The Government is Not God

As a boy, I watched a lot of television. Some programs had an educational value such as the “Schoolhouse Rock” cartoons that used to air on Saturday mornings. Those clips taught subjects such as multiplication, grammar, and American history. One of the latter was about the Constitution and sang the intro of this important document…

“We the People…in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

Although I didn’t do well in my seventh-grade history class, I got a decent grade on one test when we had to write out the Preamble. Music can be a helpful tool for memorizing things.

I’m thankful to be an American but have been appalled by recent actions taken by some political leaders. Under the guise of “saving lives” from the coronavirus, a few authority figures have enacted ridiculous orders… 

• Oregon governor Kate Brown (who is bisexual) urged her constituents to call the police if over six people gathered in a private residence for Thanksgiving. Yet there were larger assemblies in stores the next day for Black Friday. 
• Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti authorized the city to shut off the water and power to properties where large parties and gatherings are held.
• Minnesota governor Tim Walz imposed another lockdown that reintroduced the prohibition of indoor dining. (This is another reason why I’m looking forward to going south for the winter in addition to escaping colder weather.) 

Fortunately, not every politician is seeking to control the populace. Last year, Ron DeSantis became Florida’s newest governor. He stated in his inaugural address: “Our rights are endowed by God, not government.”

God has ordained positions of authority. The purpose of which is for them to serve and protect the people they represent. It’s not for people to serve the government and look to them as their source. Before communism overtook his country, Russian playwright Anton Chekhov stated, “The government is not God. It does not have the right to take away that which it can't return even if it wants to.”

Back in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln pointed out in his Gettysburg Address that government is “…of the people, by the people, for the people.” The United States is supposed to be the land of the free. Our Founding Fathers encouraged us to resist those who seek to take away our liberties. Therefore, it’s time for more Americans (and those locked down in other nations) to take a stand against corrupt politicians. Moses didn’t just pray for Pharaoh. He appeared before the Egyptian monarch and declared, “Let my people go!” 

“It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, for a throne is established by righteousness.” - Proverbs 16:12

Godly Disobedience

Coronavirus lockdowns have forced many places to close or change how they do business. For two months now, I haven’t been able to get a haircut, hang out at coffee shops, or attend most church services in person. Nevertheless, there are Christians who are quick to preach about “obeying the laws of the land” (Romans 13:1-6, Titus 3:1-2). I agree with that to a point. For example, no one should violate the speed limit except for policemen catching criminals and first responders trying to save lives.

Sometimes civil disobedience is necessary when a law contradicts the higher laws of God. These individuals in the Bible wouldn’t have fulfilled their divine destinies had they followed every man-made ordinance…

• The Hebrew midwives were ordered to throw newborn boys into the Nile River (Exodus 1:16). One mother hid her son for three months and then sent him floating down the river. Moses eventually led the Israelites out of captivity. 
• Esther went against protocol by appearing before King Ahasuerus even though it could have cost her life. Her actions prevented the Jews from being killed.
• Daniel and his three friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego refused to worship the king of Babylon and instead prayed to the true God. All of their lives were supernaturally spared.
• The early apostles were commanded not to preach in the name of Jesus. Peter responded in Acts 5:29, “We ought to obey God rather than men.”

Yesterday I exchanged emails with a fellow American who claimed we aren’t living in times of persecution. Baloney! For the past few years, Christian business owners refusing to support homosexual events have been harassed and fined. Lately we’ve had governors and mayors issuing threats against pastors and churchgoers just for having worship services. This goes against the First Amendment of the Constitution, which is the highest law of the land.

God hates rebellion but He is also against cowards tolerating godlessness. 500 years ago, a German priest named Martin Luther opposed corruption by the Roman Catholic Church that resulted in religious freedom for multitudes of people. This same country later allowed an Austrian named Adolf Hitler to gradually take away personal freedoms. Think that can’t happen here in the United States? Bad things happen when good people do nothing. 

A future law people should not obey is taking the mark of the beast. As A. W. Tozer once said, “To be right with God has often meant to be in trouble with men.”

But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.” - Acts 4:19

Martin Moves to Heaven

Martin and me in 2014

It’s sad when friends of ours die but it’s also a time of rejoicing if they knew the Lord. We will see them again in heaven.

Martin Wishnatsky was born on July 13, 1944 and raised in a conservative Jewish family. Originally from New Jersey, Martin graduated from Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts and then earned a Ph.D. in political science from Harvard University. During that time, his professors taught him to believe that God wasn’t real. A turning point happened in 1977 while in Hawaii. A gypsy woman ministered the gospel to Martin. He soon bought a Bible and became a completed Jew.

After a few years working as a stockbroker and computer programmer on Wall Street, Martin moved to my birthplace of Fargo, North Dakota in 1991. He joined the Lambs of Christ, a pro-life group that peacefully protested in front of the state’s only abortion mill and saved the lives of many unborn children. (Ironically, I gave my life to the Lord in 1991 at my sister’s house located just three blocks from that abortion mill.)

Martin and I didn’t meet until 2006. During a temporary return to Fargo, I attended a church where Martin occasionally played his saxophone during worship services. Both of us started Christian radio stations that year (his terrestrial - mine over the Internet). We exchanged CDs to help expand the playlists of our respective stations. Martin hired me a couple of times to do voiceover work for his station.

The following year while back in Fargo for another season, I recorded an interview with Martin. He had just initiated legal action to prevent the removal of a Ten Commandments monument near Fargo City Hall. Perhaps that inspired Martin to attend law school. In 2009, he moved to Lynchburg, Virginia to enroll at Liberty University. While traveling up and down the east coast the following year, I made stopovers in Lynchburg to see Martin. One time he invited me to sit in a Constitutional Law class with him.

After completing his studies, Martin plus two of his Liberty classmates landed jobs with the Alabama Supreme Court in Montgomery. In 2014, I stayed with Martin for a couple of weeks. During which, I taught an evangelism seminar for his church group and also got to meet his employer. Chief Justice Roy Moore had previously lost his job for taking a stand for the Ten Commandments. That later happened again after refusing to acknowledge same-sex marriages in Alabama. Martin then worked for the Foundation for Moral Law founded by Roy and his wife.

Over a year ago, I stopped to see Martin three more times while traveling in between Florida and Texas. He informed me of having health issues but appeared to be doing better after receiving prayer. Then this past Wednesday, one of Martin’s co-workers posted funeral information on Facebook. That’s when I found out Martin passed away the day before. He was 75 years old.

Martin never married nor had any children. However, I’m sure there are young people in heaven thanking him for trying to save their lives on earth. I’m thankful for Martin standing up for righteousness and supporting my ministry. Rewards are waiting for him at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

“Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” - Matthew 25:21

An Open Letter to the Caravan (and Those Helping Them)

An arena in Guadalajara

To whom it may concern:

I pray this letter somehow reaches the thousands mostly from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador who are traveling through Mexico towards the American border.

First, I don’t blame anyone for wanting to come to the United States. As a natural-born American citizen, I’m thankful for the prosperity we have here. I also recognize my nation was largely founded by immigrants seeking a better life for themselves and their families. All my ancestors came over from Europe many years ago.

There’s a missionary house in Florida I often stay where I’ve met many immigrants originally from Spanish-speaking countries. As far as I know, all of them came to the United States legally. Videos I’ve seen of some caravan members forcing their way into Mexico indicate they have little respect for authority. I don’t want people like that entering my country. We have enough crime here as it is.

You should be warned here in America our citizens have the right to bear arms. If I lived near the Mexican border and illegal aliens were crossing or camping on my property, I’d have every right to defend my home. At the very least, I’d fire warning shots reminding them they are trespassing. Other Americans with guns may not be as sympathetic and will respond with force if attacked with rocks and other weapons.

Recently I watched a documentary revealing 90-95% of the migrants are men. Only a small percentage of them are women and children. Support for the caravan has come from various organizations including one called “Pueblo Sin Fronteras” (People Without Borders) that flouts American sovereignty. I also read how the Mexican government offered shelter, medical attention, schooling and jobs to the migrants if they agree to stay in southern Mexico but most of them turned that down. Therefore, I question the motives of you continuing on with the caravan.

To those of you giving aid to the caravan, I agree with doing that to a point. You may be familiar with the Parable of the Good Samaritan. If Jesus was with the migrants, I believe He would minister to their needs but also remind them to obey the laws of the land (Romans 13:1-2). If you’re encouraging migrants to illegally enter my country, you are in sin!

In closing, I encourage you to give your life to Jesus Christ if you haven’t already done so. What good would it be to have a better life in a foreign country but not be allowed to walk through the Pearly Gates after you die? I would also ask the Lord where He wants you to live. Just because the United States has more opportunities doesn’t mean you’re supposed to come here. There is a reason God had you born in your country of origin. It could be His will for you to go back and help your nation become a better one.

Where God guides, He provides!

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.” - Psalm 37:23

Obeying God vs. Man

Burger King once used the advertising slogan, “Sometimes, you gotta break the rules.” If you’re truly living for the Lord, He will occasionally lead you to do things that may seem risky and go against man-made laws. Sometimes I have evangelized in shopping malls even though security people will try to stop that because they consider it “soliciting.”

A recent exchange of emails with a Facebook friend about illegal immigration reminded me of a situation that happened fifteen years ago. In April 2003, I flew to Berlin to share the gospel in Germany. Originally I was scheduled to fly back to the U. S. a month later but opted not to despite my return ticket classified “non-refundable.” The Lord told me my leaving Germany then would be in His permissive will but not His perfect will. Eventually, He led me to visit other European nations.

By September I was in Spain and perceived it was time to come home. One day I went to the Madrid airport hoping the airline would let me use my old return ticket. The representative I talked to put a reservation into her computer, which was denied by the airline’s home office. But when I returned to the place I was staying, a friend had called saying the Lord instructed him to buy me another airline ticket!

When I started my flight back to the Washington, DC area, one concern I had was what to say while going through customs. I found out an American could legally stay in the European Union without a visa for only 90 days every six months. After changing planes in Amsterdam, I was given a customs declaration form to fill out. One question that needed to be answered was which foreign countries I visited. The form had space to write down only two but I had been in seven on this trip. I asked a flight attendant what I should do. She told me to put down the last two countries I’d been in. 

Later at Dulles Airport, the customs official examined my declaration form and asked me how long I was in Spain and the Netherlands (the total time for both was just over a month). He didn’t inquire about any other countries I visited. The only thing that raised his eyebrows was my post office box listed as a permanent address. I explained that I’m a missionary who lives in various places for short periods of time but uses a PO Box in Virginia to collect my mail. The man shook his head and waved me through.

This testimony is not to encourage anyone to purposely overstay their visit to a foreign nation. Whenever possible, we should obey the laws of the land that don’t violate Scripture. Still, God will give grace and favor to those obedient to the Great Commission. 

The laws of man are superseded by the higher laws of God.

“But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey God rather than men.’” - Acts 5:29 

A Permit to Preach

Every minister who takes the gospel to the public occasionally comes into conflict with authority figures. Even in the United States where the Constitution guarantees “freedom of religion”, various laws and ordinances have been passed in an effort to hinder God’s word from going forth.

Two weeks ago in Crystal, Minnesota, I was with a group of soul winners sharing the gospel at a carnival. Although it was in a public park, a carnival supervisor came up to us saying we weren’t allowed to evangelize there because we didn’t have a permit. We continued moving and witnessing in the park until a policeman told us “no preaching”. We then moved outside the park perimeters and talked to individuals walking towards or leaving the carnival.

Then this past week at the annual motorcycle rally in Sturgis, South Dakota, I passed out tracts along Main Street and struck up conversations with other ministers doing the Lord’s work. One Baptist group was promoting a motorcycle giveaway. When I showed one man there the tracts I was using, he claimed the police in Sturgis have fined people for handing out literature without a permit. Later, I talked with a cross walker named Bob Hunas, who’s also a police chaplain. He said I wouldn’t have any problems as long as I didn’t stand in front of a particular business too long.

It's happened before when fellow ministers, for whatever reason, didn’t want me witnessing to others. One afternoon in Tampa, Florida, I was walking on a sidewalk across the street from a junior high school when a middle-aged man along with seven teenagers were waiting at a corner. I felt led to witness to them. The man said he was a born-again Methodist minister, but told me I wasn't allowed to talk to the students about “religion”. I pointed out I was on a public sidewalk where the First Amendment protects my freedom of speech. The minister responded that as their chaperon he didn't approve of the questions I was asking. I then asked, “Doesn't the Bible say we’re not to be ashamed of the gospel”? The minister hesitated at first, but then hinted at calling the police. Ignoring the threat, I quoted Romans 10:9 to four of the teens (the other three had walked away by this time) and gave them an opportunity to receive salvation. The minister didn't say another word to me as one boy prayed to get saved.

Sometimes it’s best to comply with local laws to avoid wasting time and money defending our rights. One time, I evangelized with a friend near a high school in Springfield, Virginia. There we noticed a police car at an intersection. I approached the policeman to let him know what we were doing. He informed me a local city ordinance required us to be at least one block away from the school. Although I could have contended for my constitutional right to distribute literature on public sidewalks closer to the school, I felt it was best to follow the policeman’s order. There were still many students my friend and I could talk to as they were walking home. Eleven of them prayed with us to receive salvation. 

We should always be respectful to authority but never bow down to the fear of man. Perhaps the next time someone tells me I need a permit to preach, I could open up my Bible and show them what Jesus said in the Great Commission. God’s laws supersede man’s laws.

“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.’” - Mark 16:15

Love the Jews

Some believers are reluctant to share the gospel with Jews because of past atrocities done to them in Christ’s name. Nevertheless, they still need to hear the Good News to be saved. A Jewish convert named Paul wrote in Romans 1:16 (NLT), “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes–the Jew first and also the Gentile.” 

Once I lived with a family in Virginia that had a Christian mother and a Jewish father. The mother originally didn’t want me witnessing to her husband because other believers tried forcing the gospel upon him. Three days before I moved out, the Lord instructed me to witness to this man. After mentioning this to his wife (who gave her approval), I asked him questions about his eternal destiny. He wouldn’t pray with me but listened politely as I mentioned a few Old Testament prophecies pointing to Jesus as the Messiah.

At the Mall of America near Minneapolis, some of their kiosk workers are from Israel. When I advised one of them to read Isaiah 53 (which talks about the suffering Messiah), the young man didn’t understand what I was talking about. I realized “Isaiah” is pronounced differently in Hebrew. Using my smartphone, I logged onto biblegateway.com and showed this man Isaiah 53 in the Hebrew language. He then knew what I was talking about. It was another seed planting opportunity. 

One Jew I led to the Messiah happened at a Panera Bread near Dallas, Texas. After initially ordering only a bagel, I decided to get a coffee as well. An employee handed me a cup for free. Later I ministered salvation to this employee while he took a break. Interestingly enough, Sam had been given a Bible a week before. Originally I planned to leave Panera Bread at a certain time but my host emailed me asking to pick me up a half-hour later. God set up this “divine delay” so I wouldn't miss a harvest for His kingdom.

Sadly, there are ministers who discourage Christians from witnessing to God’s Chosen People. “Dual covenant theology” is a belief that Jews don’t have to convert to Christianity but simply keep the Law of Moses because of the “everlasting covenant” between God and Abraham (Genesis 17:13). Yet the New Testament has numerous Scriptures showing no one can be saved through obeying the law. Romans 3:20 says, “Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

Just before he passed away, Jews for Jesus founder Moishe Rosen wrote the following in a farewell letter...

“As I go, one of the things that concerns me deeply is how much misunderstanding there is among believers. I never thought I would live to see the day when those who know the Lord and are born again were supporting the efforts of rabbis who, frankly, not only don’t know Christ, but don’t want to know him.

“To be an honest ministry, it can only come from the Holy Spirit; and the Holy Spirit can only indwell those who have the new birth and are born again. Therefore, I would urge you to think very seriously before you support any ‘ministry’ that involves Jewish people and doesn’t actually bring the gospel to the Jews.”

I have friends who go out of their way to be a blessing to Jewish businessmen in response to Genesis 12:3. But to really love the Jews, Christians must also speak the truth regarding the only way to heaven…through Yeshua Hamashiach.

“For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.” – Romans 10:2-3

Supernatural Speeding

Christians are living epistles according to 2 Corinthians 3:3. Non-Christians carefully observe the actions of professing believers to see if they are “walking the walk” as well as “talking the talk.” One thing that leaves a bad witness is when God’s people don’t obey traffic laws. Imagine what an unbeliever thinks when he sees a Christian speeding with a “What Would Jesus Do” bumper sticker on the back of his car.

I’ve met a few Christians who tried justifying their need to speed but still found themselves in trouble. One morning I rode with a pastor who was running behind schedule and drove well over the posted speed limit on our way to his church. Despite having a radar detector in his car, this pastor got pulled over. Since I was from out of state, the patrolman searched my luggage to make sure I wasn’t transporting drugs. Fortunately for the pastor, all he got was a warning ticket. In spite of this, we arrived at his church much later than had he obeyed the speed limit in the first place.

There was another incident when a friend of mine went past the speed limit while driving me to the airport. When I suggested he slow down, my friend claimed speeding would help him avoid flying rocks. A rock hit and cracked his windshield just before we exited the freeway.

Then there was the time a man asked me to use his car to drive a female friend of his to work. When I showed up at this woman’s house, she insisted on driving since she knew the way to her workplace. Once we got on the freeway, she started going 80 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone. I politely asked her to slow down. She replied, “I don’t want to lose the job God gave me.” I reminded her what the Bible says about obeying the laws of the land (Romans 13:1-2). She got more defensive and so I quietly prayed in the Spirit. This woman was forced to slow down due to heavy traffic and still arrived late for work.  

Daniel 12:3 says that in the last days, “many shall run to and fro.” In today’s society, multitudes are constantly rushing to go somewhere. While street evangelizing, many people I approach won’t stop to talk with me because they claim to be in a hurry.

Christians don’t have to live under that kind of pressure. God can translate us if He needs us to be somewhere when we cannot be on time by natural means. Personally I know at least two people who experienced translations while driving. In 1992, a former girlfriend testified how God supernaturally got her to church one night faster than the 15 minutes it normally took to get there. When she left her house, the clock in her car read “6:25.” When she arrived at the church, her clock read “6:31.” She got to the church in six minutes without speeding.

Another friend of mine who was on staff at Calvary Campground emailed me a testimony of her being translated. One morning she drove 90 miles from Ashland, Virginia to Washington, DC where she was scheduled to speak at a church. She was running late and had to drive slower than the posted speed limit due to heavy traffic on Interstate 95. While driving through Northern Virginia, God suddenly moved her forward several miles and got her to the church on time.

Don’t let the busyness of this world prompt you to break the speed limit or do other foolish things that can create additional problems. Trust in the Lord and He will always help you be in the right place at the right time.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way.” – Psalm 37:23

Productive Public Preaching

When people hear the term street evangelist, some think of men and women standing in public places shouting out Bible verses. That’s one way of reaching multitudes who might not hear the gospel otherwise. Romans 10:14 says, “And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” All the prophets of old as well as Jesus and the Apostle Paul preached in the marketplace. 

Unfortunately, many open-air preachers I’ve seen lack compassion and do not speak the truth in love. They preach more about God’s judgment than His mercy. Some call women “whores” because (in their opinion) they don’t wear enough clothing. Jesus didn’t talk like that to the woman caught in adultery. Rude preaching repels sinners instead of drawing them closer to God. 2 Timothy 2:24-25 says, “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth”

My mentor Nick Kinn talked about a time he approached one Bible-thumping preacher who had been doing that on the streets of Minneapolis for 27 years. Pastor Nick asked this man how many people he led to Christ with his method of ministry. He answered, “None.” James 1:20 says, “for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” It’s often been said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

Normally when evangelizing I approach people one-on-one with gospel tracts. However, I’ve preached in the open square a few times…usually on the spur of the moment. One time in Washington, DC, I encountered a man sitting on a park bench blurting Scripture with a condemning tone in his voice. I also noticed some young people a few feet away listening to this man. At that moment, I felt a stirring in my spirit and hollered out loud: “Yes, God is a god of judgment but he is also a god of love...He has made a way for your sins to be forgiven so you can know for sure you will be in heaven!” After I quoted Romans 10:9, this “preacher” yelled wicked insults at me. Since I couldn’t reason with him, I walked away and resumed one-on-one evangelizing.

Another time in Charleston, South Carolina, I went to a fishing pier with three other men. There we met a Christian couple that ended up joining us in “fishing for men.” First, we sang praise songs while passing out tracts. Then I was inspired to stand on a bench and do some open-air preaching. As people walked by, I delivered a short message emphasizing the love of God and explained why none of us are good enough to go to heaven. Later that year in New York City, I was walking through the Times Square area and ran into a group of Christians open-air preaching. They let me have the microphone for a few minutes.

Recently I've studied YouTube videos of various open-air preachers especially those who engage people in conversations instead of just preaching at them. Ray Comfort (pictured above) uses clever tactics such as asking trivia questions and giving away stuff to attract a crowd. Then he focuses on ministering to one person at a time standing on a box. Although I don’t agree with some of his teachings, I like how Ray handles hecklers without demeaning them and avoids being distracted from the main mission: showing sinners why they need a savior.

If you’re willing to go outside your comfort zone and do some open-air preaching, find someone to partner with so you can take turns ministering and keep each other covered in prayer. But always remember…it’s Christ’s love (and not finger-pointing with a faultfinding attitude) that draw sinners to Him.

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” - John 3:17

An Open Letter to Daniel Heinrich

Dear Daniel,

I’m a missionary who has lived most of my life in Minnesota. While there’s no guarantee you will ever see this letter, I still felt inspired to write to you. My intent is not to bring additional shame and condemnation you’ve already experienced.

You probably felt some relief after confessing to the abduction and murder of Jacob Wetterling. It would be hard for anyone to have that on their conscience for 27 years. The date of Jacob’s disappearance (October 22nd) always stood out to me because that happens to be my sister’s birthday. I can’t imagine the horror of having a loved one disappear and not knowing their whereabouts for nearly three decades. The news reports I read about your plea agreement indicate you will spend at least 20 years behind bars. Regardless if you ever see freedom again, I want to share some good news with you. 

While there are angry people who want to see you suffer for eternity, God sees things differently. Romans 3:23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” None of us deserve to go to heaven. In case you’re not already aware of this, God sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross for our sins so that we won’t have to go to hell. Every soul is valuable to God…even yours.

If you’re remorseful for what you did, God can still use your latter years for good. Remember the “Son of Sam” killer who terrorized New York City in the 1970s? David Berkowitz became a Christian ten years after being incarcerated. To this day he ministers to fellow inmates. Jeffrey Dahmer was another serial killer who found the Lord but then had his life cut short by another prisoner. This is why we must always be ready for eternity. People from all walks of life die unexpectedly every day.

Skeptics may question “jailhouse conversions.” Others may feel justified for expressing hatred towards you. The Bible actually equates hate with murder (Matthew 5:21-22, 1 John 3:15). Jesus warned that He won’t forgive us if we won’t forgive others (Mark 11:26). Thankfully His grace and mercy are so much greater than man’s. It’s also worth pointing out portions of the Bible were written by men who committed murder such as Moses, David, and the Apostle Paul.

Certainly, I don’t condone the crimes you committed. There are consequences for lawbreakers especially when they traumatically impact the lives of others. Still, I pray that you give your life to Jesus Christ. He will receive you joyfully if you call out to Him. 

In the meantime, I will be praying for you as well as for the Wetterling family.

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” - 2 Peter 3:9

A Christian Response to Immigration

One of the most contested political issues today is immigration. It’s estimated there are now at least 11 million illegal aliens in the United States. Many Americans want to see them deported. What makes the situation more complex is anchor babies born to aliens are recognized as American citizens.

Recently two minister friends who are immigrants themselves posted comments on Facebook suggesting we shouldn’t have any border controls. One of them claimed, “...restricting immigration is part of Marxist Socialism and is totally contrary to Biblical Christianity.” Yet when the Scriptures were written, cities had massive walls to keep certain people out. Even the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21 will have a wall around it.

While Native Americans have contributed to our society, the United States was predominately founded and built by immigrants and their descendants. The Statue of Liberty has a plaque on its base with this inscription: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” 

The Bible has many things to say on how to relate to foreigners. Deuteronomy 17:15 says, “You shall surely set a king over you whom the Lord your God chooses; one from among your brethren you shall set as king over you; you may not set a foreigner over you, who is not your brother.” This Scripture inspired the writers of the Constitution to make it a requirement for the President to be a natural-born citizen.

Under the Old Covenant, certain religious activities were forbidden to foreigners. Exodus 12:43 says, “This is the ordinance of the Passover: No foreigner shall eat it.” It also says in Ezekiel 44:9, “No foreigner, uncircumcised in heart or uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter My sanctuary, including any foreigner who is among the children of Israel.”

On the other hand, the Old Testament commanded God’s people 36 times not to mistreat foreigners. For example. Leviticus 19:33-34 (NLT) says, “Do not take advantage of foreigners who live among you in your land. Treat them like native-born Israelites, and love them as you love yourself. Remember that you were once foreigners living in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”

One of Christ’s earthly descendants was a foreigner name Ruth who found favor in Boaz’ eyes. When He was a young child, Jesus received gifts from three wise men who traveled from Persia (Matthew 2:1). Jesus soon became a foreigner Himself after Joseph moved the family to Egypt to avoid being killed by Herod. Later when describing the Judgment of the Nations, Jesus commended those who obeyed Matthew 25:35, “I was a stranger and you took Me in.” 

Hebrews 13:2 tells us, “Do not forget to entertain strangers...” Therefore as a Christian, I welcome foreigners wanting to move to America as long as they do so legally and assimilate as law-abiding citizens. They shouldn’t insist on us changing our laws and customs to accommodate their preferences. One executive from the Council on American Islamic Relations declared, “If we are practicing Muslims, we are above the law of the land.” He would be better off moving to a country that practices Sharia Law.

I do believe some restrictions should be in place regarding who gets into the United States particularly those connected with terrorism and drug trafficking. Any foreigner who engages in illegal activities like these shouldn’t be allowed in the country. Those that get in and commit crimes within our borders should be prosecuted and deported. 

Unfortunately, the U. S. Government has made it harder for potential immigrants with godly motives. Not too long ago, a Christian family from Germany seeking political asylum to homeschool their children here was threatened with deportation. Now President Obama wants to allow 10,000 Muslim refugees from Syria into the United States within the next year. There are reports that 75% of those refugees are young men who could be potential terrorists. 

Then again, these could be opportunities to minister to people who might not hear the gospel otherwise. Once immigrants receive salvation, they “...are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” (Ephesians 2:19)

Our ultimate focus should be on eternal matters. 

“Dear friends, I warn you as ‘temporary residents and foreigners’ to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.” - 1 Peter 2:11 (NLT)

Obey the Gospel

Doctrinal debates sometimes result from comments I post on my Facebook page. I don’t mind this as long as our discussions remain civil and don’t promote heresy. Isaiah 1:18 encourages us to “reason together.” Yesterday I modified and reposted a powerful statement seen on another friend’s wall: “Grace alone did not save Noah and his family...obedience did.”

One friend wrote in response, “It’s Christ's obedience that saved us.” It’s true Christ did His part to make salvation available to everyone but a covenant involves two parties in agreement. A couple doesn’t become married if only one partner says, “I do.” Likewise, someone cannot become part of the Bride of Christ unless he or she says “I do” to Jesus. 

As I pondered my friend’s statement, I recalled how the New Testament talks about obeying the gospel...

“But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our report?’” - Romans 10:16

“in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” - 2 Thessalonians 1:8

“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?” - 1 Peter 4:17 

To elaborate on my original comment, Noah could have basked in God’s grace and goodness but would've drowned with the rest of the world if he hadn’t obeyed God’s command to build the ark. Under the New Covenant, sinners can avoid drowning in the lake of fire if they hear the gospel and then decide to obey it. That can happen if more believers do their part in obeying the Great Commission.

“Whoever says, I know Him [I perceive, recognize, understand, and am acquainted with Him] but fails to keep and obey His commandments (teachings) is a liar, and the Truth [of the Gospel] is not in him.” - 1 John 2:4 (Amplified Bible)