MISUNDERSTANDING TRUE COMPASSION

 

There seems to be a misunderstanding among some Christians, even among those who call themselves Christian pastors/teachers/leaders about what true compassion is.

The main focus I'm pointing to is the issue with the illegal immigration issue.  I see, read, and hear different Christian leaders lecturing other Christians about having compassion on the illegal immigrants and how those of us who are in support of deportation are being "un-Christ-like".

First, let me start out with the teaching in Romans 13.  The Apostle Paul says in Romans 13 that we, as believers, are to be subject to the authorities over us.  God sovereignly puts into office those whom He chooses whether we like them, support them, or agree with them, or not.

It is our duty as Christians to submit to the laws of our country (as long as those laws don't tell us to disobey God, and then we obey God), and that includes making sure those who are living here illegally either go through the process of getting their citizenship papers or leave.

"Oh, those poor people came here from another country to escape the horrors!!" 

How do we know that?  Is that really true or are they just telling a big one to gain sympathy?  

We don't know, but what we do know is that we are a country of laws that should be followed so that CHAOS doesn't reign in the streets and, yet here we are.

Second, we can show compassion for these immigrants while still insisting that the law be followed.  We can be an encouragement to them by helping them get the process started.  The cost for getting the process started varies depending upon whether they file actual physical paperwork (more expensive) or file online (less expensive).  Physical paperwork along with the fingerprinting process costs $845, while the online process with the fingerprinting process is $795.

So, the question I ask is, if all these so-called "Christian" leaders have this much compassion for the illegal immigrants, why can't they SHOW IT by helping them pay for the process to become a naturalized citizen?

Which is more compassionate?  Helping them in the process of becoming citizens or telling them to get out in the streets to protest, riot, and put their lives in danger by engaging in violence against federal agents and local police which could end up getting them killed?

A "Christian" pastor who encourages their congregation to ignore our laws and to act violently towards law enforcement is not being Christlike and is NOT being compassionate. 

They're being unloving and unholy.  It is a bad example of how gospel-loving believers should act and live because it goes against the teaching of Scripture by being disobedient to what we're taught about submitting to civil authorities.

Stop accusing law-abiding Christians who are acting in obedience to Scripture of being "uncompassionate" because we are in support of upholding the laws of our country.

Start showing true compassion to those you want to help by encouraging them to also uphold the law by either going back to their home country and to start the process of becoming a Lawful Permanent Resident, which they have to be an LPR for five years before they can become a Naturalized Citizen.

Christians uphold the law, not subvert it.