There is much debate surrounding Arizona’s new immigration law. American politics tend to trick Christians into devoting themselves to Fox News instead of Scripture. The following is my attempt to help bring us back to the truths we already claim to believe.
1. A more accurate view of eternity right here in “our” country.
Revelation 7:9
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb…
What an amazing time we live in. “All nations” are sneaking into our country. As a Christian, how is this a bad thing?
2. A reminder that our citizenship is not of this world.
Ephesians 2:19-22
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
When we consume ourselves with protecting and taking pride in America we lose sight of who we really are as Christians.
3. They reveal our prejudice and sense of entitlement.
Colossians 3:11
Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
When jobs, safety, comfort and pride take precedent over other humans, we have a problem with prejudice and entitlement.
4. Ojeda’s
Jon, Thank you so much for posting this. I wholeheartedly agree.
And let us not forget Lev 19:33-34
Leviticus 19:33-34 (New International Version)
33 ” ‘When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. 34 The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.
I have thought about this issue a lot! I cant help but think about the people that are still in Mexico! They are left to survive in towns with empty homes w/ people who are not entrepreneurs! We are leaving a class of less thans in Mexico and I am not sure this is ok. Anyone with building skills, business skills or solid work ethic generally heads north…Think about the effect on that.
I cant help but feel like we are guilty of cultural and economic theft as a nation! I think the US owes Mexico some of our best minds, and jobs because we have stollen so many resources. The church should be encouraging anyone with voting rights to move back to Mexico and be change. It isnt about racism it really is about justice!
Is the law in AZ wrong…I don’t know. I can’t vote in AZ, I have no say, so I have no opinion. Would I report someone… no.
Would I encourage Christians to move back if they have voting rights… YES! Its not about racism its about justice for the poor, and stealing the best is unjust to the rest.
You make some excellent points, Jon. Opportunities for ministry and a reminder of our citizenship are great Scriptural applications to a tough worldly situation.
It is often an overwhelming temptation to expand arguments beyond what is Scripturally justified in a paper, talk or blog. I’m guilty of the same, and I think most are at times. It takes tremendous mental discipline to stick with the points that can be rightly made.
I do not have a job that is endangered by illegal immigrants, but if I did, I might be legitimately and Biblically (I Tim 5:8) concerned that someone who does not have the legal right to be in this country could be taking my job. This is injustice as a result of our nation failing to enforce its own laws, and as a citizen in what was once a democratic republic I have the right and responsibility to try to correct this injustice.
Safety is also a legitimate and Biblical concern. I am responsible before God to protect my family from evildoers (although not from those who attack because of our faith). Again, having a large group of people who are not legally in this country, and a subset of those who commit further crimes against our citizens, is becomes an issue to confront. Romans 13 makes this concern a Biblical one.
Keep up the good work!
And, Michael, let us not also forget the end of Lev 19:19(ESV) which says “You shall not…wear a garment of cloth made of two kinds of material.”
So saith the word of the LORD.