Which One?

While listening to the radio yesterday I heard about a man, illegal alien, and his 5 year old son holed up in a Church. Authorities were ready to deport him when he fled to the Church for sanctuary.

People were calling the host of the radio program talking about what ought to be done with this man. I heard, as I have heard so often before, men and women calling to say that they were “Christians” and what this man needed was “compassion” rather than prosecution for his illegal behavior. Their theology embraced the concept that Jesus would treat this man with “compassion” rather than deportation.

While I am confident the Scripture teaches all Believers that we are to obey the laws that have authority over us, and here in the United States it is illegal to be in this country without some genuine authorization to be here, many have the mistaken belief that in the immigration issues which plague our Nation, “Christians” must come down on the side of those who have “compassion” and wish to overlook the crime.

Hence, my question. Which individuals who violate the laws of the United States are to gain compassionate forgiveness for their crime, while others continue to be prosecuted for theirs. Is not “compassion” required for all? Is entering our Country illegally, and remaining here illegally, perhaps working illegally with counterfeit documents, accepting financial assistance, health care, social security, welfare,  public education and often even voting in elections, the only crime which is eligible for forgiveness, or are their others?

Are we willing to forgive drunk drivers, check forgers, speeders, minor assaulters, those lying to the FBI (seemingly a very prominent problem at the moment), and those who vote who are not eligible to do so? Shall we forgive parents who abuse their children, or the abuse of a spouse, or stealing food because one is hungry? Should our “compassion” be available to “pot” smokers and pill poppers (some States have resolved that problem) as well? Is our “Christian compassion” not suitable for these as well as those?

We can change the laws. We can ignore the laws. What we cannot do, in my opinion, is dismiss the violation of any law because we claim to be compassionate “Christians.” Law enforcement must be uniform, consistent, and sure. Otherwise we are just picking and choosing when to be obedient to said laws. One will find that there is a variety of opinions regarding that issue. That can’t be “Christian” can it?

I think not!

[Editor’s Note: Mr. West would remind you that the term “Christian” does not necessarily indicate a genuine Believer.]