Among U.S. evangelicals, surprising support for immigration reform

[Katie Baker]

Thou shalt compromise, at least on immigration reform.

By Alistair Bell - WASHINGTON | Sun Feb 10, 2013 7:05am EST - (Reuters)

That is the message being heard from some leading evangelicals in the United States. After decades of promoting traditionally conservative causes like opposition to abortion, many evangelical leaders are now wielding their formidable influence to persuade Republican lawmakers to back one of President Barack Obama's top priorities.

With Hispanic attendance at their churches rising, these evangelicals are among the loudest advocates of a U.S. immigration reform. A group of pastors has launched a 40-day campaign to have churchgoers pray, read scripture passages about welcoming the stranger and lobby their members of Congress, many of them in the conservative South.

"We have pastors preach in pulpits to parishioners in Alabama, Georgia, Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas - in all the wonderful red states across America," that aiding immigrants, illegal or not, is a Christian duty, said Rev. Samuel Rodriguez [left], one of the country's most prominent Hispanic evangelicals.

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COMMENTARY:  This Pastor's statements made me think... is it not our responsibility to be good citizens and report illegal immigrants? As a Christian I believe and know that it is my responsibility to share the love of Christ and the good news, but are we to break the law by continuing to support illegals coming into our country which is costing working Americans billions of dollars each year?

 

COMMENTARY: 

As Christians we are all concerned with following the teachings of our LORD.  So what is our responsibility towards our government and those who rule over us?

I read a good blog this morning that I wanted to share with each of you:  The Bible Speaks on Christian Citizenship, by The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission

The Nature of Government

Bible principles concerning the nature of government are as valid today as when they were first given.

• Civil government is of divine appointment. Civil government is a part of God’s purpose for this kind of world. God’s people have lived under many different forms of government. While no one form of government is divinely chosen, government itself is ordained of God.

“Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God. So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves” (Romans 13:1-2).

• Government leaders are servants of God. The Old Testament describes the desired character of a civil ruler.

“God, give Your justice to the king and Your righteousness to the king’s son. He will judge Your people with righteousness and Your afflicted ones with justice… For he will rescue the poor who cry out and the afflicted who have no helper. He will have pity on the poor and helpless and save the lives of the poor. He will redeem them from oppression and violence, for their lives are precious in his sight” (Psalm 72:1-2, 12-14).

• The New Testament identifies public officials as representatives of God’s authority, worthy of respect and honor.

“For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do good and you will have its approval. For government is God’s servant to you for good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath, but also because of your conscience” (Romans 13:3-5).

Read More, CLICK HERE.

This last scripture begs the answer to this question that we all must ask ourselves:  When those who rule over us are no longer a terror to bad, but have become a terror to good … how then are we to respond?

Today we are faced with much the same situation as were the Founding Fathers.  History speaks loud and clear on the course they took, with the pastors of that day leading the charge.  As a result, we have enjoyed for over two hundred years the freedoms of religious expression in our country; and because of these freedoms, we have been able to evangelize nations around the world with the Good News of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

What is going to happen when our religious liberties are taken away by evil rulers?  We are seeing our God-given rights challenged almost every day by the very people we sent to Washington to protect these freedoms.  Are we going to continue to the calling of The Great Commission or are we going to hide behind pastors who are wolves in fancy suits leading us to the dinner table where only they are the ones feasting on the flocks!

There is a better way and I would urge folks to read Jake's blog, "You Want to Do What With Illegal Aliens?" The answers found here would be good for the Mexican citizens, the entire Mexican economy and the U.S. economy as well. Continuing to foster "good will" towards anyone coming into America illegally is only going to continue the added burden on U.S. citizens and the ultimate collapse of our country. 

Who then will be left to do that which the LORD commissioned each of us to do?

[Joe Marshall]

Sadly we must face the facts. True Christians have become a minority group with too fewer votes to matter any long. The last world war has started in the middle east millions world wide will die as the nuclear weapons start being used. We True Chirstian must do what we can to help lost souls find their way through Jesus who is the Key to Eternity with Our Lord and his son Jesus Christ. Do what we can before it is too late.

[Joe Marshall]

Just a simple example on the illegal aliens, originally they came to work but the Racist Muslim Puppet in the white house gave them welfare if they  dd not work. North Carolina is a perfect example of stupidity. They brought them on board to work cheap. Now they live off the government and vote for the liberal and specially in N. C. they are stealing the farmers blind. What goes around comes around..

[Carlita Ashworth]

I have a relative who is sympathetic towards the illegals. He says "most" of them work and put in Social Security which they will never get because they are not American citizen. As you can guess this relative is a Democrat. Not that it makes any difference to the topic. What my husband and I don't understand is why the second President Bush didn't do anything about the border problem. That one really stumped us! And we LOVED him and still do. But it is a "clue" to why the most powerful Republicans don't always deal with the issue head-on. It is telling, it is as if The Problem is just way too big to handle! That is the only rationale I can come up with! So with that said, if you can't get rid of the illegals you may just as well join 'em! Bring them in Christ's fold for God's sake! You may just make an honest person out of an illegal thru the power of Jesus Love...okay I will now get off my soap box. Until "next time",

[Bob]

Why do we bother to have laws if they are ignored or not enforced, is this not the definition of Anarchy?
 What ever happened to the Biblical mandate of obeying the law of the land?.
Is the Evangelical leader mentioned above like Florida's Senator Marco Rubio, who is basically an Anchor Baby, the offspring of Immigrants who came here and received their Citizenship 19 years aftr arriving in America and 4 years after the birth of Marco, who by the way his Grandfather came here illegally was detained and released only to fall off the grid and remain here illegally the rest of his days. No wonder they have an interest in and are pushing for reform of our laws, Heres an Idea lets form all of our laws around law breakers to make thier crimes acceptable, lets see how long it takes for our country to completely fall apart, as if our government not respecting our Laws or enforcing them is bad enough to have "Christian" leaders preach from the pulpit to make rewarding breaking the law for increased profit of the "Church" is unacceptable.

 

 Shall our Laws be overlooked by our Earthen Church's for the sole purpose of Building up memberships in todays Corporate Churchs where the larger memberships mean bigger takes in the Collection Plates?. Seriously, how many of todays Earthen Churches have outreachs to help the poor in the communities around them.

[Joe Marshall]

We have increased the many from other countries who have helped to increase the olde country people which is natural. Because we have no media telling the real truth about the invaders who started out working hard at job most youths today are too spoiled to do. The big problem is they do not realize that illegal aliens once who worked have gotton onto the deadbeat welfare scams by Obummer and associates are buying their votes by being so good they no longer work. North Carolina is paying the price that is typical nationwide. They now are stealing everything they can get from the farmers who they used to work for. We do not have illegal aliens, we have a bunch of groups. They see how easy that our congress and white house steal from those who a God fearing Good people. It is not just one party the republicans are just as bad at stealing from us. What goes around comes around and sadly those who have took to following the Devil will be soon be with him in Hell. Our Lord soon will tell his Angels to throw the Devil and his followers into the bottomless Pit of Fire Called Hell for eternity. It is in the book that is always right and only those who follow it understand. That is the Lord's Holy Bible. It is good that it is a bottomless pit because today there are many times more evil people than ever.

[Stanley McCumber]

Since when do you not take care of your family first. ???? I believe in God and one thing i always remember,,,, God takes care of those who take care of themselves. Anyone who would rather feed these illegal aliens instead of there own children is sick in the head. A strong family believing in God is what made this nation and that is the only thing that will bring it back, not give, give, give. Leaches on society have been doing it to long. Teach people to feed themselves, not be a leach.

[Stanley McCumber]

THEY SHOULD ALL BE SENT HOME. If this is not convenient they should all be rounded up and put in FEMA Camps. They have broken the law. Since when do we reward outlaws?????

[Karl Priest]

The problem in America is in the pulpits. 

[Katie Baker]

Amen Carlita!

[Carlita Ashworth]

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. Mark 10:21

Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. Luke 7:22

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

Liberty and Love comes thru Jesus Christ and his followers...be partakers!