Does America have a “sacred duty” to rescue every refugee because it was “founded” on Biblical principles? Many FB posts and other articles have been urging America to open its arms and borders to anyone who wants to come in. Some are going so far as to urge the removal of all barriers and the end of all immigration restrictions; to let everyone in. Some claim this is America’s “Christian” duty in fulfillment of The Lord’s command to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31) and description of His people as those who help others (Matthew 25). Many religious groups are heavily promoting this because they see it as their mission.

The problem of immigration and helping oppressed people is vast and complex because we live on a vast and complex earth filled with complex people and cultures. There is no simple solution and no single option is going to please everyone. So, let me be clear: Morning Minutes in the Bible on An American Missionary cannot and will not begin to present solutions to these complex problems. First because they are matters of politics and that is not my mission. Second, it’s entirely too complex to address in just three minutes.

However, that does not prevent me from saying America, as a nation, does not have a “sacred duty” to rescue any refugees because it is not a “Christian” nation. Just because the founders borrowed from the Bible in the creation of America’s governing documents does not make it “Christian.” It is a secular entity just like every other nation on earth. It is to be commended for choosing to rescue refugees because that is a good thing to do, but even then it has to use judgment and prudence because civil government’s “sacred duty” is the “punishment of evil-doers and the praise of those who do right” (1 Peter 2:13-17; Romans 13:1-7). That requires some means of determining and detaining those who are evil-doers in order to protect those who are not. But again those are political decisions beyond my mission.

“What is your mission?” some may ask, and it’s a fair question. My mission is simple: to open God’s word and share it with anyone willing to listen and obey. These studies are directed at people, individuals with a heart to hear God’s word and pursue their sacred duty – “the obedience of faith” (Romans 1:5; 16:26). They are not designed to prompt political or social action. Our goal here is to learn what it means for us to “love our neighbor” and “submit to the governing authorities” on a practical, personal level. How you and I react to immigrants and immigration and our government is very personal and open to discussion. To be continued…