IMMIGRANTS As I studied what the Bible says about immigrants, I was astonished: In verse after verse, God instructs his people to show love to – and seek justice for – immigrants. How had I never noticed these passages before? While we would not allow our church to become politicized or partisan over an issue, we knew we could not bury our heads in the sand. Willow Creeks elders and I determined that we would be guided by two key biblical principles as we engaged this tough issue. ~ First, we would take seriously Jesus words in Matthew 25: By welcoming a stranger, we welcome him, and by shunning a stranger, we reject him. We would not turn our backs on our immigrant neighbors. ~ Second, we would be guided by respect for the rule of law, which Romans 13 makes clear is a Christ-followers responsibility. In consulting with legal experts, we found we could minister effectively to our undocumented neighbors – proclaiming the gospel, meeting tangible needs and advocating for more compassionate, sensible immigration policies – and still be fully within the bounds of the law. Ive become an outspoken advocate for sensible and just reforms to our immigration laws. Ive met with lawmakers, written a newspaper op-ed and challenged those in our church to speak up for justice. I pray for the immigrants in our community and for our elected officials, who need divine wisdom as they craft reforms. - Pastor Bill Hybels
Posted on: Fri, 04 Apr 2014 13:25:26 +0000
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