Stranger or Angel?

We live in a strange world is a comment we often hear. And strange, it is, because so many bad things happen in our society today. Society is in a tailspin. Even in the grips of a pandemic, we still hear of murders, shootings, robberies, and the usual fallouts of society.

Worst of all, we often hear of the terrible and bad things. It seems our media thrive on the negative news, whereas the positive takes the back page or end item. Pity. Evil dominates all spheres of lives; society is confused about what is right from what is wrong. It has reached the stage where evil becomes good and good becomes evil. Truth is relative is a popular notion, thus there is no inclination to seek for truth. The Bible says, God’s word is truth. John 17:17, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

But then again, “The whole world lies in wickedness,” says 1 John 5: 19, because people continue to break God’s laws. Yet God expects us to show love for one another, by helping people, even strangers, when they are in need.

The Bible speaks of such a time, 2 Timothy 3:1.  “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. ² For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³ Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, ⁴ Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; ⁵ Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. ⁶ For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ⁷ Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

But how do we help people we don’t know when they could harm us? Evil people can kidnap or murder people. The fact is not everyone is bad. There is still some good in the world, as some would say. The stranger you meet could need your help and means no harm. God’s people should not allow the evil in society to prevent us from doing good. However, we must always pray to God for guidance in helping those in need, and take the necessary precautions when we try to offer help. For example, you can try to be in the company of an adult or other people.

In the parable of The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30), the priest and the Levite, who one would have expected to help the wounded man, passed on the other side. It was a Samaritan, a stranger, who helped the wounded man.

We, as Christians, should try to “do good unto all men.” Hebrews 13.1 tells us, “Let brotherly love continue. ² Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. ³ Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.”  The person we refuse to help could very well be a messenger from God. In this time of a global pandemic, there will be opportunities to let our light shine so God will get the glory.

Matt. 5:13, “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. ¹⁴ Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. ¹⁵ Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. ¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Remember Paul says in 1 Cor. 13:1 that if we don’t have love, we have nothing. Jesus reminds us in Matt. 25:35 “for I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you took me in.” Pray to God always to guide you in whatever you do, especially when you meet a stranger in need. For more on this subject, download FREE our pamphlet, HOW TO BE USED OF GOD.