I was in fifth grade when the politician visited our school. He was an excellent speaker, and, being a good Republican, I knew I was supposed to like him. Something he said bothered me, however, even as a kid. Something about building a wall on the border of Mexico. While I didn’t understand the issues at the time, it just didn’t seem…well, it didn’t seem right. In college I was asked to be the token evangelical, conservative on a panel about immigration reform, and I was forced to re-examine the issue in light of scripture and in historical context. What I found left me siding more with my liberal friends on this issue. I frankly, to this day, do not understand how conservative Christians could be so decidedly anti-immigration. Here are some things to consider:

– Practically, immigrants tend to be natural allies to conservative Christians. They are typically religious, pro-life, pro-family, etc. If we can look past minor cultural differences, we might find that we have far more in common with immigrants to this country than we do with many full citizens.
– More importantly the Bible has a lot to say to Christians on this issue. Consider the standards the Nation of Israel was required to maintain concerning immigrants (see Exodus 12:49, 22:21, 23:9, Leviticus 19:9-10, Numbers 15:15-16, Deuteronomy 10:18-19 for examples of this).
– Consider the anger God expresses through the prophets when the people of Israel oppress and extort the sojourners who lived among them (Jeremiah 22:3, Ezekiel 22:6-7, Zechariah 7:10, Malachi 3:5).
– Consider the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 25:31-46. Notice in verse 35 that welcoming the stranger is part of the righteous person’s expression of love for Christ. While this might not mean comprehensive immigration reform, it certainly means that Christians should lead the way in hospitality to the poor and the “undesirable” amongst us.
– Consider the scene in Revelation 7:9-10 in which the people of God from every tribe, tongue, and nation worshiping God together before the throne of Jesus. Our citizenship is first and foremost to the Kingdom of God, our allegiance first and foremost to our brothers and sisters in Christ.
– Consider finally the Great Commission, in which we are to make disciples of every tribe and tongue, and nation. Immigration is nothing less than a great opportunity to help fulfill this commission in our own backyard.

Immigration reform is a complex issue. A Christian is certainly to submit to and uphold the laws of the land (Romans 13:1-7). No Christian can therefore champion the cause of illegal immigration. However, we live in a nation where laws can be changed. Christians should be, at the least, the most loving, charitable, and hospitable people in the world. At the most, we should consider how our laws might be more loving, charitable, and hospitable. While this love can manifest itself in different ways, and the Bible certainly does not require immigration reform, Christians should always be known more for their love of people than their love of fences.

Caleb Land is the director at the Gilmer Christian Learning Center in Ellijay, GA. To find out more about the CLC, please visit www.gilmerclc.org. As always, these are his views and do not necessarily reflect those of the CLC.