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I decided to post a paper I did for school. It is a rather unusual paper, so I thought I would share it with you all, and get your comments, questions, and criticisms. The question it tries to address is "How should Christians represent Christ to Illegal Immigrants?" It is somewhat long, so don't try to tackle it unless you have time to read and reflect. Enjoy...

Representing Christ to Illegal Immigrants

As the United States has increased its focus on terrorism and border security, people all over the country have begun to recognize the problem of illegal immigration. With millions of illegal aliens already present within the United States there exists a substantial population which is unable to participate legally in the American economy and society.[1] The impact of this situation some Americans decry as undermining American values. For a nation founded on the rule of law, breaking the law in order to live in the country can be considered anathema to the principles and virtues which America upholds. On the other hand, some welcome any kind of immigrant into a nation born of immigrants. After all, why not legally accept what is already reality? Others ignore what does not directly affect them. But, indeed, illegal immigration is a problem which cannot and should not be ignored.

At the same time Christian responses to this national problem are few, relative to the scope of the problem, and varied. A unified Christian response is non-existent. The liberal trend within the church, held strongly by the Catholic Church, is to emphasize ministering to the immigrant, regardless of his legal status. Christians following a more conservative trend emphasize that the Bible commands believers to obey authority as long as it does not contradict God’s commands. Since there are no direct commands in Scripture concerning how to treat illegal immigrants, it must follow that Christians are required to support the civil law.

            When actually interacting with illegal immigrants Christians face difficult situations, and sometimes tough decisions, as employers, neighbors, and even fellow church members. How can Christians in these positions uphold the law and still provide for the poor and needy regardless of their legal status? How should Christians approach policy decisions toward illegal immigrants? Can Christians minister to illegal immigrants and still support the law and government deportation? This essay will attempt to answer these questions. Hopefully, as these difficult questions are tackled Christians will be able to respond more aptly to the difficult decisions and situations they face as employers, neighbors, ministers of the gospel, and brothers and sisters in Christ.

Since the Bible obviously does not address the problem of illegal immigration and the proper response of a nation or individual Christian to it, any biblical analysis must go beyond trying to find specific examples and passages to support an argument. A Biblical discussion of illegal immigration must identify appropriate principles and apply them to the situation.

The Principle of Authority

God has instituted authority for our benefit. Government authority is no different. Simply distaste for certain government actions or dislike of certain policies is no ground for disobedience. The Apostle Paul exhorts, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities.”[2] Paul does not give any room for leeway or argument. Every person should obey the authority of government. Why?  “For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.”[3] God is the ultimate authority. Those who hold authority in this world simply have what God has delegated to them. Paul explains what this means, “Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.”[4] Since God has ordained authority, those who disobey authority receive appropriate consequences. Rebellion against authority is in essence rebellion against the ultimate authority, God. The reaction of the average person to this should be an evaluation of their attitude toward the authorities in their life, in this specific case, government, and make sure that attitude is not rebellious, but respectful. Paul explains what this means practically, “Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.”[5] Regardless of how one disagrees with the government, it has still been endowed with authority from God. As such, governmental authority should be respected and obeyed.

Obviously, the requirement to obey authority prompts one to wonder if that is not simply blind obedience. The simple answer is absolutely not. The Apostles were ordered by their rightful and legal authorities not to preach Jesus’ name. They were ordered to cease upon pain of punishment, but they refused. When they continued to share the gospel of Jesus, they were arrested and brought before their judges, who asked, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!”[6] The Apostles were clearly disobeying their authorities, who had good reasons for their orders aside from their prejudices. They were attempting to keep the peace. Any popular cults and factions in the already hostile territory of Judea would threaten retribution from Rome, and the destruction would fall on all the Jews alike and “bring this Man’s blood on us.”  They were trying to preserve order. But the Apostles replied, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Since God is the highest authority our primary duty lies with him.

Any earthly authority which does not conform to God’s authority invalidates its authority in that area. When obedience to an authority requires disobedience to God and his principles, Christians have not only the right, but the responsibility to obey God first. This is seen even in levels of authority in government. In the United States, the laws of towns and cities come second to state law, which is subject to federal law. The supreme authority is the US Constitution. All other law in the United States must conform to the authority of the Constitution. In the same way all human law must conform to God’s Law. Obedience to authority is conditional upon ultimate obedience to God.

As Christians interact with illegal immigrants, it is important to remember that the government and its laws should be obeyed unless obedience to the law would require disobedience to God. Illegal immigrants have, by definition, broken the law and disobeyed legal authorities. Accordingly, lawbreaking should be punished and not condoned. The law also prohibits anyone from employing an illegal immigrant, a necessity for the immigrant’s livelihood. In many cases, the law even prohibits assisting and harboring illegal immigrants. However, the Christian should weigh these and the many other laws governing his relations with illegal immigrants against the principles of God’s Word. These principles should be examined before coming to a conclusion regarding illegal immigrants.

The Principle of Justice

 A common argument is that for the sake of justice the law should be enforced against illegal immigrants. Society tends to understand justice to be harsh because it punishes evildoing and criminality, but there is another side of justice: one that protects and provides relief. Those who are victims of crime and oppression cry out for justice, because they know that justice will bring them mercy from that oppression. The psalmist captures this idea of compassionate justice when he exhorts, “Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy; free them from the hand of the wicked.”[7] According to the psalmist, it is necessary to defend those who cannot defend themselves. When God condemns Israel through the Old Testament prophets, his complaint is that Israel pretends to worship and honor him while ignoring the plight of the poor for their own material interests. This callousness is a direct repudiation of God himself. Proverbs 14:31 says “he who oppresses the poor reproaches his maker, but he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.” Through the prophet Amos God pleads with Israel: “Take away from me the noise of your songs, for I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments, but let justice run down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”[8]

Interestingly, God actually equates justice with mercy and compassion, when he exclaims, “Execute true justice, show mercy and compassion everyone to his brother. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart against his brother.”[9] For those who are oppressed and in need justice is merciful. It comes as a help and a relief. Similarly, Christians should be that acting force behind justice. They should be a help and a relief to the oppressed and needy.

What then is justice for illegal immigrants? The Old Testament makes it clear that the idea of justice as simply enforcing the law against them is incomplete. While our concept of justice should include a proper enforcement of the law, it should also extend to recognizing the vulnerability of illegal immigrants. Many are oppressed and taken advantage of, and even day to day living is uncertain, since they are outside of the law and its protections. In fact, many laws are actually targeted against them. Thus for the many illegal immigrants who are unwanted and considered a burden, justice can also be merciful and relieve them from oppression.

The Principle of Charity

Not only should Christians provide justice to those in need, but they should show charity to them as well. This is not simply a new idea that applies to Christians in the New Testament, but God himself is an example of charity all throughout the Scriptures. In countless passages God is the helper and defender of those in need. He considers himself a refuge for the defenseless. Christians should exemplify their Lord by likewise providing aid to those in need. Traditionally, Christians have had no difficulty showing charity through the church. The principle of charity, though, is not just for the church, but it should be applied by each individual Christian. The desire to help the needy and defend the defenseless should motivate every Christian.

There are many ways charity can be displayed and to many different kinds of people. There is no excuse for failing in this Christian duty. The Bible even identifies four main categories of people who are characteristically needy and whom Christians can help. There are the poor, widows, orphans, and aliens. These groups are in circumstances which make them particularly vulnerable, often oppressed, and undoubtedly needy. Some of God’s first commands regarding charity in the Law of Moses were careful to protect the poor from needless oppression and to provide the means to keep them from destitution. The Law of Moses also directs, “You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.  You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry; and My wrath will become hot, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.”[10] God takes ill-treatment of these types of people very seriously, and so should every Christian.

James sharply rebukes those who think they can live the Christian faith without acts of charity. He says, “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”[11] Those who think they can have faith and live comfortably without acting out their faith with love toward those in need are severely mistaken. For Christians charity should follow faith, because charity is an act of faith.

Illegal immigrants are usually in need and thus candidates for Christian charity. Many times they fit more than one category of needy people. They are aliens, foreigners, they are usually poor, and they are sometimes abandoned, virtually or truly widowed or orphaned in the world. Who if not illegal aliens are in need of our help? To whom if not illegal immigrants should Christians show charity? Yet, their illegal status is a very real obstacle to Christian aid. For aid to an illegal immigrant is aiding a lawbreaker and in some cases a violation of law itself. So does their illegal status disqualify them from Christian charity? Since Christians should be representing Christ to everyone, including illegal immigrants, it would be beneficial to know how Christ would act toward someone in their situation.

What Would Jesus Do?

In order to represent Christ to illegal immigrants, a Christian must determine how Christ would act toward people in similar situations. But trying to determine this is not purely theorizing, for there are instances recorded in the gospels in which Jesus interacted with people in similar situations. These people were also lawbreakers and social outcasts.

Jesus had no problem associating with social outcasts. Zacchaeas, whom he publicly befriended, and Levi, one of his disciples, were hated tax collectors. Often he would eat with “sinners,” people from the lowest level of society known to engage in legally and morally suspect activities. On one of these occasions, a group of Pharisees challenged him about this practice. The response Jesus gave was simple: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’  For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”[12] Jesus not only answered their challenge, but challenged them in turn by pointing out that these people, whom they shunned, were the very ones they should be ministering to the most.

By quoting the Old Testament passage (Hosea 6:6) Jesus issued a sharp rebuke to his audience. Through the prophet Hosea, God was denouncing the Israelites for their hypocrisy and hardness of heart. While self-righteously performing acts of worship intended to please God, they had ignored the issues dearest to his heart— the needs of the helpless. Jesus accused the Pharisees of doing exactly the same thing; following the form of religion without any of its substance. Their shunning of the social outcasts was directly opposite to the mercy God intended for these people.

The Samaritans were some of the social outcasts shunned by the Jews. They were the Jews’ neighbors and kindred, but they were not fully Jewish due to interracial marriage. Thus they were considered by the Jews as reprobates who were outside of the Law of Moses. They were despised and barred from normal Jewish society. But Jesus tore down those hypocritical social barriers when he stopped to rest at Jacob’s well in a small Samaritan town. There he addressed a Samaritan woman, a social taboo. He reached her heart and met her spiritual needs.  He later explained to his disciples the importance of his actions, “to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.”[13] Jesus was demonstrating the heart of God.

As a favorite hymn portrays, Jesus became a friend to sinners, but while befriending sinners and lawbreakers, Jesus did not ignore their actions.  Though the Pharisees only knew how to judge, Jesus knew how to love the sinner while at the same time rejecting their sin. One example of this is his interaction with the woman caught in adultery. The Pharisees brought before Jesus an adulterous woman. Since adultery was a legal crime they expected him to condemn her to the allotted punishment of stoning. But he refused, saying “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”[14] After having pointed out their hypocrisy, he addressed the woman herself. “‘Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?’  She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.’”[15] Jesus did not condone the woman’s adultery by his refusal to join in her condemnation. He ministered to her first by showing mercy, then he addressed her sin.

Christians, like their Lord Jesus, should display the heart of God toward those in need whether they are social outcasts or not. In this country, some of those who are in the greatest need of Christian charity are illegal immigrants. Yet, Christians cannot demand that illegal aliens address their legal situation before they are worthy of God’s love. Following Christ’s example, Christians should minister to their spiritual and physical needs, and then encourage them, and aid them, to address their legal status. Providing this aid is not always popular, and if Christian charity ever violates the law, a Christian should put God’s principles first. Christians should respect the law if at all possible, but God’s commands are more important than human law. This perspective can bring consequences, which should be willingly accepted. Peter reminds us that “if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.”[16] Ministering to social outcasts or a legal underclass is a source of Christian joy. The social or legal status of a person does not disqualify him from the heart of God, nor should it prevent Christians from displaying God’s love toward them.

Entering the country illegally is lawbreaking and thus should not be condoned. Yet it is not an immoral act like that of the woman caught in adultery. If Jesus could show mercy to her, surely Christians can minister to illegal immigrants without condemning them. In fact, illegal immigrants are the very people to whom Christians should be ministering the most. They are poor, needy, and alone in a country in which they are unwelcome, and vulnerable to many forms of oppression. When Christians are commanded to provide justice to the afflicted and defend the helpless, to whom does this apply if not to illegal aliens? And as Christ’s example has shown, the fact that illegal immigrants have broken the law does not exempt Christians from this duty toward them. It is in this way, by displaying the heart of God, that Christians can best represent Christ to illegal immigrants.

Every day that goes by makes me realize even more how wonderful Amber is. She is God's greatest blessing to me. Every moment I spend with her stretches my mind to grasp the unfailing love she pours out on me. I cannot help but love her the best that I can. Amber, you truly are God's Grace to me!