Immigration has emerged as one of the top international issues in recent years. In America, it is one of the top domestic issues that divides the nation. Because the bible reports several stories of major characters (e.g. Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Ruth, Israel, Jesus, etc.) who lived as aliens in foreign lands,  we should not be surprised to learn that God has given many commandments about how to relate to strangers and aliens. For lack of understanding of the meaning of these stories and God’s commandments, some religions and political movements (including Jews and Christians) consider immigrants to be their enemies. This attitude is contrary to God’s commands. 

Jews and Christians will recognize that most of the statements below are paraphrases of scripture. People who are not familiar with the bible, and even people who do not believe in God, however, will not be handicapped in their ability to recognize that these statements are practical, common sense guidelines for how to relate to strangers, aliens and enemies. They don’t need scripture references to know in their hearts that these statements describe the qualities of both good and bad character.

Because God spoke these statements, they are his laws about how to relate to strangers, aliens and enemies. Obedience to God’s laws define the standards of righteousness and justice. Therefore, failure to obey these, laws is injustice which can also be labeled as sin because the definition of sin is lawbreaking. .

It is also  worth remembering that denial of justice to immigrants is an example of favoritism and partiality which is also defined as sin. This confirms that failure to obey God’s commands about how to relate to strangers and aliens is also a sin.

Perhaps the most common application of these laws for most people is in the context of politics and voting where opposition to immigration of foreign aliens can be the defining issue that informs who people vote for. God judges people based on the content of hearts — not on politics or policy preferences. This is an important fact to remember when Choosing Friends, Making Alliances and Voting. Candidates for office who relate to strangers, aliens and enemies in ways that are consistent with God’s commands are worthy of receiving the votes of discerning voters. Candidates who relate to strangers, aliens and enemies in ways that are inconsistent with God’s commands are not worthy of receiving the votes of discerning voters. While American democracy gives citizens freedom to have opinions that are unpopular with other Americans and to vote according to their conscience, the same freedom does not exist in God’s kingdom. The hearts (i.e. consciences) of New Covenant disciples will not allow them to vote for candidates who break God’s laws.

HOW TO RELATE TO STRANGERS, ALIENS AND ENEMIES
  • Do not wrong strangers or oppress them.
  • Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
  • Show love for the alien by giving him food and clothing.
  • The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself.
  • Protect strangers. Support the fatherless and the widows
  • Be a stronghold for the oppressed in times of trouble.
  • Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.
  • Pure and undefiled religion is this: visit orphans and widows in their distress.
  • Provide for the alien, the orphan and the widow so they can eat and be satisfied.
  • Do not oppress the alien, the orphan, or the widow.
  • Do not despise little children so that any of them perish.
  • Do not turn aside the alien.
  • Vindicate the orphan and the oppressed.

  • Love your enemies.
  • Do good to those who hate you.
  • Support the fatherless and the widows.
  • Do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.
  • Love and care for your neighbor the same way you love and care for yourself.
  • Do not take vengeance, or bear grudges against others.
  • Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
  • IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK.

  • Luke 6: 35 Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great.
  • Proverbs 24:11-12 Deliver those who are being taken away to death, And those who are staggering to slaughter, Hold them back. If you say, “See, we did not know this,” Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts? And does He not know it who keeps your soul? And will He not render to man according to his work?
  • Leviticus 19:33-34 ” ‘When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. 34 The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.