A Unique View of Illegal Immigration

The point of this posting isn't political. Illegal immigration is a hot topic across the United States. My intent isn't to persuade you into taking sides for or against illegal immigration. I hope to present another view, possibly a view which Christians should take on illegal immigration. What does the Bible say?

"Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt (Exo. 22:21 KJV)."

God is telling the children of Israel they shouldn't mistreat or oppress strangers because they were once strangers in Egypt. Let's examine another verse.

"But the stranger that dwelleth among you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God (Lev. 19:34 KJV)."

Notice the language of this verse is stronger than in Exodus 22:21. God is telling the children of Israel the stranger is to be treated as one born among them, a citizen. God is telling the children of Israel they are to love the stranger as they would love themselves.

The word stranger used in both verses is the same. It means a foreigner or an alien. The label illegal immigrant could apply here also. If God required the ancient Israelites to treat immigrants as on born among them, should the modern Christian not do the same? If God required the ancient Israelites to love the immigrants as themselves, should not modern Christians do the same?

Am I advocating immunity to illegal immigrants? No. I'm advocating telling them the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They're here, illegally or not. They need Christ as much as any naturalized citizen of the USA.

When the illegal immigrant becomes born again in Jesus Christ, they become bound to either obey Christ or reject Christ. They become bound to obey the Word of God. What Word applies to this situation?

"Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake...(1Pe. 2:13 KJV)."

The ordinances of man give immigrants to the USA the opportunity to become legal immigrants. Those illegal immigrants who've become born-again Christians have a duty to obey the Word of God. They should work to become legal if they wish to remain in the USA.

The Church, the body of Christ, has been given the opportunity to reach illegal immigrants with the Gospel. Instead of becoming entangled in the political debate, why don't we, the Church, begin reaching out in sincerity and in truth to these people. They need Jesus every bit as much as us "naturalized" Christians do. God bless...