To say there are a lot of opinions around the topic of U.S. immigration policy is an understatement. Some find the idea of sending refugees back to their homeland to face inhospitable conditions an approach that flies in the face of who we are as a country. Others say that we can’t just ley let “everyone” in, because that would cause tremendous problems for our nation. People vehemently argue the pros and cons of each side.
In the midst of all this conversation, a comment that was made by an immigrant caught my attention:
“We have to respect the President because God allowed him to be in that office and government is there for a reason” – U.S. immigrant
When I heard the comment, I said to myself, “Someone has been reading their Bible”. I am convinced that the woman who spoke those words, was paraphrasing what the Apostle Paul said in the 13thchapter of Romans:
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.” Romans 13:1-5
Can you see that immigrant’s words in those verses?
“God allowed him to be in office” – “there is no authority except that which God has established.”
“We must respect the President” – “Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.”
“The government is there for a reason.” – “For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.”
Here is the interesting thing: the immigrant’s comments, she offers no opinion about the laws that govern U.S. Immigration. She makes no comments about what she thinks about President Trump or his proposed changes to how we handle immigrants. She doesn’t name which political policy she most identifies with. There is no reference in her words to how her or her family has been treated by the United States.
What you do hear though, is:
- God gives authority to people.
- God has established such authorities for His purposes
- We must respect God and what He has established.
It is easy to get caught up in all the rhetoric that surrounds this issue. Before we know it we can be throwing out words that passionately argue for our position. There is nothing necessarily wrong with this. My question for us as believers is: What or Who informs our position? Is it our own thoughts or the latest clever argument that we heard on the issue? Is it a news channel or our best friend, or our sports hero? Perhaps we are spouting off ideas we just read in a book.
May I suggest that before we work up a head of steam about our views, we stop and allow God to inform our opinion. He wants to lay the foundation for everything we think and do and He has laid down some sound teaching through the Apostle Paul that should be the foundation upon which we stand. Standing on this ground doesn’t mean that we don’t carry around our opinions about this issue. It means that we start with the truths about the government that God has laid down and that we pray for and obey our officials and look for ways to come alongside them and make our nation and world a better place. Unfortunately, I believe what is happening today is that we as a people are not acknowledging that there is no authority except that which has been established by God and that we still need to look for ways to support and pray for them, even if we don’t agree (or even like) them.
I will be the first to admit that many politicians who are in office make my skin crawl. I can gripe about them, and insult them(which I sometimes do to my shame), or I can pray for them.
I like the last option.
Rob