What would Jesus say about illegal immigrants?

 

“My mother left Cuba to come to the United States by herself. 
She was an eight year old undocumented immigrant.” Bobby Cannavale

 

  Currently, there’s a bill before Congress on immigration called The Dignity Act that has bipartisan support. Will it finally take positive steps forward to solve our immigration, legal and illegal, problem? I hope so. Yet, it’s been nearly 40 years (1986) since Congress passed any reforms in our immigration laws, but the problem has only grown worse.
  Christians are first and foremost citizens of heaven. It’s wrong when Christ-followers mime the political position of their political party yet are ignorant of biblical truth. When we align our positions on ethical issues with politics rather than Scripture, it’s idolatry.
  What does the Bible teach? Christians are to be merciful toward immigrants. “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” (Leviticus 19:33-34). Jesus echoed that same truth in Matthew 25:35. As citizens of God’s Kingdom, Christians should seek to influence the nation that they’re earthly citizens of to have a compassionate immigration policy.
  So what should we do about illegal immigration? It’s very complex and no one has all of the answers, yet believers must have God’s Word as their resource for working through issues like these. Also, other than Native Americans, we’re all immigrants and must be committed to finding safe, reasonable ways for others to come to America, particularly those facing religious persecution or political oppression.
  While the political focus is on illegal immigration and our borders, I believe we should be first focused on those who are already here. God is not the God of fear. It’s morally wrong that we have those living among us who live in fear of being pulled over for a minor infraction because it might mean deportation. It’s estimated that there over 11 million illegal immigrants in the States. It’s twice the population of Wisconsin. Some 20% were brought in as children. For example, I have a friend brought to the States as a baby yet has worked for years here. My friend doesn’t have a birth certificate so has tremendous difficulty applying for citizenship.  
  Scripture has two virtues that help us develop a biblical worldview of illegal immigration: Justice and Mercy. The Bible teaches that God ordains government to secure justice for those under its jurisdiction, in part by making and enforcing laws, including immigration laws. The Bible repeatedly emphasizes that Christians must exhibit mercy. While government should enforce immigration laws, justice never justifies harshness. All immigrants are Imago Dei. It’s offensive to God to treat immigrants (legal or illegal) as subhuman. And who among us wouldn’t risk illegally immigrating to protect our children? Let me suggest some considerations to help us develop a biblical perspective.   
  There should be a means of deportation for criminals. It’s a known fact that Drug Cartels take advantage of our lax approach to illegal immigration to import illegal drugs. Illegal immigrants who break major laws like drug trafficking, sex trafficking or violent crimes or who have a criminal record for serious crimes in their nation of origin should be deported.
  There should be simple, multiple paths to legal status or citizenship. It shouldn’t cost thousands for an illegal currently living here to secure citizenship. Yes, they should have to work a certain amount of time once they’ve applied for citizenship and can’t remain if unwilling to work. Documentation like birth certificates should be simplified or even waived depending on circumstances. Birth certificates in the U.S. weren’t common until after World War II. Imagine what it’s like in 3^rd world countries? Dreamers are often victims in their documentation situation and shouldn’t be penalized for decisions made by others which they had no input in.
  There should be incentives for selected immigrants. Imagine how impoverished our country would be if Albert Einstein hadn’t been allowed to flee to America to escape the Nazis. Or Henry Kissinger, former Secretary of State under presidents Nixon and Ford. Kissinger’s Jewish family fled Germany in response to rising Nazism. Artists like Gloria Estefan are here because her parents fled Communist Cuba.
  We have a doctor and engineer shortage. Those who will benefit our country should be given incentives to come and become citizens.
  There should be a system in place, not amnesty for those who entered illegally. We should not simply grant amnesty to those who’ve broken the law. If undocumented immigrants wish to gain legal status, we should allow it, but it’s unjust to place them ahead of those already pursuing the progress legally. Undocumented immigrants should first undergo criminal background checks and pay some back taxes for previously undocumented income. Going to “the back of the line” doesn’t mean that they’d be deported, but they should only receive provisional documentation while waiting to either receive their green card or citizenship. And there should be a deadline to apply for legal status so undocumented immigrants will come forward in a timely manner.
  Alexis de Tocqueville believed America’s greatness was birthed by her moral goodness, especially the moral fiber of her people and government. If we want America to be great, we must do our part to help her be morally good. God has called us to a higher calling than partisan politics – we are to be salt and light for His glory. While there are no simple answers, as citizens of heaven we must encourage a commitment to justice and mercy. 

Can we help you spiritually? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

Mercy: You need it and need to share it!

“Those who are furthest from giving mercy are furthest from

receiving it.” John MacArthur

 

  In the early days of his presidency, Calvin Coolidge woke up one morning in his hotel room to find a burglar going through his pockets. President Coolidge spoke up, asking the burglar not to take his watch chain because it contained an engraved charm he wanted to keep. The President then engaged the thief in quiet conversation and discovered that he was a college student who didn’t have money to pay his hotel bill or even buy a ticket back to campus. So President Coolidge counted $32 out of his wallet, which he’d also persuaded the dazed young man to give back, told him it was a loan, and advised the young man to leave the same way he’d come in so as to avoid the Secret Service! And yes, the young man did pay the loan back. That was mercy.

  Mercy is compassion, kindly forbearance shown toward an offender or an enemy. It’s graciousness, pity, or benevolence. It’s a very biblical trait…it characterizes God. Sadly, ours is a merciless world. Mercy is rarely found apart from the Christ’s Church because our God is a God of great mercy.

  If you’re a Christian, you’ve been shown great mercy. We are to give mercy just as it has been given to us and we’ll never give as much as was given to us. Jesus promised, too, there’s a blessing for the merciful, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” This means the unmerciful miss out on God’s blessings. How can I be a person of mercy?

  Be kind with the quirks of others. We all have them. God is not in the mass production business. Our quirks are part of what make us unique. I’m not talking about sin but unique mannerisms. A pagan, heartless world humiliates those who are different, yet quirks are what often distinguish us. Sometimes we call them idiosyncrasies or peculiarities. They can be odd behavior, even irritating habits. God wants us to demonstrate mercy so we don’t become impatient, irritated or uptight with someone else’s quirks.

  For example, some people put ketchup on nearly everything they eat. Big deal! My wife loves for things to be organized. Me, well…I file chronologically. A great marriage is a union of two great forgivers. As you consistently show forgiveness to your children and teach them to show it to each other, you’re modeling your Heavenly Father because the very first place we must learn to show mercy is at home. Why? Because it’s there we see each other’s faults and quirks far more clearly than anywhere else.

  Help anyone who’s hurting around you. We’re surrounded by hurting people. Unfortunately, we’re too busy to notice. If you care you’re aware. God designed our eyes to look outward not inward for a reason. Jesus taught the story of the Good Samaritan to teach us to help the hurting around us. Our neighbor is whoever hurts, regardless of how different they are from us. You must be merciful to love your neighbor as yourself.  

  Give others a second, third…or fourth chance. I’m often embarrassed when I come to God because I’m confessing the same sin over and over again. But He always forgives me (1 John 1:9). We’re to do the same for others. When a lost person is wronged, they respond with harsh words, anger…bitterness. Watch Facebook during some media controversy. Watch how merciless people react to each other. That can’t be those who know the God of great mercy! We’re to be known as the people of mercy.

  Do good to those who hurt you. Mercy is giving people what they need, not what they deserve. It’s what God does for us. Yet, wounded people often wound others. Jesus modeled for us that those who you want to despise are those you must love and who need it the most. The most hurtful people are those who need massive doses of love and mercy.

  Be kind to those who offend you. The attacks on Christians will increase. Believers represent God’s holiness to a devolving world. We must hold on to God’s truth. How should we respond when we’re attacked? We must be kind to those who are hateful (Romans 12:14-21). We’re in the midst of a culture war. Wars come with tragic costs. We must decide whether we want to win arguments or people to Christ. You never win people by being caustic, harsh or mean. Just begin by praying for those who offend you.

  Be a bridge builder of God’s love, especially to the unpopular. Every school, neighborhood and workplace has some. We all have those around us that others dodge, usually ridiculing behind their backs. They may have quirks, lack basic life-skills, have a different lifestyle or belief system. They may have a different religion or dress differently because of their culture. They’re not part of the “in crowd.” Essentially, they’re outcasts. And reaching out to them may even bring ridicule upon yourself.

  God has called us to be the mediators of His love. Why? Because you’ll never win your enemies to Christ; you can only win your friends.  If you live a life of mercy you’ll be criticized, sometimes even by other Christians. Jesus wasn’t afraid of guilt by association – He knew exactly who He was and His mission: to seek and to save that which is lost. 

  Relationships are more important than rules. I’m not just talking about written rules but also unwritten ones. Determine to commit an act of premeditated kindness this week. Who can you reach out to, invite out for coffee or lunch…or to your home for a meal? Read the Gospels and mark down every time Jesus touched the life of someone that according to the “rules,” He shouldn’t have. His disciples were the odd bunch, held together by His love. That’s what He wants to do with us and our church. He wants us to be a community of mercy. Choose to be merciful! Start now! 

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.