Unless it has to do with the lives of unborn children, I tend to avoid anything political on social media (how can the value of life be considered political?).  As Christians, though, we cannot avoid the “hot topics”—because no matter where we live, whether in the US or another country, we have the scriptural admonition, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.  Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.” (Romans 13:1-2)

Godly wisdom and perspectives often collide with the “wisdom” of this age (Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe?  Where is the debater of this age?  Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” 2 Corinthian 1:20).

Also, the apostle Paul reminds us in his second letter to Timothy, “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:12-13)

These are difficult scriptures to embrace!  The passage in Romans, notably when someone is serving in public office who you don’t like, or perhaps you take exception to their political views.  And Paul’s reminder to Timothy that persecution is inevitable is not usually embraced as good news. (…however, scripture reminds us to “count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. James 1:2-3)

I’ve noticed a lot of people taunting Christians on social media with statements, memes, and using what could be considered “profiling,” by stating their opinions of what God or Jesus would (or should) do regarding illegal immigrants.  I think their intentions in posting these things is to intimidate or silence those who disagree with them.  I recognize the enemy’s intentions in using these tactics—he is a bully, using intimidation and manipulation, and if you think about it, self-righteousness.

My overall view hasn’t changed, yet my thinking has been challenged recently to embrace more of what the Holy Spirit might be saying to Jesus’ church.  …and I would like people to read what my heart hopes to communicate here—realizing that whatever your opinion about illegal immigration, there is room to consider an expanded perspective.

A couple of scriptures that I read not long ago poked the embers of my thoughts about crowds, …and caravans:

“When He saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Matthew 9:36-37)

“Then Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, ‘I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat.  And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.’” (Matthew 15:32)

I really struggle to express my thoughts and my convictions about the political climate in the United States, particularly regarding immigration.  Sadly, we have become an “us versus them” culture, insisting on being right and unwilling to listen to any perspective differing from our own.  Hatred and violence are rampant, being quickly justified with a deluded form of “self-righteousness” —while forgetting that righteous indignation can only belong to God because, “God looks down from heaven on the children of man to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.  They have all fallen away; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.” (Psalm 53:2-3)

The best sympathy, pity, or compassion humanity has to offer is corrupt!  So, when Jesus looks at people with compassion, is it different than what we have to offer—apart from the Holy Spirit dwelling in our lives, giving us a new heart, a new mind, and new eyes to see others from God’s perspective.

And our anger?  It is not righteous.  “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” (James 1:19-20)

The apostle Paul continues his letter in Romans 13 (3-5) “For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad.  Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority?  Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good.  But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain.  For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrong doer.  Therefore, one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.”

I recognize that many are carrying out their opposition to the government from what they may consider for “the sake of conscience”; yet you cannot simultaneously reject scripture and maintain a pure conscience.  “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared…” (1 Timothy 4:1-2)  If a person rejects the faith of Jesus and their conscience is not surrendered to the Holy Spirit, then it is a prime target the enemy!

I believe maintaining border security and building walls are scripturally supported.  I also believe that compassion is to be an unwavering characteristic in the lives of Christians:  “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.  And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” (Colossians 3:12-14)

The dilemma is in respecting the authority of our government and extending kindness and compassion towards “sojourners” – “Thus says the Lord of hosts, render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.” (Zechariah 7:9-10)

We also have Peter’s words when confronted by the religious leaders: “And when they had brought them, they set them before the council.  And the high priest questioned them, saying, ‘We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.’  But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:27-29).  Disobeying religious or civil laws is only permissible when they contradict God’s imperatives.

Our opinions are of very little consequence if they are not founded on the Bible and ignited by the Holy Spirit; and without the eyes and the wisdom of God, all the best our views have to offer is self-righteousness, not Godly perspective.  We are most pitiful as Christians if we are not believing and living, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.  Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.  Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.” (James 5:16-18) Elijah’s prayers affected both king and nation—ours can too!

So much going on in my heart—the point of this post wasn’t to make a political statement; rather, it is to encourage us as Christians to press in to God – in believing Him, trusting His Word, growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, and being filled with the Holy Spirit.  Also, no matter our views on political issues, particularly the issues that tie our hearts up in knots, we need to seek God and ask Him how He want to use us to bring His light amidst the spreading darkness.