In the face of all that’s going on in the world Christians and non-Christians alike can quickly be drawn into situations that generate emotional rather than theological responses. Social media is great at creating these situations and I myself confess to the sin of too often taking the bait. That’s why I’m writing these thoughts down – more for me than for you really – but I hope you take the time to read them and take them to heart.

Cities around the world are facing more violence and unrest due to issues around immigration. These events, along with many others in the last few years reflect a global uptick in tensions, often intertwined with broader political, ideological, or communal dynamics. In many cases, peaceful protests escalate into violence, property damage, or confrontations with authorities all of which is immediately, breathlessly, and often inaccurately spread across social media.

Of course emotionally responding to a situation is nothing new. In fact Satan, the great deceiver, likes it this way. C.S. Lewis writes about this very approach in ‘The Screwtape Letters.’ In Letter 1 Screwtape advises his junior demon Wormwood to keep the human patient’s mind focused not on universal truths or spiritual realities but on the “stream of immediate sense experiences.” In Letter 7 Screwtape especially recommends getting humans overly concerned with worldly causes—such as politics or social movements—writing, “Let him begin by treating the Patriotism or the Pacifism as a part of his religion. Then let him, under the influence of partisan spirit, come to regard it as the most important part.” In so doing we become absorbed in the cause itself and lose sight of our faith, shifting the focus from eternal, theological truth to temporal, emotional disputes. Then, in Letter 25 Screwtape describes the use of “the horror of the Same Old Thing“—keeping humans restless, craving novelty, and emotionally reactive rather than valuing truth, stability, and the timeless things of God.

So, given the current unrest in America and around the world related to immigration there really are two questions before us:

(1) How do people of faith fulfill their duties as citizens of an earthly realm while guarding their hearts and remembering their ultimate allegiance? And,

(2) Does the bible anywhere make the case that ignoring or disobeying the laws of earthly governments is an acceptable response?

With those questions in mind, what are the timeless things of God? It seems that the a basic biblical principle is to obey the earthly authorities. The clear teaching of Scripture is that believers are to respect and obey governing authorities because they are instituted by God and obedience to earthly government is a part of obedience to God.

• Romans 13:1-2 (ESV) — “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.”
• 1 Peter 2:13-14 (ESV) — “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.”
• Titus 3:1 (ESV) — “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work…”

At the same time, however, some would argue that the current situation demands disobedience because it is inconsistent with following God. And in some respects they would be correct. The bible does make important exceptions when government commands conflict directly with God’s commands. For example:

• The Hebrew Midwives in Egypt (Exodus 1:15-21).Pharaoh commanded them to kill Hebrew male babies—but they feared God and disobeyed him. God blessed them for it.
• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3).King Nebuchadnezzar ordered worship of a golden image. They refused to bow, obeying God rather than the king, and God delivered them from the fiery furnace.
• Daniel and the Lion’s Den (Daniel 6). Daniel defied King Darius’ decree against praying to God. He continued praying openly—and God rescued him.
• The Apostles Before the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:18-20; Acts 5:27-29). The religious council (with civil power) forbade preaching in Jesus’ name. The apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)

The question then becomes whether enforcement of immigration laws conflicts with God’s commands. Do the efforts by the current Administration (US or otherwise), administered by various agencies, rise to that level of government overreach? The Bible allows civil disobedience only when government commands require what God forbids—or forbid what God commands. In Los Angeles this is clearly not the case. The unrest came after legal efforts to enforce current immigration law, instigated by immigration supporters and others with perhaps less charitable motives. Believers are to choose faithfulness to God, even at personal risk. But personal inconvenience, disagreement, or political preference are never given as valid reasons for disobedience. The standard is always faithfulness to God’s explicit commands. The current situation does not rise to that level.

So, what do we do? In his letter to the Philippians, Paul writes: “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20). As the noise of cultural battles rises and the tension of political debates swell—especially around issues like immigration—it’s easy for believers to be swept into emotional or partisan responses. But Scripture reminds us that while we are called to live faithfully in this world, we are ultimately citizens of another Kingdom.

Jesus Himself acknowledged this tension when He said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21). And as already noted, Paul also instructed the Roman Christians to “be subject to the governing authorities” (Romans 13:1). Why? Because earthly government is established by God to maintain order. At the same time, our highest loyalty is to Christ, whose reign transcends borders, policies, and political arguments.

This dual citizenship can create conflict in our hearts. For example, when government officials enforce immigration laws, some believers feel compelled to defend law and order; others are moved by compassion for those caught in the system. Which response is “more Christian”? Scripture does not always answer policy questions directly—but it shapes the posture of the heart.

The Christian response must begin with humility. James 1:19 urges, “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.” Our emotions may flare, but God calls us to think theologically before acting emotionally.

As noted, and often quoted by those opposed to enforcement of immigration laws, we are commanded to love the sojourner (Deuteronomy 10:19). At the same time we are called to respect laws that preserve justice and peace (1 Peter 2:13-17). The tension is real. Yet in that tension, the Spirit forms us into people who bear witness to a different kind of Kingdom—one marked by truth, mercy, justice, and grace.

• The Hebrew Bible often emphasizes care for the “alien” or “sojourner” (e.g., Exodus 22:21, Leviticus 19:33-34, Deuteronomy 10:19). These commands reflected the experience of Israel as strangers in Egypt and aimed to ensure justice and compassion for vulnerable outsiders.
• The teachings of Jesus and the apostles as recorded in the New Testament expand the idea of loving one’s neighbor (e.g., Luke 10:25-37, Matthew 25:35-40) to include all people, not just members of a specific nation or community. The early church also welcomed diverse individuals, emphasizing unity in Christ.

But these are not biblical times. Nation-states as we know them today—defined by fixed borders, centralized governments, and detailed legal frameworks—did not exist. Societies were organized around tribes, kingdoms, or empires with more fluid borders. Consequently, the biblical concept of “aliens” and “sojourners” generally referred to individuals who lived among a community without being native to it.

Indeed, the United Nations clarifies much of the issue around immigration in that while emphasizing the rights of migrants under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR, 1948) and other human rights treaties, it also acknowledges migrant’s responsibilities:

• Respect for Host Country Laws: Migrants are expected to abide by the laws, customs, and social norms of the country they reside in.
• Respect for Human Rights of Others: Migrants are called to respect the rights and freedoms of fellow residents, regardless of nationality.
• Engagement in Integration Efforts: The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (2018) encourages migrants to participate in language learning, cultural exchange, and labor market integration to promote mutual understanding and social cohesion.

So how do we walk this tightrope? By remembering where our truest allegiance lies. Philippians 3:20 reminds us that our citizenship is ultimately in heaven. This perspective guards our hearts from despair, anger, or misplaced hope in human institutions. It helps us to engage thoughtfully, pray earnestly for leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2), and act with both conviction and compassion.

In conclusion: Balancing order and compassion is no easy task. Below are some suggestions that both believers and non-believers might take to address unrest related to immigration and displacement, while respecting the rule of law and human dignity:

For Believers:

• Pray with Purpose: Pray for wisdom for leaders, justice in policymaking, safety for immigrants, and peace for host communities (1 Timothy 2:1–2).
• Practice Hospitality: Open facilities and engage with lawful programs that aid refugees or sojourners (Hebrews 13:2). Volunteer with legal aid organizations, food banks, ESL classes, or job training programs.
• Respect Civil Authority—but Speak Prophetically: Obey just laws (Romans 13:1–7) but also use the freedom of speech to advocate for humane and just immigration policies (Proverbs 31:8–9).
• Teach Biblical Compassion: Educate congregations and small groups on the biblical call to care for the vulnerable, including the foreigner, while acknowledging the need for lawful order.
• Seek Peacemaking Roles: Mediate between fearful host communities and immigrant populations to foster understanding (Matthew 5:9).

For Non-Believers:

• Support Legal and Humanitarian Organizations: Donate to or volunteer with reputable NGOs that provide aid to displaced persons while supporting legal migration processes.
• Promote Civil Discourse: Encourage open, respectful dialogue that listens to the concerns of both native populations and immigrant groups, reducing misinformation and fear.
• Advocate for Balanced Policies: Push for laws that ensure border security and national sovereignty while also creating pathways for legal immigration and asylum where appropriate.
• Engage in Community Integration Efforts: Support programs that help immigrants learn the language, culture, and laws of their new country, aiding peaceful integration rather than division.
• Hold Governments Accountable: Use civic tools (voting, peaceful protest, public comment) to ensure that government policies reflect both national interests and basic human rights.

Shared Actions for All People of Goodwill):

• Listen to the Stories of Immigrants and Refugees: Real human stories soften hearts and inform policy discussions far more than statistics alone.
• Stand Against Violence and Hate: Publicly denounce xenophobic violence or policies that dehumanize any group, regardless of legal status.
• Foster Local Solutions: Work at the city or regional level to provide practical, peaceful means of addressing housing, employment, and education needs of newcomers and locals alike.
• Promote Economic Solutions: Support initiatives that address root causes of migration—such as poverty, corruption, and violence in sending countries—through development aid and diplomacy.

Final Thoughts:

Believers especially are called to live in the tension of two kingdoms—citizens of earth but loyal to God’s kingdom (Philippians 3:20). Thus, any action taken should both respect lawful authority and reflect divine compassion. Non-believers likewise, from a human rights or ethical perspective, can pursue policies and behaviors that protect the dignity of all people while maintaining the structures that sustain societal order. Both groups can and should work together—without compromise of conscience—to reduce unrest and foster peace in these challenging times.

Love, Opa

Here are some questions for Personal Reflection:

1. When you hear debates about immigration or other national issues, what is your first reaction—emotional or prayerful? Why?
2. How can you balance obedience to earthly laws with your call to love and welcome the stranger?
3. Are there areas where your earthly citizenship is competing with your heavenly one? What might God be asking you to surrender?

Prayer:
Lord God, you are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. In a world of unrest, help me to live faithfully as both a citizen of my nation and a citizen of your Kingdom. Guard my heart from anger, fear, or pride. Teach me to walk humbly, love mercy, and seek justice—not as the world defines them, but as you do. Remind me that my hope is not in governments or policies, but in Christ alone. In His name I pray, Amen.