The Unwanted Non-citizens Of America
The Unwanted Non-Citizens Of America: A Biblical Call for Justice and Compassion
In the land of the free, where liberty and justice are supposed to reign, there exists a troubling reality for millions of individuals who are often forgotten, marginalized, and cast aside. These individuals are the unwanted non-citizens of America, living in the shadows without the rights and privileges that come with citizenship. Whether they are immigrants, refugees, or undocumented workers, these individuals face prejudice, discrimination, and uncertainty every day. In the eyes of many, they are viewed as outsiders, undeserving of the rights and dignity that the American dream promises to all.
But what does the Bible say about the treatment of non-citizens and foreigners? How does God's Word challenge us to view and respond to those who are marginalized and rejected in society? In this powerful and emotionally resonant article, we will examine the plight of non-citizens in America through the lens of the Gospel of Jesus and the Tanakh, discovering timeless truths about compassion, justice, and God's love for all people, regardless of their status or nationality.
The Bible and God's Heart for the Foreigners
From the Tanakh to the teachings of Jesus Christ in the Gospels, the Bible consistently reveals God's deep concern for the stranger, the sojourner, and the marginalized. In fact, the Bible speaks more about caring for the foreigner and the oppressed than it does about any other group of people. God’s heart is one of inclusion, mercy, and justice for all, particularly those who are most vulnerable.
1. The Old Testament and God's Call for Justice
In the Tanakh, God's command to love the foreigner and treat them justly is found throughout His law. One of the most powerful verses that demonstrates God’s heart for non-citizens is found in Deuteronomy 10:18-19:
> "He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt."
—Deuteronomy 10:18-19
This command is rooted in Israel's own history. The Israelites were once strangers and slaves in Egypt, and because of this, God calls them to show compassion and empathy toward the foreigner, remembering their own suffering. This verse underscores the importance of extending love and care to those who are strangers in our midst, because we, too, have been outsiders at one time.
God’s instruction to the Israelites was not just about providing for the foreigner’s material needs, but about recognizing their inherent dignity as human beings created in God's image. The foreigner, the widow, the orphan—these groups are to be treated with honor, and the nation’s justice system must reflect this compassionate approach.
2. The Prophets and God’s Call for Righteousness
The prophetic books in the Tanakh also echo God’s desire for justice for the marginalized. Isaiah, for instance, speaks about the injustice faced by those who are excluded from the community. In Isaiah 1:17, God calls His people to “learn to do right,” including advocating for the oppressed and treating the foreigner with dignity:
> "Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow."
—Isaiah 1:17
This passage clearly reflects God’s heart for justice. To truly follow Him, His people are instructed to defend the oppressed—this includes those who are marginalized, whether due to their immigrant status, ethnicity, or social position. As followers of Christ, we are called to actively seek justice for the vulnerable, stand up for their rights, and ensure that they are not cast aside or forgotten.
The Gospel of Jesus and the Call to Love the Outsider
In the New Testament, Jesus continues this theme of justice, compassion, and inclusion. Throughout His ministry, He reached out to those considered outsiders by society—tax collectors, sinners, and foreigners—and demonstrated that the Kingdom of God is open to all, regardless of nationality or social standing.
3. The Parable of the Good Samaritan: A Lesson in Compassion
In Luke 10:25-37, Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan, a parable that challenges His listeners to love their neighbor, regardless of their background or identity. The Samaritan, a foreigner and outsider to the Jewish people, is the hero of the story. He demonstrates love and mercy to a Jewish man who had been beaten and left for dead by the side of the road. Jesus’ message is clear: compassion and love should transcend boundaries of nationality, ethnicity, and social status.
> "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
—Luke 10:36-37
The Samaritan’s actions reflect the love and mercy that God desires for all His people to show to one another. For those of us who call ourselves followers of Christ, this means going out of our way to help those in need—especially those who are overlooked or marginalized by society, including non-citizens and immigrants.
4. Jesus and the Exclusion of Foreigners
Jesus also directly confronted the issue of exclusion when He reached out to the Syrophoenician woman in Matthew 15:21-28. Despite initially seeming to dismiss her request for help, Jesus ultimately acknowledges her faith and heals her daughter, teaching us that faith and love are not limited by cultural or ethnic boundaries.
> "Then Jesus said to her, 'Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.' And her daughter was healed at that moment."
—Matthew 15:28
This interaction reveals that God’s love and mercy are available to all, regardless of nationality. The message of inclusion is further emphasized in John 4:24, where Jesus teaches that worshiping God is not confined to a specific place or people:
> "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth."
—John 4:24
This truth challenges us to look beyond the physical, social, and political barriers that often divide us and to recognize that all people, regardless of their immigration status or citizenship, are equally worthy of love, dignity, and respect.
The Biblical Call for Action
For those of us living in a nation like America, where the treatment of non-citizens is often fraught with fear, prejudice, and injustice, the Bible calls us to action. As individuals and as a society, we are called to embody God’s love and justice in our treatment of the foreigner, the immigrant, and the non-citizen. The teachings of Jesus and the Tanakh urge us to go beyond mere tolerance and to actively seek the well-being and dignity of all people, especially those who are marginalized.
5. Welcoming the Stranger in Our Midst
In Matthew 25:35-40, Jesus speaks of the importance of welcoming strangers, feeding the hungry, and caring for those in need. In doing so, He teaches that our treatment of others is a reflection of our love for Him:
> "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me..."
—Matthew 25:35-36
This passage reminds us that caring for the foreigner, the marginalized, and the oppressed is not just an act of charity; it is an act of love for Jesus Himself. When we show kindness to the non-citizens in our midst, we are honoring God and fulfilling His command to love our neighbors as ourselves.
6. Seeking Justice for the Vulnerable
Finally, the Bible repeatedly calls for justice for the vulnerable. In Micah 6:8, the prophet Micah sums up God’s desire for His people:
> “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
—Micah 6:8
This verse encapsulates God’s expectations for us as His followers: to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him. As we seek to uphold justice for non-citizens and immigrants, we are fulfilling God’s call on our lives to live out His love and mercy in the world.
Conclusion: A Call for Compassion and Justice
The unwanted non-citizens of America are not just statistics or political issues; they are individuals created in the image of God, deserving of dignity, respect, and justice. Through the teachings of the Tanakh and the Gospels of Jesus, we are reminded that our responsibility as followers of God is to love and care for the foreigner, the immigrant, and the marginalized. As we do so, we not only fulfill God's command but also reflect the heart of His Kingdom, a Kingdom that is open to all, regardless of nationality or status.
May we be a people who seek justice, love mercy, and welcome the stranger, for in doing so, we honor God and His Word.
