Wednesday, October 5, 2011

AL Immigration Law Wrong?

I have other things that I have been wanting to blog about for almost a month now, I just have not had adequate time to think through them all and jot them down. Here lately though there has been something that has really caught my attention, namely the reception of the Immigration Law being passed in Alabama, especially the reception of the Christian community, with one instance of Scripture even being appealed to in rejection of and shame of this Law. My thoughts set forth are just that- my thoughts. I am going to Scripture to set my case out in a reasonable way, and hopefully it will make sense. Just know beforehand that I am not in no way, shape, or form racist or prejudice, or insensitive to some of the horrible situations these people are in, or any of the like. Please remember this as I try to reason with you.

"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 your God."
Leviticus 19:33-34 NASB

This is a passage I have seen used to purport that it was and is wrong for this law being passed and put in effect. Hospitality, respect, and love for your neighbor is the theme here, obviously. God said it, so therefore the law passed is wrong and against God because it is not showing hospitality, respect, and love for our neighbors/those who "sojourn" in our country, so the argument goes.

This is true to an extent. We are to show love and hospitality to all, especially as it is a fruit of the disciple of Christ. Yet I have to ask, are we not to show justice where justice is due? Are we to not hold accountable to the law those who break it? If someone commits the crime of killing another with the intent of malicious murder, are they not subject to punishment, the end result being justice being made? Why am I bringing this up? Because as Christians, and generally really, we are also told in Scripture that,

"Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves." ( Romans 13:1-2 NASB)
and to,
"Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right." ( 1 Peter 2:13-14 NASB) 

This involves observing the laws and regulations in their contexts and abiding by them (of course, unless they run contrary to the Law of God). Would I be wrong - which I could be - in saying that, in essence, we are to show love and hospitality to not only our country but also to those who come to it from other places; yet at the same time, as we have certain laws and regulations, hold ourselves and any who come here accountable to abide by those laws and regulations, and if neither parties do then issue justice accordingly?

I am not apathetic towards the families that have been affected by this newly passed law, but on the same token, I don't believe that the Immigration Law is wrong. Not on Scriptural basis. Not on any other basis. It is absolutely  nonsensical and inconsistent to argue that this is wrong, and yet say that those who break laws deserve justice.

So anyway, just my thoughts on this. Blessings!

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