Those illegal aliens are driving me…
How did you answer that question? I have a rant that’s been brewing in me for a
while. I really don’t know where I’m
going with this blog, but I have some things that I feel need to be said from a
biblical perspective. I also think this
post may get me into some hot water, but that’s okay. I am a patriot of this country, but my
allegiance is to Christ first and foremost.
I feel that racism is growing in my part of the United
States towards Hispanics. From my perspective
it seems that the majority of Hispanics are viewed as being illegal regardless of
their actual status in the United States.
I’m not sure that the things I hear and the attitudes felt towards
Hispanics is glorifying to Christ.
I understand that this is a complex situation. Don’t let your mind run wild. I am not speaking of those trying to enter
our country to do us harm. Citizen or
not, we must defend and protect the innocent from evildoers. Period.
The irony is the terrorists who have done us harm in recent years have
all been here legally, but I digress.
Yes, I agree that laws should be obeyed and honored. We see this throughout the Bible. We have a difficult political and financial
situation on our hands. I have no
intention on trying to resolve these problems in this blog. I resist bringing up the history of how we
obtained California or how we treated the Native Americans securing our land. I don’t have the answers, but I do believe
there are two issues here: 1) How should this situation be handled politically
with laws? 2) How we as individuals
should treat other human beings. This,
in large part, is the part that has been bugging me.
How should a Christian respond to this difficult
situation? I like what our Declaration
of Independence states, “We
hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they
are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these
are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” I believe this statement applies to all
humans regardless of their citizenship.
Quite frankly, the illegal immigrants that I have met are extremely hard
working and are trying to make a better life for themselves and their families. I don’t blame them and I would do the same
thing if I were in their shoes. It pains
me to hear Christians speaking poorly towards these people just trying to
survive.
One
passage that has planted itself in my heart is Leviticus 19:33-34, “When a
stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. 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 you God.” Interesting passage as it relates to this
subject.
One
complaint I hear often relates to immigrants and the medical system. First, I would encourage you to go to a
community health clinic. View the
conditions and care they are receiving.
Hardly world class treatment and certainly not better than any American
citizen would receive. I like
traveling. I like experiencing other
cultures. I’ve never been really hurt in
another country, but I certainly hope that I would receive the care I needed
because I am a human and not based on my citizenship. I hope that we as a people would care for
other people in need to the best of our ability, yet sadly, in our nation
people seem to care more about animals than people.
My
prayer is that we who follow Christ would be a merciful people. For it was Jesus who said, “Blessed are the
merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (Matt. 5:7) and “Be merciful, just as
your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). I
don’t know about you, but I’ve received a ton of mercy from God. May we come to see people as God sees them (2
Cor. 5:16-21).
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