The Bible and Immigration

         Illegal immigration has been a hot topic for several years in our nation, and has ramped up significantly under the last two administrations. Under the Biden administration, there was a large influx of illegal aliens, and now the Trump administration is seeking to deport as many as possible, giving particular focus to those with criminal records (although not exclusively). So, what does the Bible say about foreigners and how we are to treat them? That is what I would like to take a look at in this post.

To gain a good understanding of this, we need to go back to the Old Testament. The children of Israel went down into Egypt during a seven-year famine to be taken care of by their brother, Joseph, who was second in command to Pharaoh. After Joseph died, another Pharaoh rose to power, and began oppressing the Jewish people under cruel bondage. After 430 years, the Lord brought them up out of Egypt to lead them into the promised land. While in the wilderness, the Lord had some things to say about foreigners. He said, “You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.” (Ex 22:21) “You shall not oppress a sojourner. You know the heart of a sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.” (Ex 23:9) “When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” (Lev 19:33-34) And, “You shall have the same rule for the sojourner and for the native, for I am the Lord your God.” (Lev 24:22) As we can see, we are not to wrong or oppress strangers (foreigners), but we are to treat them as one of us and love them as ourselves. However, once here, they are subject to the same laws and punishments for crimes as we are.

Having borders is nothing new, for nations have had borders for millennia. In fact, the Scriptures teach that sovereign nations are God’s way of restraining evil, and that their borders are actually appointed by God (see Genesis 11:1-9 Acts 17:26-27). Furthermore, The Bible tells us God has ordained human government for the good of mankind, and tells us to submit to that government (Romans 13:1-7). Sovereign nations need secure borders so they can control who enters and exits the country. The issue of boarders is far bigger than the migrant worker. We need the migrant worker, and in the case of North Central Washington, farming would be impossible without them. Secure borders is  about controlling the inflow of persons such as Islamic terrorists, foreign operatives of enemy nations such as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), human traffickers, and other violent criminals. As we can see then, there is both a Biblical and a practical purpose for nations having defined borders, as well as defending those borders.

Our founding fathers wanted foreigners to immigrate to our country. They understood that America was indebted to emigration for its settlement and prosperity, and they wanted to share it with others. George Washington wrote, “The bosom of America is open to receive not only the Opulent and respectable Stranger, but the oppressed and persecuted of all Nations and Religions; whom we shall welcome to a participation of all our rights and privileges, if by decency and propriety of conduct they appear to merit the enjoyment.” However, they wanted whoever immigrated here to live here for a while, to ensure they assimilated into our culture and shared our values before they were naturalized as citizens. Alexander Hamilton wrote, “Some reasonable term ought to be allowed to enable aliens to get rid of foreign and acquire American attachments; to learn the principles and imbibe the spirit of our government; and to admit of at least a probability of their feeling a real interest in our affairs. A residence of at least five years ought to be required.” The spirit of our government is a constitutional republic that is embodied in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” And, “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” The founders viewed our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to be from God, and it was government’s job to secure those rights. Incidentally, Christianity and the Bible were influential in forming our constitution and many of our laws. In summary, immigration has been desired from the beginning of our country, but along with it has come the expectation that immigrants will adopt the American way of life, Christianity being a major part of this.

So, in light of this, how should we view the current immigration challenges? From both a Scriptural and a practical stand-point, we need secure borders in order to keep out bad actors and preserve the American way of life. At the same time, we want people to immigrate here legally who want to assimilate into our culture and be productive members of society as many have already done. Unfortunately, there needs to be some vetting process to ensure those bad actors are not allowed in. Once here, we should treat them well and love them as our own selves. After being a resident for a time, then they can go through the naturalization process and be afforded all the rights and privileges of U.S. Citizens. I know there are different visas with varying expirations, but five years seems like a reasonable time frame.

As it relates to illegal immigrants, if they are here without a criminal record, I do not believe it is worth rounding all of them up and deporting them. First of all, our own government has compounded the problem by flip-flopping back and forth on its stance on illegal immigration. Immigrants are told to come here in the masses during one administration, and deported during another. Furthermore, there have been immigrants who have tried to do the right thing, but, due to all the red tape and legal costs, were not able to extend their visas or go through the naturalization process. It’s almost as though the system is set up to reward those who do not care, while making it difficult on those who do. Sadly, immigrants have, to a large extent, been pawns in the hands of politicians, in particular the radical Left. If you are an immigrant reading this, the radical left wants you here, but not for your benefit. They want you here and trapped on all their government programs. They want you trapped so they can control you, starting with your vote. Ultimately, what they want is a Socialist or Marxist utopia, which will be terrible for you and the rest of us Americans. If you don’t believe me, ask the Venezuelans. They were dancing in the streets when our special forces captured Nicolas Meduro. The only ones who will benefit will be them, and that will be short-lived.

The second reason I do not believe we should deport illegals without a criminal record is they may have escaped a terrible existence in their former country. In Deuteronomy it states, “You shall not give back to his master the slave who has escaped from his master to you. He may dwell with you in your midst, in the place which he chooses within one of your gates, where it seems best to him; you shall not oppress him.” (Deut 23:15-16) Sending them back to their former country would only subject them to the same or worse. If they are here and are otherwise law-abiding persons and willing to assimilate into American society, I believe it would be best to let them remain here. However, they should seek to go through the asylum process if that applies. If that does not apply, they should seek to become a legal resident or go through the naturalization process because it is the right thing to do in accordance with the Scriptures and the law of the land. As I stated previously, I do not believe it is the best use of our governments time and resources to round up illegals who are productive members of society, nor do I advocate turning anyone in for being here illegally. However, if they do none of these afore mentioned solutions, and are apprehended, they cannot be too upset, for they are here illegally. Should we be separating children from their parents or guardians? No, not unless their parents have a criminal record, in which case it would be no different than any U.S. citizen who is separated from their family for a criminal offense.

If illegal immigrants are here with a criminal record, they should not be automatically deported, but should be tried and punished for their crimes first. If they are murderers, rapists, or human traffickers, it should be a capital offense. This is simply biblical justice. In addition, there is no point in filling our prisons with those types of criminals and be a burden to the American taxpayer. Also, no matter where you stand on the issue, it does not justify violent protests, including assaulting immigration officers. Many of these individuals are being stirred up by paid agitators, but nonetheless, it is not the way to solve our differences.

There is a way to approach this challenge (and any other) in a peaceful and constructive manner: Jesus said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Mat 22:37-39) “Love does no harm to a neighbor,” and is the fulfilment of God’s law. If we would love God with all our being and each other as ourselves, all these issues would work themselves out. We could come up with a straight-forward and easy method for bringing immigrants into our country, assimilating them into our culture, showing compassion on those less well-off than we are, and do this while still respecting the rule of law. Hopefully this has been insightful and thought-provoking, and can help us navigate these particular challenges our nation is going through.

 

Additional Links

 

THE REAL TRUTH OF ISLAM: William Federer

DIVIDE and CONQUER is WORKING: Is Minneapolis Just the Beginning?

Homan Announces Drawdown of 700 Federal Agents in Minnesota

5-year-old detained by ICE when father fled now ordered released  

    

 

Romans 15 - The God of Hope

Last time in Romans, we talked about Christian liberty. There are things in Christianity (the nonessentials) that we are free to do, but should not if it offends or stumbles other believers. Love will not unnecessarily offend or cause others to stumble. The kingdom of God is not in meat or drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. If we have faith to exercise a freedom, then have it to ourselves before God. If we have doubts, then we should not partake, since whatever is not of faith is sin. In chapter 15, Paul will finish up his discussion on Christian liberty, and then begin penning the closing to his epistle.

He states that those who are strong ought to bear with others’ weaknesses. As we saw in chapter 14, those who are weak in the faith are those believers who make extra rules above what God has already prescribed for us, either because they sincerely believe the Lord wants them to keep those rules, or they are vulnerable to temptation in that particular area. Those who are strong should support those weak brothers and sisters. Rather than pleasing ourselves with our freedoms, we should seek to please others by building them up. Paul wrote to the Philippians, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Phil 2:3-4)

Jesus is our example, who did not come to please Himself, but bore the reproaches of men that were really against the Father who sent Him. This was a prophecy of Jesus given in Psalm 69:9, who endured their reproaches in hopes of saving some. Paul continues in Philippians, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” (Phil 2:5-8)

Paul reminds us that the Old Testament Scriptures are there for our learning as well, that through patience (perseverance) and comfort of the Scriptures, we might have hope. If Jesus persevered through life’s challenges and overcame, then we too will overcome through our faith in Him (1 John 5:4). He prayed that the God of patience and comfort would grant them to be like-minded toward one another according to Christ Jesus. The context here is still Christian liberty, and just as God is patient with us in our weaknesses, we ought to be patient with one another so we can with one mind and mouth glorify God the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. He began chapter 14 telling them to receive those that are weak in the faith, and he ends by telling them to receive one another just as Christ has received us to the glory of God. Whether we are the legalist Christian or the free one, we are to receive one another. We are not told to erase our differences, but to rise above them.

Jesus Christ has become a minister to the circumcision (the Jews) according to the Scriptures, and this is in fulfilment of the prophesies given to their ancestors. It is also that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy. Paul then quotes from several OT passages that God intended for the Gentiles to praise Him: “as it is written: ‘For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, and sing to Your name.’ And again he says: ‘Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!’ And again: ‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!’ And again, Isaiah says: ‘There shall be a root of Jesse; and He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, in Him the Gentiles shall hope.’”

Again, Paul prays, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Not only are we to have hope, but we believe in and serve the God of hope. He will not allow us to go through any circumstance without providing us the hope of seeing us through. He gives us all joy and peace in (by) believing. We have all probably gone through situations where we didn’t feel like we had joy and peace, but we need to remember we receive it by faith. This is faith in the person of Jesus Christ generally, but faith specifically that He wants to give these things to us. Because of this, we can abound in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

He reassures them that he did not believe they were drastically falling short in these areas, but was confident they were full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to admonish each other. However, he wrote to them more boldly on some points as a reminder. Sometimes we need to be reminded of things. It’s not that we don’t know or don’t want to do the right thing necessarily, but we just have forgotten for whatever reason. Life has a way of distracting us, and we need that reminder from time to time.

Paul viewed his calling of being an apostle to the Gentiles as an act of the grace of God. He wanted the offering of the Gentiles to God to be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit, so his reminders were to prepare them for that offering. He had reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things that pertained to God as it related to the Gentiles, and would not glory in what God had done through others. The Lord had worked through him to make the Gentiles obedient to the faith through mighty signs and wonders by the Spirit of God. The Lord confirmed his ministry through signs and wonders through the power of the Holy Spirit, and this was in fulfilment of Jesus’ words, “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” This was not to happen as the primary draw to Christianity, but in confirmation of the Word being preached. “So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into Heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.” (Mark 16:17-20)

Through the power of the Spirit, Paul had preached the Gospel from Jerusalem all the way to Illyricum (South Eastern Europe). He did not want to preach the Gospel where others had already done so because he did not want to build on another man’s foundation. There is nothing wrong with building upon the foundation of someone else, but he probably thought there was too much work that needed to be done. He viewed his ministry as a fulfilment of an Old Testament prophecy, “To whom He was not announced, they shall see; and those who have not heard shall understand.”

It was because of Paul’s traveling around preaching the Gospel that he had been hindered from coming to Rome, but he planned to come see them on his way to Spain. He wanted to enjoy their company for a time, and hoped they would further assist him in his missionary endeavors in going to Spain. However, before doing so, he was going to Jerusalem to bring an offering from those in Macedonia and Achaia for the poor believers in Jerusalem. The Gentiles had been partakers of spiritual things from the Jews, so it was only fitting that the Gentiles should help the Jews with material needs. Once he had delivered this offering, then he planned to go through Rome on his way to Spain, and would come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.

Paul begged them through the Lord Jesus Christ and love of the Spirit that they would strive with him in prayer that he would be delivered from those in Judea that did not believe, and that his offering would be acceptable to the Church there. His desire was to come to them with joy by the will of God and be refreshed. Paul’s prayers were not answered in the way he had hoped, because the Lord had a different plan. He did make it to Jerusalem, but he was arrested by the Jews and then turned over to the Romans. Through his various trials and traveling to Rome, he was able to witness to soldiers and centurions, governors, primitive islanders, and eventually Caesar himself. As far as missionary endeavors go, he accomplished far more than he probably had planned on. When the Lord does not answer our prayers as we want Him to, He has a plan that is bigger and better than we could ever come up with. He ends by saying, “Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.” In the final chapter, Paul         will conclude his epistle to the Romans.

Romans 14 - Concerning Christian Liberty

 

In our last study, we talked about how human government is a divinely appointed institution. They are there to be public servants for the good of society, and to execute justice for wrong-doing. For this reason, we are to submit to the authorities to avoid their wrath and to have a clean conscience before God. In this chapter Paul is going to discuss Christian liberty, and how we should conduct ourselves with such liberties.

He begins by saying they should receive those who are weak in the faith. In other words, they should not refuse to fellowship with others who are not on the same level of maturity as they are. We can have constructive conversations with people, but we should not argue with them on nonessentials. On the essentials of the faith, however, we should be in agreement. These are those doctrines that make Christianity true Christianity, and they are clearly taught in the Scriptures. The nonessentials are those things for which we can disagree, either because they do not make a difference in our right standing with the Lord, or the Scriptures are somewhat ambiguous. We may have strong opinions on these matters, but should be willing to yield for the sake of others when necessary. As it has been said, “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.” My goal in this study is to present a biblical case why we are free in certain matters, but may not want to exercise those freedoms for the sake of others.

Some believe they can eat all things, and others who are weak eat only vegetables. As we can see, those weak in the faith are those who place extra rules on themselves and on others that God has not prescribed. This may be because they sincerely believe God wants them to adhere to these set of rules, or because they have a propensity to certain sins and these extra rules help keep them away from those sins. In context, these were people (primarily Gentiles) who did not want to eat meat, possibly because they used to eat meat sacrificed to idols, and they felt they would be sinning or tempted to sin by eating meat.

So, what does the Bible say about eating meat? For starters, let’s go back to Genesis 9 where it states, “So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be on every beast of the earth, on every bird of the air, on all that move on the earth, and on all the fish of the sea. They are given into your hand. Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs. But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.” (Gen 9:1-4) Before the fall when sin and death entered into the world, God’s intent was for our food source to be from plants (Genesis 1:29-30). However, after the flood, God ordained all living things for food. He only told them they were not to eat the blood. Again, this was pre-law, so this is God’s permission granted (or even possibly his recommendation) to mankind.

In our day and age, we don’t typically have the problem of people sacrificing meat to idols, but we do have lots of individuals who do not like to eat meat for health reasons. There is nothing sinful about not eating meat for health reasons, but my concern is this actually has been influenced by something more sinister. Paul wrote to Timothy, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” (1 Tim 4:1-5) In modern application, this would probably represent those who are involved in the New Age or occult who have made the environment their god, and, therefore, among other things, preach we should not eat meat. As we can see, God intended every living thing to be food for us if we desire to eat it, because it is made clean by the word of God and prayer. Therefore, we can eat it and be thankful for it. However, if a believer chooses not to eat meat for health reasons, we should not pass judgment on them, nor they on us, for God has received both. We are not to pass judgment on a fellow-servant of God, because it is not our place. We will each stand before God and answer for ourselves.

Next, Paul will address the observing of religious days. Another common disagreement within the Church is which days we should observe, and which ones we should not. Probably the most common of these would be the Sabbath day, followed by various Jewish feasts found in the Old Testament. If we are observing these things out of some legal requirement to be obedient to the Lord, then we would be debtors to keep the whole law (Galatians 5:3). However, if we merely observe them because we see value in them or just enjoy doing so, there is no issue. Either way though, this is not a barrier for fellowship. Some like to esteem one day above another, and others consider every day as holy to the Lord. Paul says to let each be fully persuaded in his own mind, because whether we observe or do not observe a day, it is unto the Lord. This is the same for meats. Paul wrote to the Colossians, “So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” (Col 2:16-17)

We do not live or die to ourselves, but in both instances, we do it unto the Lord, for we belong to Him. It is for this reason that Christ died and rose again, that He would be Lord of both the dead and the living. Why do we then judge or have contempt for each other? The legalist Christian finds it easy to judge those who do not keep the rules they believe should be kept, and the free Christian judges the legalist for being proud and self-righteous for trying to impose their rules on them. However, we all will stand before the judgment seat of Christ to confess Him as Lord, and will give an account for what we have done. This judgment seat is the bema seat in which believers will be rewarded for their works after those works have been tested by fire.

So then, we are not to judge one another in these matters, but there is another principle at play here. This principle is love. Although we may be free to do or not do something, there may be times when exercising our freedom will harm others. Paul said that he was convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself, but if someone deems it to be unclean, to him it is unclean. If a brother or sister thinks eating meat is unclean, and we flaunt our freedom in front of them, we are not walking in love. Our actions may offend them or stumble them back into the sin the Lord delivered them from, and they are someone for whom Christ died. At this point our freedom becomes evil because it is offensive or possibly bondage to someone else. The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. We can make a big deal out of our own personal freedoms or rules, but miss what is really important as it relates to the things of the Lord. When we focus on righteousness, peace, and joy, this is acceptable to God and to men. We are to pursue the things that make peace and that build up others rather than destroying the work of God over food. All things are pure, but it is evil to do it if it offends others. We should not want to eat meat, drink wine, or do anything that stumbles, offends, or makes someone else weak.

Almost in passing, Paul mentions wine as one of those freedoms believers have that we may not want to exercise because it may stumble others. This is another one of those topics for which people have strong opinions, and understandably so, since alcohol abuse has destroyed countless lives. The Bible does not condemn the drinking of alcohol, but it does come with some clear warnings. Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation (excess); but be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18) Now, if the Lord wanted to communicate to us that drinking in any amount is sinful, I believe He would have said it right here. However, it is drunkenness that He says is a sin. Some like to debate what drunk is, but it’s simply drinking to the point where one’s physical and mental faculties are impaired. So, Christians are free to drink in moderation unless it offends or stumbles someone else. For more on what the Bible has to say regarding alcohol abuse, you can read Proverbs 20:1 and 23:29-35.

There is one other point worth mentioning here, and that is the possibility of stumbling ourselves. Chuck Smith said that if by exercising his freedom to have, he loses his freedom not to have, then he is no longer free, and this is so true. When it comes to things with an addictive nature such as alcohol, we need to be careful we are not ensnared by it. If we have difficulty drinking in moderation, then we should not drink at all. It’s not worth the consequences of drunkenness or potentially becoming an alcoholic.

Paul ends the chapter by asking, do we have faith to exercise a freedom? Have it to yourself before God. If those whom we are around are offended or stumbled by our exercising of a particular freedom, then keep it to ourselves before God. Enjoy those things we can do in faith. However, if we doubt, we are condemned if we eat, because it is not done out of faith. Whatever is not done out of faith is sin. In other words, if we believe something to be wrong and do it anyway, or if we do something not being fully convinced it is alright, it is sin. At this point, it becomes a matter of the heart. Our heart is not right with the Lord if we are willing to do something that we believe to be sinful or has the potential to be. We should act on our convictions until the time comes that we are convinced through the Scriptures that what we want to do is in line with the Lord’s will.

There are no doubt other things we are free to partake in, but we may choose not to exercise those freedoms. We should apply the same principles: If the Scriptures do not speak to them as being sinful, we should make sure we are doing them out of faith, not passing judgment on others for seeing it differently. We should also make sure we are not causing a brother or sister to stumble by exercising those freedoms. If these things check out, we are free to enjoy or not enjoy them in the Lord.