Immigration is a huge issue right now.
One group wants all illegal immigrants to return to wherever they came from. Another side says, “No, we’re a nation of immigrants; let them stay.” Some from both groups want the government to secure the borders, and then figure out what to do with those who are in the United States illegally. Many from each group wonder about what millions of new immigrants will do our economy, our schools, our hospitals, and our welfare system.
All sides of the debate seem to have “God” on their sides, and all have their favorite Bible verses to quote.
This is one of those times that I wish Jesus was still around so that we could post the question to Him.
Of course, even if we did ask Jesus, I wonder if we would get a “helpful” answer. Jesus always had a way of sidestepping the big debate points, and focusing instead on what was really at stake.
Jesus would probably do the same with immigration reform and amnesty. Jesus would come up with an approach that looks like Him. That is, a way that somehow both abides by the law and provides jobs and care to those who need it.
So as I try to figure out what my stance on immigration and amnesty should be, I find myself trying to find an approach that looks the most like Jesus. Below is my attempt (please provide your OWN input in the comment section below).
Jesus and the Constitution
Jesus probably wouldn’t care too much about issues related to the constitutionality of amnesty for immigrants.
Frankly, according to the constitution, Obama had no legal right to do what he did. Everybody know this, as he himself has previously stated.
But Jesus likely wouldn’t comment on this. Remember, Jesus lived in an era when two Caesars in a row had effectively “wiped their arses” with the Roman constitution by removing all power from the Roman Senate and consolidating that power in themselves. The first was Julius Caesar and the second was Caesar Augustus.
It appears that Jesus pretty much just shrugged His shoulders and lived within the new order that had resulted from this fundamental transformation of the Roman Empire. I suspect He would do the same today were He an American citizen living under the reign of a “Constitutional Scholar” who ignores much of the Constitution.
You can probably see where my feelings lie, but we’ll put that aside…
What about the issue of money and the economy? What will happen if we add 5 million new workers to the system?
Jesus and the Economy
Again, one side of the debate says it will be good to have 5 million new tax-paying people. Right now they are working and not getting taxed. If we add them, then we can tax them. The other side of the debate says, “Tax them!? They won’t be taxed. Most of these immigrants have low-wage jobs. They won’t be making enough to get taxed. Therefore, instead of paying into the system, they will drain it. They will get the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit, Social Security benefits, Medicare, and Welfare.”
If Jesus were asked, He would probably say something like “Give to Obama what is Obama’s and give to God what is God’s.” People would shake their heads and say, “Whatever that means…”
The point is that Jesus would probably not weigh in on the tax benefits or tax liability of granting amnesty to immigrants. Jesus’ basic approach to taxes seemed to be this: “It’s just money. What matters most is what you do with your life.”
He likely would not have cared too much that adding millions of low-payed workers to the citizenry would do very little to add tax revenue to the governmental coffers while at the same time, adding great expense and cost to the education, health, medicaid, medicare, social security, and welfare systems.
He would likely point out that these were all bankrupt anyway, and we shouldn’t put our trust in government programs.
Maybe He would wonder why new immigrants were only getting low-paying jobs. But when the “Raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour!” crowd starts cheering, Jesus would not side with them either, pointing out that requiring businesses to pay their workers more only puts more workers out of work.
Probably, Jesus would call on business owners and CEO’s of companies to become more generous with their money, for you cannot legislate generosity.
But the real question then comes back around to immigration reform…
Jesus and Immigration Reform
What would Jesus do about immigration reform?
I suspect that if asked, Jesus would bring out an family of illegal immigrants and say, “I forgive you.”
The liberals in the crowd would huff and puff and say, “He forgives them? What audacity! They haven’t done anything wrong! They are only here because they want a better life and our country has abused and misused them for far too long! Forgive them indeed! They should be forgiving us!”
The conservatives in the crowd would also be indignant. “Forgive them? You can’t forgive them. You have no right to forgive them. They have broken federal laws, which cannot be simply forgiven by some religious teacher. We can either enforce the laws or change the laws, but we cannot simply forgive people who break the laws!”
Then Jesus would turn and say to those on the left, “I have not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. You believe they have a right to be here, to get jobs, and to feed their families. That is well and good. So you give them something to eat. You provide for their needs. Do not force others to take care of their needs; you take care of them yourself.”
And just as those on the right were starting to smile smugly to themselves, Jesus would turn to them and simply say, “Let him who is without sin take this family back across the border.” Then Jesus would pull out his iPad and start scrolling through Facebook messages and Twitter feeds of those who were standing by. He would load up items they had purchased on Amazon, and webpages they had visited. One by one, the conservatives in the crowd would melt away until none were left. Then Jesus would turn to the family of immigrants who stood nearby and say to them, “Are there none here to escort you back across the border? Then neither will I escort you. Go and live according to the law.”
What’s the point?
The point is this: Immigrants are already here. It is neither wise nor possible to round up all illegal immigrants and send them back across the border.
The liberals are right that these immigrants should be taken care of. But they are wrong in trying to force all people to take care of them. Jesus affirms their feelings about immigrants, but tells them to practice it themselves rather than force their feelings on everyone else.
The conservatives are right that the immigrants have broken the law. By the letter of the law, they should be rounded up and deported. But they are wrong in thinking that the law trumps love. It doesn’t. Jesus affirms their feelings about the necessity of obeying the law, but puts the law of love above the law of of man.
Jesus wouldn’t even speak about the constitution or the economy. These things change and shift all the time. But the love of God is eternal. Money comes and goes, as do rules, laws, and governments. But the love of God is eternal.
This is why Jesus would focus on love.
What to Focus on with Immigration and Amnesty
Will amnesty hurt our economy? Maybe. Maybe not.
Will amnesty cause unemployment to rise? Maybe. Maybe not.
Will amnesty create millions of new Democratic voters? Maybe. Maybe not.
Jesus does not ever address these sorts of issues, because Jesus doesn’t care about hypothetical “what ifs” about the future.
Jesus always and only cares about one thing: the person in need who is standing right in front of him.
However you feel about immigration reform and amnesty, Jesus invites you to do one thing: Keep your eyes open for immigrants in your community, and then look for ways to love them. Whether the government decides to legalize them or deport them, your only responsibility is love.
Immigrants arriving on our shores (whether legally or not) don’t need screaming crowds and waving signs (from either perspective). They need love, just like the rest of us. This is how immigration reform and amnesty look like Jesus.
Agree? Disagree? Have something to add? Let’s hear it in the comments below!
Good post. I have thought a lot about immigration for a number of reasons (which I won’t go in to here). From a “practical” view, here’s what I think needs to happen:
(1) If the government wants to stop the flow of “illegal immigrants,” [I’ll refer to them as immigrants here-on-out for simplicity] they must secure the border. Short of that, the problem will always exist. But that’s a government action; there is nothing I can do (one way or the other) about that.
(2) Recognize the humanity of the immigrants. They are fleeing INTO our country because (for most) they recognize that the potential exists here for a better life for them and their families. We don’t see a flood of Canadians flocking into the U.S. It’s not because Canadians are more law-abiding; it is because they do not see the improved life coming south that those coming north see. I find it fascinating that we applaud Cubans escaping; and back in the day, those who crossed the iron curtain and Berlin wall (“illegally!!”), yet we (too many, anyway) criticize those who try to improve their lives by coming north.
(3) Give thanks that we live in a country people try to flee TO instead of flee FROM
(4) Recognize that because of inaction by all parties for years, we have an internal problem of our own making. Kids who came across with their parents are now kids without a home – not citizens of the US; but neither do they have a home across the border should we deport them. Kids born as citizens in the US with parents who are not. It’s not as simple as, “this guy crossed the border, send him back.”
(5) Wholesale immigration reform (not an executive order that oversimplifies the problem and ignores our own laws). Somehow, we need to simplify the laws (it is slow, expensive and [I’ve been told by some in the system] humiliating at times to go thru the process we now have). And somehow work out the details so that those trying to do it legally are not bypassed “in line” by those who are here without going thru the process.
(6) Quit characterizing the immigrants as thugs and criminals (granted, some percentage are, but nothing in immigration law will change their intentions to get in). Quit characterizing the problem as a blight on our economy (an unbiased economic analysis would be helpful, methinks). The problems and issues are real, but let’s not fan the flames (from either side) with rhetoric, and especially with unsubstantiated claims.
(7) Individually as Christians, love those we meet, remembering their humanity, they are real people with real lives and real needs who (sadly) are living in anger (many of the young people) and/or fear. As you said, our responsibility is love. And I know first-hand the power that love has on these immigrants!
Not that I have any opinions about the issue 🙂
Those are all really good points. There is so much more to this issue than what is reported on the news or by the various politicians.
That may be one of the worst things about this, is that some politicians from both sides are trying to use these people for their own political gain.
Immigration is a thorny issue, but doing nothing about the problem is actually an informal policy.
Living near the border we notice how much the economy, especially our local economy, depends on the immigrants. Some are legal. Some are not. But many of them work in low-paying jobs that few other people want. Digging ditches, clearing brush, general yard work and housework types of jobs, entry level restaurant and motel jobs as well as many other low-paying jobs are filled by immigrants. We know several who have to work more than one job to feed and house their families. I often wonder what would happen to our local economy if all of these people were deported.
Our CPA friend tells us that many of the illegals with jobs pay into certain systems that will not pay them benefits because they are illegals. If I remember correctly, he mentioned Social Security, unemployment, Medicare and others. He said the money withdrawn from their paychecks by their employers and sent to the government helps prop up those systems, systems from which they receive no benefits.
Would Jesus not ask those of us who follow him to treat all we meet with love, honor and respect? Was that not how he treated people? The only people I remember him challenging were the religious authorities, those who presumed to speak for God and at the same time placed heavy loads upon the backs of the people. Religion does have a habit of doing that.
I recently heard someone say that religion is controlled violence. I think that describes it well, though I might add “in the name of God” to the definition.
Yes, immigration is a thorny issue, and it is unwise to take a stance on it unless we personally know some immigrants who will be affected by any decisions (one way or the other) that comes down from the government.
“Would Jesus agree with Obama on immigration reform?” No. Because he’s not reforming immigration. By his own admission he’s usurping authority, though in a legally confusing way. This is not a simple issue that is solved by playing both sides of the fence (pun unintended). The border problem in the south is a very real problem. People are, quite literally, getting killed. Sure, there are families who are trying to re-unite, but the free-for-all down there is making it like a war zone.
And while Jesus may say “I forgive you”, he would follow that saying “now discontinue sinning”. This is not without precedent. Where does that leave the illegal immigrant now? Consistency would demand that they follow the law at that point. Would Jesus actually forgive the illegal immigrant or would he say “this isn’t my law”? I don’t know. I’m not going to put words in his mouth.
I am a Conservative, legal immigrant, living in the southwest (incidentally, getting my citizenship tomorrow) and there are two things that that burn me on this.
1) Getting in to this country legally is stupid easy. There are two items that immigrants from the south need to do a) prove that they can support themselves (we legal immigrants needed to do this), and b) wait while USCIS processes their application. If you can do those two things you are pretty much golden.
2) Those on the right are cast (as they are in this article) as being more concerned about the law than love/peace/blah blah blah. If this, or any other, administration said “I want a law that allows amnesty AND in return I will (*actually* attempt to) control the border” we would have bi-partisan support that day. But nobody believes that the government is actually serious about it. And in the mean time we have very serious, very real problems that are tied directly to illegal immigration. It has nothing to do with not loving the illegal immigrant.
And then there is this ridiculous notion that Conservative somehow equals Pharisee. The rules about who to love and favor are MUCH more stringent on the left than they are on the right, as are the rules about what you are supposed to believe. If anything, I would argue that it is actually the left that fits the mold of Pharisee more accurately. Try being a right-winger in a left-wing organization. My employer recently asked me to take a survey on my views of gender diversity, to which I just started laughing. There is no way that I am going to put that on record no matter how benign my views might be because I have seen what the left likes to do to dissenters. Hint, it isn’t to forgive them.
If Christians really want to be involved in the immigration debate asking what would Jesus do is the wrong way. Borders are there for a reason AND they are God-ordained. At least they were in the past. Borders are NOT a bad thing. Neither is enforcing them. Are we supposed to love immigrants and care for their needs? NO! We are supposed to do that for everyone! Enforcing the law is not a demonstration of non-love! Nor is forgiveness of illegal activity a demonstration of love. In my opinion, these kinds of stark demarcations end up clouding the multiple issues instead of focusing them.
Well said.
You make really good points on this, especially as an immigrant who came here legally. Oh, and Welcome! I am glad you are here.
I am on the conservative side of things too, and resonate with much of what you say. I completely agree that if the president talked about amnesty WITH border security, there would be almost immediate bi-partisan support.
1. Jesus was interested in one and ONLY one immigration policy – “Unless you have been conceived from above you cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”
2. We need to get off the WWJD thing when it comes to politics. When God gave Torah he gave a unique document that was both to be put into the heart AND to be the Constitution of the physical nation of Israel. Thus, we HAVE God’s perspective on immigration for ISRAEL when God was King of Israel (which lasted until Saul). Torah governs the physical nation of Israel, not the United States. What principles are there can be looked at as potential consideration for the USA.
The only way to have become a citizen of Israel was through physical birth.
The only way to become a citizen in the ekklesia that Jesus is building is through the Holy Spirit (Mt 28).
satan offered Jesus a political solution which Jesus rejected in favor of the cross.
In my view, once you start going down the WWJD Road, you’re now on the same road used by both Latin American and Black Liberation Theology which takes Jesus out of context to justify som which in the United States is supported by progressive liberals.
Do you know that the statements “Jesus is Lord” and “Jesus is Savior” were political statements in the New Testament world? The true fiction is the separation of church and state and that following Jesus in this world is not political. Following Jesus IS political, because He will lead us to stand up to the powers that be.
And by the way, I am not saying that we should ask “What would Jesus do?” I am inviting us to ask, “What would Jesus have us do?” The two questions are very different.
As for the Torah, we are not Israel. The Torah was never intended to be a constitutional document by which all nations on earth would be governed. Are you saying that the USA should adopt the Torah as our constitution?
Yes I do. When Yahweh was translated into the Greek Septuagint the closest word was kurios. So Yeshua is kurios clearly conflicts politically with Caesar is kurios. However, I think you miss my point. Jesus’ only “immigration” was seeing people transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. In light of your question, I don’t think Jesus would comment at all about what Obama is trying to do with immigration. To engage in that kind of discussion is to retask Jesus purpose and mission.
If you want principles to guide us about how Christians should look at immigration, then the OT is the place to look because there we have God’s direct thoughts and principles on the matter.
Beyond that the only directly political statement from Jesus is about paying taxes – render unto caesar. If we apply what Jesus said to this situation then we are compelled to see that laws are already on the books to be followed. But they are not being followed at the direct behest of the Commander in Chief.
This whole situation is nothing but a political power grab.
Is that really so hard to see?
Peter,
You are right. Jesus probably would not comment on Obama’s immigration decisions. He would, however, teach his disciples how to love and care for those immigrants (either legal or illegal) who they encountered on a daily basis. That is the real purpose of this post.
The politics of this immigration issue get in the way of us showing love to these people in our communities.
What an insightful article, no matter what people think about who is cast in what role.
Interestingly, we had one aspect of your hypothetical answer here when our immigration department set up a community pilot program to trial the concept of advocating organisations sponsoring refugees to come here and the support them for a few years. In other words, to put their money where their mouth is, as you suggested.
One report says the places filled up in no time (it was a limited pilot program to see how the idea works), but that’s as much reporting as we’ve had.
Hm. Interesting. Please provide more details if they emerge. And some links, if possible?
I haven’t seen any progress reports or outcomes, but it wasn’t introduced with fanfare, so maybe they’re playing it quietly. That’s unusual for such a politicised department, but there you go.
There’s more at:
https://www.immi.gov.au/visas/humanitarian/offshore/community-proposal-pilot.htm
Good points all. Imagining God in this debate is a little much for me. I find most of the issues like this man made little islands of hell. When I was young we had a system of immigration-NOT illegal that allowed for people to work their way here and pass tests and become assimilated. No country in the world that wants to stay a country maintains open borders. A country without a real border is not a country. Giving love of course. As I read the Bible I notice God’s relative disinterest in these types of things and of course He wants an eternal perspective. I think what God wants us to do is use our minds that He gave us and study the issues and make wise choices. Of course being led by the Spirit is primary. The thing for me that’s so maddening about this is that the BORDER being secured and Legal immigration process being sped up and streamlined isn’t done. It could easily be done. The idea that fences don’t work is laughable as a fence exists outside the White House and in Israel and for years In Berlin in a negative but effective way. Borders and boundaries are essential for all human relationships be it internal or external. Its disingenuous to state you love these people and then ignore the major economic stress it will put on your social services. It reminds me a little of the pastor who says give your $ and you will be blessed- Oh I know you owe that rent and need food and clothes- but give to the church and you will be blessed- all this while there is a verse that says a man who doesn’t care for his own household is worse than an unbeliever. The US did not become a great power without immigrants but it also did not become a great power without responsible utilization of its resources. Reminds me of the fact NOBODY likes to talk about because we have become so masochistic with ourselves – that the USA gives more in charity than all the countries of the world combined. So I say use our brains, pray and have some good old common sense which God gave us.http://www.aei.org/publication/a-nation-of-givers/
man-made islands of hell indeed! Ha!
I completely agree with you about the borders and the fences. And maybe we do need immigration reform, but let’s do it lawfully!
Is it really love to allow all those people to stay after having broken in here unlawfully? I think they will be condemned in their hearts, and guilt ridden until they do the immigration thing properly. And they will pass this curse down to their children. When you break one law, it leads to breaking others! Sin leads to more sin! Love helps people do what is right for the right reasons! And the right reason for doing what is right is because you love your heavenly Father, and your Savior more than lying, and stealing, or anything else!
On the other side of this we need more people here than are being born here to sustain our country. But all the persons that are going through the proper channels to immigrate are being robbed by these illegals when they push their way in illegally ahead of the whole bunch, and by our government when they declare it all ok! So declaring amnesty, and forgiving illegal entry in the name of love is really, in my thinking, just co dependence with sin! God only forgives sin when it is repented of, turned away from, and forgiveness is asked for on the basis of what His wonderful Son Yahshua has done on our behalf! Persons that have no desire to turn away from their wrongdoings are not in line for forgiveness with God! And making demands of Him to do so will fall on deaf ears! Why should we be any different? God is love, and we should act like Him! If they had godly repentance, they would acknowledge that they should go back, and do it properly. Only if they had this true repentance would I want to forgive, for their sakes. I mean, our Father corrects, and disciplines us until we repent, so that we will get to a place of freedom, and true peace. He does not just exonerate us, and so become co dependent with sin in the name of “love”. If He were to bless us in ongoing, willful sin He would be promoting sin in the earth! I think that a lot of things that are done in the name of love are really just promoting sin, and scattering instead of gathering with God.
Good questions. Would it be loving to send them back?
As for generational curses, the Bible speaks both ways about this, so we need to be careful to say what will lead to such thing.
Immigration is such a thorny issue!
It would be loving toward the honest, upright persons that are patiently waiting their turn, and trying to come through the proper channels to send the lawbreakers that cut in front of them back home. I am not sure what you mean about working both ways, but a lifestyle of deceit, lying, stealing, covering up is a curse in itself, and is passed on to the 3rd, and 4th generations in a family tree. These people probably think that they got over by stealing their way in here, but they are paying an awful price for their sins. These sins lead to others, and it is a horrible downward spiral of guilt, shame, and further degradation, and destruction! I think that they would be better off in the end if they were sent back. Then the ones that really want to come here can pursue that goal through legal means, and if, and when obtained, they will have a clear conscience about being here. A clear conscience is much more valuable than any stolen thing! And Mr. Obama’s illegal, and treasonous amnesty proclamation is not going to take care of these people’s spiritual issues pertaining to this! In fact, he is just encouraging more people to break in here illegally by rewarding these lawbreakers, and demeaning the value of what it means to be an American!
Yes, it may be illegal and unconstitutional, and a slap in the face to those who have been trying to gain citizenship legally, but the question now is how are we, as Christians, going to help those who are just been given amnesty? Should we shun them as lawbreakers, or love them so that they don’t pass on this “generational curse” you speak of.
Interesting. So much has been said, and yet I think much more can be said. First and formost Christians need to love all people they come across. Helping people to continue in their illegality is not necessarily loving them. I currently know of someone living in my community (not sure exactly where) who is wanted for exposing himself to a minor in another state. There is a possibility we may cross paths someday. Should I ignore that fact and allow him to continue in this community without facing justice? Is that love? Love for him? Love for children in my community? Or would it be loving to to turn him in so he can get help? Sometimes showing love isn’t all hugs and kisses.
What would Jesus do? We will never know in this hypothetical exercise. What do we know? God is love, and wants us to love others the way we love ourselves… AND God is a God of justice and law.
America is now $18,000,000,000,000 that’s trillion dollars in debt. We are robbing future citizens to pay for present citizens, and non-citizens. We cannot afford the additional burden on our already failing social services net. Is it just, responsible, or loving to collapse the system so far more people will suffer? There are millions of people in this country who want to work, who have been taken off the government propaganda rolls. The work participation rate in this country is at the level of the 1970’s. Is it Christlike to flood the workplace with newly legalized low skilled workers thus suppressing wages for those who are getting paid the least as it is? It is a false argument to say that Americans won’t do certain jobs thus we have to have illegals to fill the gap. If they illegals were not available corporations, and small business would have to raise wages to attract workers. The illegals work under suppressed wages because they are illegal. Many suffer in work camps as virtual slaves having to buy from the company store at inflated prices thus never being able to leave. Is that Christlike?
Can we fix this problem? Doubtful. Democrats view illegals as new voters. Republicans get donations from big business and the chamber of commerce and want to continue the flow of money. Both parties leadership want this…
What could we do?
1) We don’t need a comprehensive bill this is just a way of political parties hiding their motives behind a flurry of paper. Each aspect of this issue must be dealt with in a transparent manner.
2) Change the law on anchor babies.
3) Go after businesses large and small and give them stiff fines on first offense, and shut them down with further abuse. This will cause either self deportation, or illegals getting into line to be legalized.
4) Seal the border. The open border draws illegals looking for the good life. But unfortunately many people are being murdered, and women and children are being raped and sold into sexual slavery. Is it Christlike to to allow these poor people to be abused in this way? Or would it be more Christlike to make them emigrate legally, and safely?
In my opinion America is experiencing judgement from God. Our nation will continue to slide until we repent. Illegal immigration, and a President who doesn’t respect the rule of law are just symptoms of a nation that has rejected God.
I like your proposals. I doubt any of them will happen. Though I vote and still try to follow politics, I see the United States following the same path as Rome, which means that a downfall is in our near future…
How then should we live in the meantime? This is a question I struggle with almost daily.
As I read the old testament prophets, more specifically your and my son’s namesake Jeremiah, I see our future. Jeremiah confronted the political, and religious leadership, as well as the common man, and they ignored him, persecuted him, thew him in jail, all because he told them God’s judgement was coming. The people preferred the prophets who spoke of a bright future. The rule of law was gone, hearts had grown cold, everyone was doing what was right in their own eyes.
How do we live? Like many of the prophets who became discouraged in the face of a nation with the above attributes. It will be increasingly difficult as America begins to suffer economic judgement, when the government can no longer maintain the services that so many need currently. I plan to love others, trust in God to water the seeds, and be a man who takes care of his family as scripture challenges us to do.
The problem with WWDJ is this: it’s not biblical. Jesus never taught we were to ask that question although it’s certainly a very spiritual sounding question. What we do have, that no one else has, is the Holy Spirit living inside us who lead us into all truth.
So which is better: pondering what would Jesus do or asking the Holy Spirit, who has the answer, as to what to do?
Peter,
I am not proposing that we ask “WWJD?” I am inviting us to ask “What would Jesus have us do?” which is exactly what you state…
Jeremy, I guess you did not want a response to the response that you gave to my response, since there is no “reply” button available, but here goes anyway:
We love everyone all the time, first of all, so it is not a choice we have to make! And we don’t shun lawbreakers, unless you would call the instruction to treat lawbreaking persons that claim to be Christians as unbelievers shunning them. We are gracious toward all persons! We help them the same way that we help anyone! We tell them the truth in love in the hopes that they will receive it into their hearts, and walk in it! And the generational curses are dealt with through recognizing them as participation with sin, taking responsibility for that participation, repentance, making things right with those wronged wherever possible, and casting them out, if need be, all through faith in Yahshua. God’s determination to love them alone will not release them! They have to receive this love in order to be set free. People that have historically lied, and cheated, and stolen whatever they can to get whatever they want have some hurdles to overcome, and in this case it is a whole nationality of people caught in this trap, where they have worked together in a criminal conspiracy! This is manipulation, witchcraft, and every kind of evil thing that needs dealing with. God, and His people will be there for any person that wants to take this on, and deal with it! But will our Savior find anyone in faith, receiving that help when He returns? Or will they just push on through, and keep on snatchin’, and grabbin’ until He comes back?
When we look to the OT for immigration principles we see principles from God directly that are not politicized. And as Christians, of course we’re to agape love folks! No questions there.
The problem isn’t the immigrants, it’s the politicization we’re confronting the purpose of which is to give one American political party a strategic governance position while ignoring the reports from US Border agents as to who is coming over the border.
This is what Christians must address, and I say this as someone who is married to a Brit and what we experienced going through the process.
Yes, those in power often politicize the needs of people. As Christians, we are to treat people as people, regardless of the politics.
Jeremy. Here’s what I find problematic in the above. Your statement that Jesus would say that raising the minimum wage would cost jobs. First because it contradicts your subsequent statement he wouldn’t focus on the economics. Second because it far from clear that it’s true. There’s a bunch of studies and meta studies that point in different directions, suggesting the overall effect is broadly neutral.
How is that possible? First because it’s average wages that impact the general level of employment. If employers respond to a higher minimum by holding down wages of better paid workers no impact results. One might have some reduction in minimum wage employment, and more better paid jobs, perhaps causing some transitional unemployment if those on the minimum need upskilling (though in fact many are grossly overqualified) but even this doesn’t occur that often. The reason is that minimum wage workers tend to spend at minimum wage paying outlets, so an increase in the minimum need not reduce, and sometimes increases minimum wage employment. Even the neoliberal Economist magazine opined just last year that an increase in the US minimum would probably have little or no effect on employment. Thats before considering the positive effect on public finances due to reduced welfare claimancy and so on. Perhaps a $15 dollar minimum would be a step too far but if Jesus opined on the question I’d be very surprised.
Yes, I doubt Jesus would say much about it either. My point, however, was that Jesus would not call for laws one way or another, but would call for business owners to take the initiative by being generous with their workers.
I love that Obama quoted the scripture conserning being kind to Aliens and Strangers from the Old Testiment. I agree with both sides of the issue of US immigration. I am African American and as a result I see America as a country founded on stolen land from the Mexicans and Native Americans. We also kidnapped many from Africa to work as slaves for life.
Thus who can claim to truly own the right to be an American and deny others from comming from oppression in other lands.
I don’t want open immigtration but the gospel might be spread better in America by allowing more people in America. It is sad that the Democrats and Republicans have refused to come up with a system that rewards those who try to come here leagally. Underground economies aided by illegal immigrants hurt immigrants and ever try taxpayer.
Thank you for the article our US immigration system is quite unfair to all sides.
Thanks for your wise input. I think one thing missing today by people on all political sides is the ability and willingness to sit down with each other and have long conversations about deep issues. Instead, we focus on talking points, one-line zingers that can be Tweeted, and scoring political points to increase donations.
Anyway, I wish more people could sit down and talk these things through. Thanks for being part of the conversation here!