CHRISTIANS SHOULD NOT BE DIVIDED OVER IMMIGRATION BECAUSE GOD HAS ALREADY ADDRESSED THE MATTER OF STRANGERS IN THE SCRIPTURES.
Christians should know that Joshua already caused problems because of his misplaced compassion. God has a lot to say about strangers, however, many Christians have camped out on compassion and kindness, and humanitarian efforts instead of obeying the law. There are many scriptures about being kind to stranger, but there are also other scriptures that establish boundaries as to what strangers can and cannot do while sojourning with the people of God. There are 198 references to the stranger in the KJV of the Bible. How many passages did you read or study before establishing kindness and compassion as the only considerations?
Remember, also, that God established borders and boundaries through out the scriptures between people, and nations; as His people traveled through lands encountering borders they asked permission to cross borders many times. Joshua, however, violated one of those boundaries established by God, and made a “league” with an enemy. First, he believed their sad story, and believed that they were who they said they were without checking their story or them. Second, he did not inquire of the Lord. Read Joshua 9. Verse 14 they – leaders – did not ask counsel of the Lord. Verse 15 Joshua made peace with the strangers without counsel from the Lord. Verse 16 Joshua made a league with them, and then found out they had lied. Verse 18 the people murmured against leadership. Verse 22 Joshua asked the strangers why they had lied to him. No one is perfect, but we should learn from their mistakes. Proper vetting should have been done up front, not after the fact. Here is another scripture, Romans 15:4 (KJV) “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” In other words search the scriptures first, and don’t be so quick to believe a sad story, especially when it involves breaking the law. There are still deceitful people who watch the target of their mischief and plan the best way to deceive them. Deceit would be another word to study. There are 59 references in the KJV. Then there is the scripture where the Galatians were warned about false brethern, Galatians 2:4 (KJV) “And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:”
Remember that even Jesus said to those questioning Him that they should search the scriptures. Many conflicts and controversies in Christian circles would be resolved if more Christians would search the scriptures. But, it seems that there are some who just want things the way they think they should be regardless of what is written. God has already addressed that. 2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV) “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” A further study of the scriptures would resolve a lot of conflicts and move one from emotions to the word of God. God is not confused or confusing, but some of His people are, and strongly opinionated, standing firm on their opinion not matter what. Years ago, the Lord spoke to me about a certain person saying that their opinion was their had become their god. Christ is not divided. God has only one side – HIS. We either stand with Him or against Him. Find His side in His word and abide therein. Matthew 12:30 (KJV) “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Luke 11:23 (KJV) “He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.”
So much has been said about the need to be compassionate when it comes to immigration, and harsh words have been directed towards those deemed not to be “compassionate” enough. However, compassion is a weapon that has been used quite effectively against Christian making them feel guilty and ashamed. Our enemies within and without use compassion against many well meaning Christians to make them feel guilty or ashamed when they do not perform as expected, and required. Many well meaning Christians have fallen away from God supposing that they should and must conform and submit to the culture and not hurt anyone’s feelings not wanting to be called intolerant when in fact Christians have been so tolerant that they have allowed their universities and organizations to be taken over by the enemies of the cross of Christ. Instead of being transformed by the renewing of their minds many have conformed to the world and the culture. Even worse, not knowing the scriptures themselves they war against those who still stand for truth based on scripture. REMEMBER JESUS’ ENCOUNTER WITH EVIL DECEITFUL SPEECH WHERE HE SAID – IS IT IS WRITTEN, AND THEN HE SAID IT IS ALSO WRITTEN.
In Joshua’s case, God had already identified the enemies of His people, and said to not make agreements with them. Joshua violated the counsel of the Lord because of a sad story and leaning to his own understanding, thereby, being led by compassion instead of the counsel of the Lord. He made a decision based purely on the emotions of the moment without the counsel of the Lord. God had established boundaries that were clearly stated. However, the enemies devised a plan that appealed to the emotions. They planned how they could deceive Joshua, and they have planned how to deceive Americans. There were consequences then and there are consequences now.
Acknowledging God up front is still necessary(Proverbs 3:6), and proving all things is still necessary(1 Thessalonians 5:21). Some mistakes are not easily corrected, and all decisions have consequences – good or bad. The Bible has a lot to say about evil doers, evil devices, and deception and deceivers, however, it seems that many Christians old enough to know better defer to emotions instead of knowing what is written. Ignorance causes God’s people to go into captivity, but apathy cause them to remain. After Joshua realized that he had made a mistake, he turned to the Lord for help, and God told him what to do. Remember that we pray for leadership so that we can live peaceful lives according to 1Timothy 2:1-3.
One more thing about compassion, and “humanitarian efforts,” and strangers. God established the law for His people telling them how to relate to strangers. Yes, it is written to be kind to strangers, but there is a lot more written about what strangers could and could not do in the land of His people. However, the one most violated in these United States of America is the one that has to do with legal entry, and the already written legal “pathway to citizenship.” Sad stories and compassion do not justify violating the laws of the land. Many things were written by God to His people about strangers in their midst, but it is also written that there is ONE LAW for the people and the stranger in their midst. I have not yet heard any of those insisting on compassion and support for their humanitarian efforts, in spite of the harm that has been done to citizens and the nation. So many laws have been violated and so many Americans have been harmed, but the humanitarians still insist on having their way. Well, their way is not God’s way. For the Christians, God is our source of direction, and He has written what we should do. It is written should be the final word for the Christian about anything that has book chapter and verse. Jesus’ answer to the adversary was “IT IS WRITTEN…, AND IT IS ALSO WRITTEN.”
GOD HAS LAWS, AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA HAS LAWS. WHEN IT COMES TO IMMIGRATION BOTH LAWS HAVE BEEN VIOLATED.
Do your own research of the immigration laws starting in 1790 and none require citizens to take care of immigrants. Immigrants had to show that they could provide for their own well being. The language in some place said that they could not become a “charge” to the American people. Now we have illegal immigrants living better and being treated better than citizens and the bills are being sent to taxpayers. There is a lot wrong with this and misplaced compassion does not justify the evil that has been forced on our people as individuals and our nation as a whole.
Exodus 12:49 (KJV) “One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.”
Numbers 15:16 (KJV) “One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you.”
The United States of America is a Constitutional Republic and our Constitution is the law of the land. We have ONE LAW. We have had immigration laws since 1790.
Study the law and follow the law. Compassion and humanitarian efforts are not justifications for ignoring, breaking, or encouraging others to break the law. Jesus is the savior of the world – not the USA. There is already a pathway to citizenship. Follow it, and teach others how to come in LEGALLY.