by Pastor Jerry Marshall, New Community Church

Illegal immigration is not just an issue for our Nation. Over the years, it has become a world-wide problem because of many countries that have oppressed their citizenry with policies that have led to financial ruin, social injustice and even massive death and destruction. Because of these things, many people have fled their home countries in order to escape the tyranny of self serving megalomaniacs, religious and political persecution, inept governments and other social and financial dynamics that have made it near impossible to survive and to feed their families.

James Hoffmeier in his book titled, "The Immigration Crisis" wrote the following in the first chapter:

"Illegal immigration has become the major social and legal challenge facing the western world in the twenty-first century. By the middle of 2006, over eight thousand West Africans had sailed in small boats to the Spanish Canary Islands off the coast of Morocco, hoping to settle in Spain. On June 20, 2006, a group of Afghan asylum-seekers took sanctuary in St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin and began a hunger strike to draw attention to their demands, threatening suicide if the police tried to remove them. Neighboring Britain believes there are more than a halfmillion illegal immigrants within their borders. And in Germany reports indicate there are more than one million "illegal's." Even distant Australia is experiencing what CNN called "a tide" of illegal immigrants.

But in America, the numbers are even more staggering. An estimated twelve to fifteen million (some reports are as high as twenty million) now reside illegally in the USA. In Arizona, a border state, it is estimated that 10 percent of the population is now made up of illegal aliens."

In frustration with the inability of our government to deal with this situation, the legislators of Arizona, along with the approval of the governor have recently passed a law to deal with illegal immigration. This law has caused a fire storm of debate, anger and charges of racism and insensitivity to the plight of those who have illegally crossed the borders. Arizona however has been impacted by the enormous costs and other social problems associated with a flood of illegal immigrants and fear that the state may be on the precipice of bankruptcy in part because of this issue. In addition, they have taken an oath to protect the citizens of their state and thought it necessary to pass and enforce this law in order to uphold their promise.

From a biblical and practical perspective, how should pastors, church leaders and church members respond to this matter of "illegal immigration?" The following considerations are offered with the intent of guiding those who profess to be disciples of Jesus to think biblically and to respond in a Christlike manner to this emotionally charged issue.

1. All true believers are aliens or strangers in this world.

By virtue of the miracle of conversion, all true believers in Jesus Christ who are citizens of this country are foreigners, strangers' or aliens in this world (John 17:12-17; 15:18-21).

John 17:12-17 (NASB95)

12 While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition (Jesus), so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.13 But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. 14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

John 15:18-21 (NASB95)

18 If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.

Peter described our identity in Christ in the following manner:

1 Peter 2:9-12 (NASB95)

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

The word alien in verse 11 is a translation of the Greek word parokios which refers to being a resident foreigner. In this case, we are resident foreigners in this world because our citizenship is in heaven and we are subjects of the kingdom of God.

Ephesians 2:19 (NASB95)

19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household,

Philippians 3:20-21 (NASB95)

20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

The word stranger comes from the Greek word, parepidemos which describes a person who for a period of time lives in a place which is not his normal residence-he is a temporary resident. ¹

This word certainly captures the status of a genuine believer. They are temporary residents of this world. Their permanent home is a heavenly one with a heavenly city described as the New Jerusalem (cf. Hebrews 11:13-16 12:18-24; Revelation 21).

The writer of Hebrews, speaking of those hero's of faith that he exemplifies in the eleventh chapter, shows us that the status of foreigners and strangers in this world has been and will always be true of all genuine believers.

Hebrews 11:13 (NASB95)

13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

I must point out that genuine believers are not illegal immigrants in this world. (A believer who is born in this country or one who has followed and completed the legal requirements for citizenship are legal citizens according to the laws of this land). But when you were born the first time, you entered this world as a citizen of this world. When you were born again, you became a citizen of the kingdom of heaven and you are now in this world but not of this world (John 17:16). Disciples of Jesus are temporary residents in this world.

I point this out because it has been the bent of people in various nations to point to and accuse those who are foreigners in their land to be the source of all the troubles that a country may encounter. World history has substantiated this tendency. When this has occurred, innocent people have been hurt and unjustly victimized by those who have been poisoned by this sort of mind-set. This is going on in our country and in other nations in Europe.

This is beginning to percolate in our culture with some animosity being directed toward Bible believing and bible teaching followers of Jesus. There are those who look at us as being a hindrance to social progress that began in the sixties. They see us, and rightly so, as being unwilling to adopt their post-modern world view with its perverted morality, theology and ethics. Some in our culture view us as an obstacle to further enlightenment and greater personal freedoms. We are described by some as being judgmental hypocrites or are homophobic and closed minded.

Many who are followers of radical Islam have become increasingly militant and view bible believing Christians as infidels who stand in the way of the conversion of the world to the Islamic faith. In countries that are ruled by the laws of Islam, many believers have suffered severely and many have been martyred for their faith.

In the final days of the final days of this world as we know it, the Antichrist will convince the world that the people of God are the cause for all the calamities and ecological destruction that will take place during the Great Tribulation. And they will wage war against the people of God; those foreigners and strangers who are not of this world.

All that has been written thus far hopefully will serve as a reminder that we must not point the blame solely at illegal immigrants for the raising debt of our nation's budget or the taxing of the social resources of our cities. Much of the blame falls squarely on the shoulders of those American citizens who vote continuously for politicians who promise them new or expanded entitlements in exchange for their vote. For many of the illegals, these entitlement programs are attractive and easily accessible. Also at fault are those politicians whose votes are not squarely based on noble principles but on purchasing the votes of the citizenry or even illegal immigrants (if they are ever granted amnesty and citizenship).

In addition, some of the blame must be borne by those who knowingly employ illegal immigrants to gain financial advantage. Generally speaking, immigrants, illegal or otherwise, are hard workers accustomed to long hours of labor for low paying jobs.

Hopefully, being mindful of the truth that we are strangers in this world will cultivate in us a greater empathy for those who are residents in a foreign land.

Believers who are citizens of this nation must never use their vote for what politiCians may promise to give them in exchange for it. We are told to do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves. Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interest of others (Philippians 2:3-4). The principles of this passage should govern our right to vote in this country.

2. True believers are to be loving and compassionate toward all people regardless of their social status.

One of the great truths about our God is that He is not a respecter of persons. He does not show favoritism. This truth is highlighted in both the OT and the NT.

We see this manifested in the exercise of God's judgment and in His gracious provisions to all people whether they know and worship Him or not (Note Deuteronomy 10:17-19; Job 34:19; Romans 2:11; Matthew 5:43-48). This truth is clearly manifested in the exercise of God's loving provision of salvation (Romans 3:27-30; Revelation 5:6- 10).

Peter came to understand this truth more fully when under the providential direction of the Lord, he was brought to the household of Cornelius, a Gentile Roman military man, in order to preach the Gospel to them and to witness their conversion first hand (Acts 10:24-48).

The nation of Israel, functioning under the rule of the Lord, was commanded to love aliens and foreigners.

Leviticus 19:34 (NASB95)

34 'The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God.

Although the church is not the nation of Israel, and therefore not under the law, we do get the sense of God's heart in this verse regarding His desired treatment of those who were strangers and aliens in the nation of Israel.

Paul told the churches in Galatia that they were to do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith (Galatians 6: 10). This requires that we emulate our heavenly Father and pursue what is best for all people, expending our resources if need be in order to meet their most basic needs. In addition, we must remain committed to love them even if we receive nothing in return. We must do good to those who are immigrants illegal or otherwise. At the same time, it is important to discern whether our expressions of compassion and love might unintentionally not achieve what is best for others.

The practical implication of this treatment of strangers and aliens compels us to denounce any notion or perspective that would oppose immigration illegal or otherwise on racist or prejudicial grounds. As believers in Jesus Christ, we affirm that all people are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). This truth demands that all people should be respected because they are image bearers of God of all creation. And those who are immigrants and in Christ, must be given full fellowship in the church. God's Word informs us that we all stand on level ground at the foot of the cross. All who are redeemed are equal in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:22; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 2:11-22; Revelation 5:9-10).

3. True believers are mandated to live in submission to the laws of human government.

God has established the principle of authority and submission for the purpose of achieving order, justice and the accomplishment of noble objectives. Our submission to this principle is to be found in the family (i.e. Ephesians 5:22-6:4), in the church (Hebrews 13:17; 1 Timothy 5:17) and in our role as citizens of a particular nation (Romans 13:1-2; 1 Peter 2:13-17; cf. Titus 3:1).

We are to remain obedient to the laws of the land unless or until the government issues a law that is beyond the will of the ultimate authority, who is the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. That is the only exception to this general rule (Daniel 3:16-18; 6:1-10; Acts 5:29).

Nothing in the current U.S. immigration laws requires Christians to disobey God; thus, U.s. immigration laws are to be obeyed by all true believers.

The Elders of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley California, who deal with this issue on a regular basis, have stated the following:

"If a believer is illegally residing in the United States, he should take active steps to rectify that situation. This may involve seeking legal residency through whatever means are available to him (for which we would recommend consultation with an immigration lawyer), or it may necessitate leaving the United States until such a time as immigration can legally take place … In light of the biblical commands noted above, Christians who reside in the US illegally should understand that doing so constitutes sin and that such sin remains until their law-breaking status is resolved. Remaining an illegal resident also brings with it additional temptations – to lie and deceive {about one's statusJ to steal {by avoiding taxes and other fees cf Romans 13:7J to worry (about getting caught), and so on. When known sin continues without repentance, the believer's relationship to God is seriously hindered (Psalm 66:18; Proverbs 28:9). (Right Thinking in a World Gone Wrong, Harvest House Pub; page 170)

The Bible does not endorse the idea of churches providing sanctuary for illegal aliens. Hoffmeier states in his interview on Justin Taylor's blog, "The OT law is very clear about the practice of sanctuary or accessing the cities of refuge. The former was for those living in proximity to the Tabernacle or Temple, while the city of refuge were scattered throughout Israel for easier access. The purpose of sanctuary was not to avoid the law or one's sentence, but to get a fair trial in the case and only in the case of accidental death (cf. Exodus 21:12-14; Numbers 35:11-15; 22-29; Joshua 20:1-9).

So when American cities offer their cities as sanctuary from federal law, or when churches offer their facilities as a refuge for illegal immigrants who have been tried and order deported, they are neither following the letter or spirit of the OT law. An example of this was the case of Elvira Arellano, a woman who had been ordered deported by a judge because of her undocumented status. She was given sanctuary in a United Methodist church in Chicago for more than a year. In my view, such a practice neither follows the letter or the spirit of the biblical law regarding sanctuary."

The Elders of Grace Community Church have provided some addition helpful instruction to those who are Christian employers regarding the issue of illegal immigrants:

"It must be stated that Christian employers should order their business in accordance with the laws and regulations of this land having but one exception as mentioned above. They should comply with all state and federal regulations regarding the employment of illegal immigrants. Employers sin if they knowingly violate the law, and may also be subject to legal penalties. Though submitting to government requirements may cost more economically (due to higher wages and taxes), employers who do so should trust in the Lord for the results. They can likewise rest in knowing that God is pleased when they do what is right."

4. True believers are defined by the priority of proclaiming the Gospel message and our advancement toward christlikeness.

We, who know and understand that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, need to exercise special care to make sure that the mission of the church does not get blurred by allowing political issues to overshadow the priorities established for us by the Lord of the church. We are to be gospel-centered, proclaiming the whole Gospel to the whole world. We are to engage in the mutual edification of the body of Christ. Our chief ambition must be to glorify the Lord in all that we do (Ephesians 3:20-21).

We must take special care to remember that we are first citizens of heaven before we are citizens of earth (John 18:36; Philippians 3:20). We are not to be defined by political agendas, but rather by our unwavering commitment to God's Word and the proclamation of His Gospel. Maintaining the priority commitments of the church does not exclude exercising kindness, compassion and sharing our resources with those who are in need of assistance, or some expression of Christlike love. Indeed, such things are a manifestation of the transformation that God has made in our lives. At the same time, we must never model or encourage an attitude of insubordination or contempt toward the government (Romans 13:1-2; 1 Peter 2:13-15). Churches and ministers that do so because they believe that this· nations laws regarding legal or illegal immigration are unfair or unjust, violate one of God's clearly stated commands in the name of achieving their view of what is just and unjust.

¹ Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Vol. 1: Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament,' Based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition.) (132). New York: United Bible societies.