Today I want to look at the subject of immigration and border security. I want to look at it from God’s point of view. What would He do? What kind of border policy would Jesus have?
I am dealing with this subject because I see it being discussed on the Internet. The question is, what should be the Christian response to this issue? Should we open our borders and let all of these “needy people” come in without proper screening? This is certainly the point of view among Democrats.
We need to realize that most Democrats seem to base their decisions on emotions and feelings. They always want to make others pay for the poor and unfortunate, but give very little to charity themselves. They like big government, and they like spending other people’s money.
The other option is to control who comes into our country. In today’s world, this is the only safe alternative.
If you promote an open borders policy, I suggest that you stop locking the doors in your house and let it be known that your doors are not locked. How do you think that would work? How long would you have what you have, and would you and your family be safe from evildoers?
Most of those who want open borders would not be crazy enough to do this, but that is how they want us to run our country. They are more than willing to spend other people’s money through higher taxes to take care of these people.
The Danger to Our Country
There is ample evidence that terrorists have come across our southern border in the past. There are people from the Middle East in the caravan that is marching up through Mexico.
According to the President, Guatemala has been boasting that they have captured more than 100 people connected with ISIS. Whether this is true or not, the possibility is real, and this in itself is enough to warn us against letting this caravan in without proper vetting.
Politifacts, which is not a conservative organization, reported in April 2016 that people from thirty-five Middle Eastern countries have come in through Texas alone. There have been 439 cases of these people from Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Libya, Pakistan, and Syria. Authorities reported that 143 of these people are on the terrorist watch list.
In 2008 they apprehended Achmed Muhammad Dafni for smuggling 270 Somalians into the country. Some of them had connections with the terrorist group Al-Shabab.
In 2006, the House Homeland Security Committee reported that hundreds of people from countries that are known to harbor terrorists and promote terrorism have come into our country across the southern border each year.
In 2005, members of Hezbollah were arrested coming across the southern border.
An updated report from the House Homeland Security Committee said that 1,918 “special interest aliens” were stopped at the border.
In 2008, Ecuador dropped its visa requirements for admission into their country. This has made it easier for those from countries that support terrorism to infiltrate their nation. Those who come from these countries look like Latinos, so it is hard to identify them.
The point I am trying to make is that there is a very good possibility that there is a terrorist threat in these groups coming up from Central and South America. As a matter of fact, it is highly likely.
What Is God’s View Concerning Borders?
First of all, being for closed borders is not racist.
Although the Bible talks about nations, it does not talk about race. It says we are all of the same blood.
Acts 17:26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
You will, however, notice that God has determined the bounds of their habitation. He has set national borders.
Genesis 10:5 By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
In this verse we have the dividing of the nations. When the people did not obey God in these divisions, He confounded their languages to force them to divide themselves.
The point is, God sets the borders, and we have every right to defend them against those who would come in illegally.
Does God Protect His Borders?
Remember the story in Matthew 22? A man was found without a wedding garment. What happened to him?
Matthew 22:13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
He did not belong within the boundaries set for the wedding, and he was bound and cast out. I believe this is talking about the Wedding Supper of the Lamb, and only those clothed in the righteousness of Christ belong there. All others are cast into outer darkness.
There was only one door in the Ark, and God shut the door to keep out those who did not belong.
Genesis 7:16 And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in.
This pictures God shutting the door of salvation to those who reject Him and His precepts.
2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
There is only one door that leads into the presence of God.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Jesus is the only way of salvation.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Do you remember the rich man and Lazarus? Even in the next life you cannot pass from one realm to another.
God is very careful to protect His borders and we also have the right to protect ours.
How to Treat Foreigners In Our Country
The Bible talks about strangers in the land. It tells us to treat them as if they were one of us.
Leviticus 19:34 But the stranger that dwelleth with 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.
This tells us we are to treat strangers (foreigners) like we treat ourselves. The Bible also says that strangers are to live by our laws.
Leviticus 18:26 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you:
Strangers who dwell among us are obligated to keep our laws, just as we are.
Leviticus 20:2 Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones.
Strangers are subject to the same legal repercussions as citizens.
Leviticus 24:16 And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death.
Yes, we welcome foreigners into our nation, but they are subject to the same laws as we are. This includes immigration laws as well as our civil and criminal codes.
