Compassion.
It defines us as a nation and as a people. It is at the heart of what it means to be a Christian. We have an entire chapter of scripture (1 Corinthians 13) that informs us that without charity (love or compassion) nothing else we do matters or counts.
We want to help people in need. Most Americans genuinely want to end hunger, violence and homelessness, we don’t desire to see children left on their own to survive in the wilderness. We certainly don’t want expecting mothers and their children living in deplorable overcrowded conditions at some center never meant to house so many people.
Compassion.
Leaders such as Governor Jerry Brown and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi are invoking what they believe to be Christian principles to guilt the nation into accepting President Obama’s open border policy. While Rep Pelosi ignores Catholic church teachings on homosexuality and abortion, she has embraced the opinion of Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan and others who espouse an open border policy as compassionate.
Pelosi and other leaders are making the argument that Jesus migrated to Egypt because of violence, therefore we should welcome those from Central America because they too are migrating to escape violence.
California Governor Jerry Brown explained that Christians should show kindness to the stranger. This is a reference to Hebrews 13:2 (I am not sure Brown knew that) which is a commentary to the various laws regarding strangers in the Torah and the example of Abraham. Governor Brown is correct that we should show compassion and hospitality to those who seek it.
Scripture is a curious thing. It informs us on how to live and how to order our lives, but it should always be read in context and interpreted by other scripture. We should not ignore the whole council of God that brings balance and order either.
It is true that as individual believers we have an obligation to show kindness and compassion to the stranger, however, it is also true that the stranger should not take the kindness by force. Jesus said,
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber.” -John 10:1
I realize that Jesus is speaking of entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven, however, the principle can be applied to entrance into our country.
Most Americans do not oppose immigration. We are a fair minded people and I think we desire to give everyone a fair shot at coming to America and work for the dream. I also believe that most Americans really don’t care about what country a person migrates from as long as it is done above board and legally.
The issue most Americans have is that we are not being asked to show compassion but we are being told. We are not even being asked to show charity, which is voluntary giving to strangers. We are being told that our taxes must be used to give migrants, who have climbed in another way instead of using the gateway, healthcare, EBT, walking around money and a whole host of other benefits not afforded to most citizens. Benefits that will grow the size of government and increase the dependency class.
Such things do not show compassion but enslave. True compassion aids the stranger to stand on his or her own feet once their new neighbors help them as they are able. True compassion would not allow them to become dependent on their new government for their daily bread.
There is one other principle Jesus taught regarding the person who enters the sheep pen by another way. He called that person a thief. Regardless of why the president and others truly want this flood of migrants to enter our country the way that they are entering, we should note what Jesus said of the one that enters their own way.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. -John 10:10
We should always be wary of any politician claiming a Christian principle, and especially when they try to quote scripture. I will say it again that I believe that Americans want to help people in need. What they do not want is for people in need to demand assistance after they have flagrantly broken the law.
