Borders of Belief

One warm summer evening, Lukas reclined on his lounge chair by the pool, scrolling through the latest social media posts on his phone. “Yay, they’re deporting all those illegals!” he exclaimed.

His roommate, Jing Lee, reclining on a nearby chair getting a tan, peered at Lukas, shading his eyes from the sun. “Who?” he asked.

“All those illegal aliens that swarmed the border and invaded America,” Lukas answered. “They shouldn’t be here. They’re stealing American jobs. Mooching off welfare and scamming the system. Leeches who are sucking us dry. 

“Don’t lots of them have legal status as refugees?” Jing Lee said. They fled from their countries because of war or famine, or political turmoil. Even religious persecution. We’re believers, so we should be sympathetic to that, right?”

“Yeah, sure, Jing. I don’t know, and I don’t care. They’re all illegal as far as I’m concerned. They’re vermin, infesting our nation, bringing their filth. It’s not our fault their countries are so crappy. They need to go back to their own garbage countries where they belong.

“You know, as Christians, we’re called to treat people with respect, empathy and compassion,” said Jing Lee, his voice measured and calm. “There are scriptures that say we should welcome the immigrants and not turn them away.”

Lukas rolled his eyes. “Man, that’s Old Testament stuff; it doesn’t apply to us today.”

“Don’t we still use a lot of Old Testament stuff today?” Jing Lee asked. “Like the Ten Commandments? Proverbs and Psalms? How about the Messianic prophecies of Christ?”

“Well…maybe…but…”

“We use Psalm 139 in the Old Testament to oppose abortion. The verses that say God knit us together in our mother’s womb and knew us before we were ever born. How God knows us intimately and cares for us. Doesn’t that include all of His children, no matter where they’re from, unborn or born?”

“And the prophet Zechariah said we shouldn’t oppress the widows, the orphans, the aliens, and the poor. Even Moses said we should treat the alien who lives amongst us as a citizen, and love the alien as ourselves.” 

Lukas frowned and crossed his arms. “You’re taking scripture out of context. That was meant for the Israelites, not us. These people invading America are rotten to the core.”

“Well, in any group, there are going to be a few rotten apples,” Jing Lee admitted, “and if they commit a crime, they should be deported. But I doubt the majority is bad. I think most of them are people like us who are seeking a better life. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“They’re all rotten apples,” Lukas snapped angrily. “They’re poisoning the blood of America. They need to go back to the hellhole they came from. We don’t want them here.” 

“Well, there’s the New Testament then,” Jing Lee continued. “Jesus spoke about welcoming strangers — remember Matthew 25, where He talks about caring for the least of these? And Paul wrote about extending hospitality to strangers. Oh, and the writer of Hebrews who said we shouldn’t neglect the stranger because we might be entertaining angels unaware. Christianity’s message is one of love and inclusion, not hate and exclusion.”

“We don’t have to let them in our country, Jing. Lots of them are criminals and gang members, or drug dealers and rapists  — real scum. Even the president said so.”

“My family came to America as refugees from Myanmar, before I was born,” Jing Lee replied. “They weren’t criminals. They’re here legally, and have permanent resident cards, but they aren’t U.S. citizens yet. It’s a long process. Should they be deported too?”

“Of course not; that’s ridiculous,” Lukas scoffed. “I know your parents; they’re good people. They’re not like the others.” 

“I doubt they’re much different from most other migrants that have come here recently,” said Jing Lee. “To be honest, I’m not sure that even my parents are safe from deportation right now. What prevents the government from revoking their legal status and sending them back?” 

“Not gonna happen, Jing. Your parents are safe.” 

“Think of this, Lukas. We have a chance as believers to evangelize them and lead them to Christ. We can fulfill the Great Commission right here without even leaving America. It’s like God has sent the mission field straight to us!”  

“Look, Jing, you can’t convince me. You’re not going to beat me over the head with scripture or logic. If they’re not saved, we can send missionaries to them in their own land. We just don’t want them here.” Lukas rose from his chair and stomped noisily into the house. 

Jing Lee leaned back in his lounger and watched the sun straddle the horizon with a brilliant display of yellow, orange and red reflecting in the wispy clouds. He pondered his conversation with Lukas and wondered how Christians could read the same Bible but hold such different views. 

He resolved to pray for Lukas, that he might gain empathy for the vulnerable and oppressed. He determined he would not let fear-based prejudice, suspicion, and hate define his belief, but share the gospel of Christ’s love and compassion with those who need it the most.

“I was hungry, and you gave me food; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you welcomed me. Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of my brethren, you did it to me.”

Matthew 25:35,40