The Stranger at the City Gate: A Christian View on Illegal Immigration (Tim Madden, Guest Writer)
- Pastor Jay Christianson
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
In the midst of the hot debate and even hotter protests over illegal immigration, many Christians are confused and, sadly, clueless, about what Scripture says about this issue.
I want to share an excellent article with you by Tim Madden of MaddeningTheology.org. He frames the issue of illegal immigration concisely and clearly. Most of all, Tim explores the problem from a solid biblical foundation.
For the record, I am not against legal immigration, just illegal immigration. I pray that Tim’s article will help us all understand more clearly what the Lord has to say about this hot topic, and keep us from falling into the trap of letting unrestrained emotions guide our thinking. The following is reprinted in its entirety with Tim’s permission.
The Stranger at the City Gate: A Christian View on Illegal Immigration
“Immigration is one of the most emotionally charged and politically complex issues of our time, especially when it comes to illegal immigration. And as unrest continues to grow in places like Los Angeles, many Christians are asking, How should I think biblically about this? Should we care for foreigners and refugees? Yes. But does that mean we ignore the rule of law or blur national borders? No.
As believers, we must move beyond political soundbites. Our response must be shaped by Scripture, guided by truth, grounded in Love, and marked by wisdom. Let’s explore some biblical principles that can guide us in navigating this challenging yet meaningful conversation.
1. Yes, Love the Sojourner—That’s Clear
God’s heart for the sojourner is unmistakable. In Deuteronomy 10:19, He commands His people, “Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.” And in Leviticus 19:33–34, He says, “You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself.”
The Hebrew word for sojourner (ger) refers to someone who resides in a land temporarily, typically with permission and a posture of humility. Scripture calls us to welcome these individuals with dignity, compassion, and justice. Every person is made in the image of God, and we must not forget that. However, biblical compassion does not supersede biblical order, which leads us to the second truth.
2. But No, the Bible Doesn’t Endorse Lawlessness
Loving the foreigner does not mean disregarding the law. Romans 13:1–4 makes clear that God institutes government to maintain justice and order: “For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad.” Similarly, 1 Peter 2:13–14 urges us to “be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution.”
It is not unloving—or un-Christian—for a government to enforce its laws. Immigration laws exist for the common good of their citizens. Without enforcement, laws are meaningless. And when rules are pointless, both citizens and immigrants suffer.
3. Borders and Boundaries Are Biblical
The Bible affirms the idea of national distinction and physical boundaries. In Acts 17:26, Paul teaches that God “made from one man every nation... having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place.”
Boundaries are not a product of hate—they are part of wise design. Proverbs 25:28 says, “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.”
Nehemiah’s rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall (Nehemiah 2:17) was not condemned but blessed by God for the protection of His people. Even the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21 has gates and walls—not to keep out the righteous but to preserve peace.
In Scripture, walls protect what is sacred. They do not contradict Love—they enable it to flourish wisely and securely.
4. Sovereign Nations Have a Right to Decide Who Enters
Scripture recognizes the legitimacy of nations, and nations must govern wisely. Sovereignty means having the authority to make decisions about borders, security, and who may enter under what conditions.
This is not cruelty—it is stewardship. Just as a homeowner has the right to determine who enters his home, so too a nation has the right to manage its gates.
5. Prioritizing Your Nation Isn’t Sinful—It’s Ordered Love
St. Augustine introduced the idea of ordo amoris—the proper ordering of our loves. We are not called to love everyone in the same way. Galatians 6:10 supports this when it says, “As we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
Similarly, 1 Timothy 5:8 teaches that a man who fails to care for his own family is worse than an unbeliever. A nation, like a father, must care for its own before it can rightly care for others. Prioritizing your people doesn’t mean rejecting others—it means loving with wisdom and responsibility.
6. Illegal Entry Is Not the Same as Welcoming the Stranger
Welcoming the sojourner doesn’t mean endorsing illegal immigration. In biblical terms, a sojourner is someone who has entered with humility and lives peacefully within the laws of the land.
Sneaking past a nation’s gates is not the same thing. It’s not biblical hospitality to overlook lawbreaking—it’s an injustice against those who came through the proper process and those who suffer the consequences of unlawful entry.
Justice and mercy must walk hand in hand. Justice without mercy becomes cruelty. Mercy without order becomes chaos. But together, they uphold a society where both citizens and immigrants can thrive.
Final Thoughts: Love with Truth, Guard with Grace
So, how should Christians respond? We must be the first to show kindness, extend welcome, and speak up for justice. But Love must walk alongside truth. And truth tells us that nations matter, laws matter, and order matters.
Loving someone does not require erasing borders or citizenship. Real Love calls us to help others rightly, not through disorder, but through peace, protection, and wisdom.
Let’s be people of deep compassion and biblical conviction—loving the sojourner while honoring the city gate.”
Sources:
The Stranger at the City Gate: A Christian View on Illegal Immigration, Tim Madden, maddeningtheology.org. Reprinted with permission.
A special note to you, dear reader: I want to know what you think of the Frothy Thoughts Blog. If you will, please send a quick email to HighBeamMinistry@gmail.com with your comment about this blog, or just to let me know you read it. Your response can be a sentence or a page. Don’t worry. High Beam Ministry won’t use your email for spam. For notifications about new material, please use the subscribe button on the website. Thanks so much for reading and replying!
Shining the Light of God’s Truth on the Road Ahead
Pastor Jay Christianson
The Truth Barista, Frothy Thoughts