generosity hindered by those who would call you Socialists. For it is written, “Our desire is .. that there might be equality. Your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: ‘The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.’”

Unlike the heathens who stockpile weapons for destruction, you are peacekeepers, bringing love and justice, even at risk to yourselves. You are not like the Pharisees who are content to continually talk, judging sinners with a show of piety, claiming a testimony on their lips but not through their actions. For God is love and only those who know love are born of God.

I rejoice that as strangers on this planet, you willingly surrender your comfort, giving and receiving God’s love in prisons, ghettos, homeless shelters, refugee camps and recovery centers. Unlike the worldly rich, you are content with little, not filling storehouses out of greed or fear, remembering Jesus who said, “Tomorrow will care for itself,” and “It is better to give than to receive.”

In humility, you prove your faith both in word and deed. You do not ally yourself with those who trample the oppressed and call them undeserving poor, making them casualties in a political crusade for a so-called “greater good.” These crusades are not of God, for it is written: “Love does no harm.”

Know that when Peter, James and John commissioned Barnabas and me for ministry, they said not a word about impressing our theology or morality upon the Gentiles; “All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.” And in fact the singular mark of the early church is its love in action, as God’s people love as Jesus loved; sacrificially giving our lives and possessions for weak and suffering people. How else will the world see God’s love, if we do not demonstrate God’s mercy for the oppressed?

I rejoice that you have closed your ears to false promises of security in earthly riches. Instead, you increase your heavenly treasures by bringing good news to the poor, healing to the sick, release to inmates, and freedom to the oppressed. As you welcome outcasts in your midst, know that Jesus is very pleased. Hear him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant, for whatever you have done for the least of these, my friend, you have done for me.”

Remain faithful, American church, and your love and justice will reap a great harvest in God’s kingdom, to his eternal praise and glory. Amen.

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“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” — Matthew 25:35-36

“Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” — Matthew 5:42

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” — Luke 6:38

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” — Matthew 19:21

“So when you give to the needy …” — Matthew 6:2

John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” — Luke 3:11

“If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.” — Luke 6:29b-30

“And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.”

— Matthew 5:40

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” — Luke 4:18-19

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. — 1 John 3:17-18

All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. — Acts 2:44-47

Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.” — 2 Corinthians 8:13-15

All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along. — Galatians 2:10

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. — Romans 12:13

Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. — Romans 12:16

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. — Hebrews 13:2

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. — Hebrews 13:16

Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. — Ephesians 4:28

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. — 1 Timothy 6:17-18

Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. — 1 Timothy 5:8

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. — James 1:27