While some have been welcomed into their new countries, many more have not. Again, history reveals a common attitude of hatred and rejection of those who are now among us but are not like us
One only needs to look at the backlash in America when the Irish came, then the Chinese came. And these are only two examples of prejudice against immigrants in America's history. It hasn't even been one hundred years since the Holocaust when multitudes of Jews sought refuge here in this country. While desperate Jews were seeking a precious few visas in an attempt to flee Europe, lawmakers were busy passing immigration laws ensuring that they would be kept out of this country. Why? "They will take our jobs, the economic condition of the nation, Nazis will come in among them," were the reasons. And history proves that a large majority of them were denied entry into this country.
God has put human government in place to provide safety and stability for people to live in the nations they live in. In a fallen world where the majority of people are living lives apart from Christ something is needed to keep some semblance of order and to restrain evil. In the best case scenario we would find people living decent lives under a government who cares for, and protects them. Sadly, so many leaders past, and present do not.
This sets up the conflict. People leave one place to enter another, again, for various reasons. And as part of their responsibilities towards the people they are entrusted to protect, governments need some form of security over their borders, and as they are morally responsible individuals (as we all are) the care for people coming into these countries must be considered as well. In a perfect world this should work well. However we do not live in a perfect world. We live in a fallen world ruled by fallen leaders, and this sets up an "us versus them" system that ultimately hurts people who have been made in the image of God.
Before I continue I would like to reiterate that governments do have a responsibility to ensure the well-being of its citizens, and border security is part of that. I have no issue with that. This nation is struggling with this presently, and unless everyone can get together to work out a plan that would ensure the safety of the nation while at the same time addressing the plight and concerns of so many who are entering this nation, nothing will be fixed.
My intent in writing this is not to look at the politics of this issue so much as it is to view this from a Biblical perspective. What does God have to say about the foreigners among us, and how should that affect our views on immigration and how we should treat immigrants.
When God brought up Israel from Egypt He gave them a law. They were to be living examples to the nations around them of what a righteous nation looked like (Deut 4:5-8). A common theme throughout the law reflected God's care for the poor and marginalized among them, including the stranger.
"You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt."
Exodus 22:21 NASB
"You shall not oppress a stranger, since you yourselves know the feelings of a stranger, for you also were strangers in the land of Egypt."
Exodus 23:9 NASB
A stranger was a foreigner living among the Israelites. This individual may or may not have rights granted them. Either way, God was concerned that they were welcomed and treated kindly. He reminds Israel of their former status as slaves in Egypt. They knew what it was like to be foreigners and a land not their own. They experienced oppression, and as such they should have some empathy towards someone who now was a stranger in Israel.
"When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt; I am the LORD your God."
Leviticus 19:33-34 NASB
Just as they were to love their neighbor as themselves, they were to love the stranger among them in the same way (Leviticus 19:18).
In that culture and time if one was widowed or orphaned there were very little means of support. God made provision for the care of these individuals in His law to ensure their well-being. We find several places in the Old Testament where this is true. It is worthy to note that the "stranger" is often included with them.
"You shall not pervert the justice due an alien or an orphan, nor take a widow's garment in pledge. But you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and that the LORD your God redeemed you from there; therefore I am commanding you to do this thing. When you reap your harvest in your field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow, in order that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat your olive tree, you shall not go over the boughs again; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not go over it again; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow. You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I am commanding you to do this thing."
Deuteronomy 24:17-22 NASB
The story of Ruth shows this "law" in action. When Naomi, an Israelite, and Ruth, her daughter in law, a Moabitess, are widowed, they return from Moab to Israel. In order to survive, Ruth goes to a field to gather up what was left behind by the reapers at harvest time. She is accepted by her new "countrymen" and ends up in the genealogy of King David, and ultimately that ofJesus.
You cannot legislate compassion, it must come from the heart. When one looks back at where we have come from, what we have experienced, we then can identify with the experience of others. This is carried into the teaching of the New Testament where we are told to "forgive as we have been forgiven" (Col 3:10-13).
Jesus tells of a man who had been graciously forgiven of a very large debt. However he apparently was disconnected from the reality of the grace shown towards him, as he proceeded to angrily demand payment from an individual who owed him considerably less (see Matt 18:22-35). We need, by the Spirit of God, a deep comprehension of the depth of our sin, and the richness of God's mercy before this saying is true in our lives: "He who is forgiven much loves much" (see Luke 7:36-47).
This is not merely some Old Testament law that was valid for Israel only, and now we under grace are exempt from putting it into practice. From the beginning, the New Testament Church took the care of the poor and needy seriously. It goes beyond an Old Covenant command, ultimately finding its expression in the law of Love. Jesus confirms the law of Love as that which fulfills the law (Matt 7:12).
Love demands that we treat others in the same way we would be treated. Love knows no racial distinctions. Jesus made that quite clear in the parable of the good Samaritan (see Luke 19:30-37). Regardless of what stand the politicians might take, and regardless of what the unbelieving world might think about this issue, we as followers of Christ must look at this through the eyes of Jesus.
Those of us who are Gentile believers would do well to look at where we have come from to be brought into the kingdom of Christ,
Remember that you were at that time seperate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 2:12-13 NASB
God chose a people to whom He revealed Himself. They received the law, the temple, and sacrificial system of worship, the covenants and promises. It was to Israel that Jesus Christ came, and it was also to Israel that the gospel came first. We Gentiles have been grafted into this vine (Roman 11:17) God has graciously offered salvation to us as well through the blood of Christ.
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are if God's household.
Ephesians 2:19 NASB
Notice how at one time we who are Gentiles were "strangers" alienated from the covenants and promises that were given to Israel. But now we are no longer strangers and aliens, but citizens of the kingdom of God. And all of those who belong to God's kingdom, whether Jew or Gentile, are now strangers and aliens in this world. Our citizenship is in heaven (John 17:14, Phil 4:20). Our allegiance has changed, we are answerable to a higher authority.
We should be able to identify with the stranger among us. Instead of fear and distrust we should be willing and able to welcome the sojourner, just as we have been welcomed into the family of God. The vast majority of people migrating to America are coming to find a better life for themselves and their families. As I have previously stated, people are desperate to escape war, oppression, poverty, famine, among other things. We are the hands and feet of Jesus. We, as His followers can make a difference in their lives.
What about illegal immigration? There are many undocumented immigrants in this country, with many more that come over illegally. What should a Christian do in this situation? The Bible also instructs us to submit to the governing authorities.
I am in no way encouraging illegal entry into this or any country. However, loving our neighbor as ourselves can come into conflict with obeying the government. Remember, we as citizens of heaven have a higher authority. Are we to police the immigrants we may come in contact with, or are we to simply love them. I understand that sometimes dangerous people do come into this country, and that's something different. What I mean is this- we don't know the the situations that cause many to enter illegally. People are desperate. All I ask is that as Christians we could show some compassion. Immigrant status should not make a difference in how we treat someone.
It was illegal to give any sort of help to a Jew in Nazi occupied Europe during WW2. While there were many people who risked their lives to protect Jews during this time, most did not. In fact, Christians were encouraged by their pastors to obey the governing authorities, who in this case was ultimately Adoph Hitler. How many more Jews could have been saved, (at a high cost to those who helped them perhaps), if the higher law of Love was adhered to instead?
God's concern for the alien is so great that there are consequences for disobedience. In a passage condemning Idolatry, the dishonoring of one's parents, property theft, sexual sin and bribery ( see Deut 27:15-26) we find this,
Cursed is he who distorts the justice due an alien, orphan, and widow...
Deuteronomy 27:19
Again, marginalized people are vulnerable. They make easy targets, and God condemns this. The unbelievers around us may get caught up in this, but let us who follow Christ be different.
Some day Jesus will return in judgement, and all of the rhetoric and mistreatment of the alien will be dealt with.
"Then I will draw near to you for judgement; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers and against the adulterers and against those who swear falsely, and against those who oppress the wage earner in his wages, the widow and the orphan, and those who turn aside the alien and do not fear Me." Says the LORD of hosts.
Malachi 3:5 NASB
To push away the alien, refusing to help them in their need, is just as serious as sorcery and adultery in God's eyes. It is evidence of a lack of the fear of the Lord. I want to be clear that a secure border is a necessary thing, and I am fine with that. However what history has shown to be true right up to the present is that for many, foreigners are not welcome. We see this played out in the news, in politics, and on social media. Again, we would expect this from the "world", but not from a Christian who claims to follow Jesus.
I recently watched a video in which an individual was asked if Jesus would be welcomed if He came to America. I was shocked, but not really surprised by the response, "If He came legally."
I would say that Jesus has come to multiple countries, including America, multiple times.
"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...
This is the separation of the sheep and goats found in Matthew 25:31-46.
According to Jesus' words our willingness to welcome a stranger, as well as our refusal to welcome a stranger, matter to Him. He takes it personally, as if it were done, or not done unto Him!
I believe that what we have a tremendous opportunity today to reach people with the gospel who have been unreachable before. A few years ago missionary organizations talked about the 10/40 window, an area including North Africa, the Middle East into Asia. This is an incredibly dangerous and difficult area to bring the gospel. It's amazing to see so many refugees fleeing these countries and coming into countries where the gospel is readily available. Are we up to the task?
I wrote about this nine years ago. You can read that post here.
And here is a link to a previous post as well. You can read it here.
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