The Times We're In - An Open Letter to American Christians
This is not a political commentary. I’m interested in neither attacking nor defending actions of the government.
President Trump has begun conducting ‘the largest deportation in American history.’ Violent criminals are the immediate priority, with the goal of removing all immigrants without a legal status.
We as humans, in our tribal nature, have largely chosen to identify with or against political and social tribes. In a tribe, we can easily feel independent without actually thinking critically. The group decides our path.
The Christian was never meant to belong in a tribe. Before being crucified as an outcast, Jesus said ‘My Kingdom is not of this world.’ The writer of Hebrews also says:
‘Jesus also suffered outside the gate, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood. So then, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.’
So then, we are meant to be outcasts with Him. Sometimes accepted and sometimes rejected - even within the same group. We cannot afford to support or defend actions from a tribal position.
We need to lay aside fruitless political discussions of immigration policy and seek to understand what God is doing. What God would have us do.
Some immigrants commit crimes in the U.S.
Some immigrants do not.
Some immigrants come here for selfish or corrupt reasons.
Others come here for very pure reasons.
Some immigrants have a life to return to in their country.
Some have nothing at all.
If they don’t have a legal status, they’re all getting deported.
In this process, families are often split up and immigrants are detained with sub-standard living conditions and no legal representation in the U.S.
This is wrong. This is not justice.
Commentators have begun referring to them as ‘illegals’ and even mocking some for a poor grasp of English.
Some of these commentators even profess Christ.
People can never be illegal. They are made in the image of God. To treat them as something else is wrong. It is not from God.
The KKK have been distributing fliers in northern Kentucky calling on immigrants to ‘LEAVE NOW’ before they get deported, and on citizens to ‘REPORT THEM ALL.’
In northern Ohio earlier this week ICE entered a Mexican restaurant looking for one man with criminal charges. He wasn’t there, but before they left they arrested six employees who didn’t have legal status.
The daily ICE arrest numbers have jumped from around 300 per day to 600, 700, sometimes even over 1000 per day.
This is the current situation in the United States.
Already, many Christian’s opinions are being formed by the voices of politicians, commentators, and influencers. They urge us to align with a tribe - to defend it at all costs - while real people around us are hurting and scared.
We need to see the times we’re in from the perspective of an outsider. The Christian is not an American. Although he may participate in the American governmental system, he swears allegiance to another kingdom.
For this reason we must mourn with the hurting.
We are required neither to attack nor to defend the government or its politicians. We may all come to different conclusions regarding the best practical path forward. But we are also all required to give an account to God for our own hearts and actions.
What is God doing in this? What would He have us do?
I’m seeking the answer with you.
