Let There Be No Distinction
April 6th, 2006 | by Scott |In the early days of the Christian church, believers in the Messiah were predominantly Jews. The conversion of Cornelius at the leading of Peter, and Paul’s subsequent call to minister to the Gentiles sent shock-waves through this nascent movement.
Debates broke out about the wisdom and appropriateness of sharing this truth with “unclean” people. Regardless of position, it was clear that the Gentiles wanted the liberation and freedom that the message of the Christ offered.
So, the debate transitioned to demands that would be made of these converts. Some proclaimed that only through circumcision could Gentile believers be saved. In addition, they had to keep the Torah laws to ensure their adherence to the Jewish way of life.
Peter spoke through all of that. He said, “God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.”
God, through His infinite grace and mercy, embraced the Gentile believer. He did not place unnecessary restrictions upon them. He accepted them as they were.
Why, if God could be so graceful in His encompassing believers into His kingdom, do we so often insist that immigrants be homogenized?
I hear all the time people make statements about how immigrants to our country must assimilate to our way of life, learn our language, and accept our customs and mores.
If God did not require that of newcomers to His kingdom, why would we require that of ours?
Immigration is the hot topic these days across America. I believe there is a solution to the problem. And, of course, illegal immigration is a problem. Criminalizing people, including religious leaders offering aid, is not a solution.
John McCain and Edward Kennedy have proposed a bill that would combine a guest-worker program with provisions allowing illegal immigrants to apply for citizenship after paying fines and back taxes, undergoing criminal background checks and learning English.
Although, I don’t feel that learning English is necessary, this bill is a step in the right direction. Immigrants are, above all, precious children of God. They are aliens and strangers in a world that is often hostile to them. We can curb illegal immigration while still be open and receptive to those that are looking for hope in this country.
We can “protect our borders” and curb illegal immigration without unnecessarily ostracizing and criminalizing people who desire freedom. No need for circumcision. Let there be no distinction.
14 Responses to “Let There Be No Distinction”
By GKB on Apr 6, 2006 | Reply
I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to hear messages like this from a minister. You must have great elders, or not really care if you get fired!
By Scott on Apr 6, 2006 | Reply
I do have great elders and I do not have a fear of getting fired. My desire to be like Jesus is too strong for me to be quiet. No matter how uncomfortable I may be in doing so. Thankfully, my elders let me say my peace. Thanks for the comment, Greg.
I wouldn’t preach this. It’s too political I would, however, preach the need to love immigrants and illegals.
By R-Liz (Ruthie) on Apr 6, 2006 | Reply
Thank you so much for putting up this post. I think you absolutely nailed it.
Our church sponsors several international missionaries, but another mission we support is a local organization called OLE– Oregon Latin Evangelism. Their whole goal is to plant churches amongst Latino people who have immigrated (many illegally) to the U.S. (Oregon specifically) and who do not speak English. There are so many sub-groups and sub-cultures in our country, I’m proud of our church for supporting a local organization that targets something other than white, middle-class, or English speaking people.
By George Freeman on Apr 6, 2006 | Reply
I have read your post and after three days of helping a person close to me install an irrigation system. I am tired, worn out and fully aware that I am older than I used to be.
Some key people helping me through this project are from differnet Spanish speaking countries. I know for a fact that they each have Green Cards and are legal hires. In fact, they have many relatives here and fly home on a regular basis to care for relatives.
Working with these guys has shown me several things:
1. Most Americans are pansies when it comes to true work
2. It is nice to see the American dream in these folks. Is the American dream only reserved for those that have received it without an investment?
By George Freeman on Apr 6, 2006 | Reply
Scott, My posting went on for a while but there must be a limit on length for replies on your site.
Anyhow, great post!
By MamaQ on Apr 6, 2006 | Reply
Scott, you are preaching every time you sit down and blog something. You are to me, anyway. And to think how much I’m saving in airfare not having to fly to Texas every week…
By Tracy3906 on Apr 6, 2006 | Reply
Amy, fly to Texas! Fly to Texas!
By Pat on Apr 7, 2006 | Reply
Why exactly the opposition to immigrants learning the language? When Ally planned to go to Honduras, one of her first priorities was learning to speak Spanish. I would never entertain the idea of living in another country without learning the language and the culture. If nothing else, to me it seems rude.
I’m just curious as to why the reaction against that.
By scott on Apr 7, 2006 | Reply
I’m not opposed at all to immigrants learning the language. I think it is a great idea and should be encouraged. I am opposed to making it a requirement for citizenship or a green card.
By Chris on Apr 7, 2006 | Reply
I worry about concentrating too much on the salad bowl analogy and not enough on the melting pot that once made this country unified and strong. I am definitely in favor of cultural awareness, but I am also very in favor of One Nation under God. Not 500 individual nations that happen to reside within the continuous 48. (I wonder if Alaska and Hawaii have illegal immigration issues?)
I’m not sure I agree with the criminalizing aspect of the original post. I don’t feel we are criminalizing individuals who are knowingly doing something we don’t want them to do. But having said that, I also realize the sacrifices made and effort put forth to try to create a better life for those that are often left behind.
Something must be done. This is going to move beyond a “hot button” issue and become a topic worthy of unrest and bloodshed if it is not handled in some form or fashion soon.
By R-Liz (Ruthie) on Apr 7, 2006 | Reply
Pat– Let me first say that I agree with Scott– let’s encourage folks who choose to live in the U.S. to learn English. However, I also think there is somewhat of a distinction between someone going to a different country because they feel God called them there to do mission work (in which case I feel like it’s their duty to assimilate to the culture and language), and someone leaving to go to a country b/c they have a chance at making a living wage and supporting their family. The latter is many times going more out of desperation, and thus not a whole lot of planning (such as learning the language) is involved or possible.
By scott on Apr 8, 2006 | Reply
Chris,
I hear you about being a melting pot. And I think that those of us who are for a more equitable and loving immigration policy would concur with that.
The criminalizing aspect refers to the main bill passed by the House in December (H.R. 4437)–a bill that could even indict religious leaders who offer aid to immigrants. Arresting someone or penalizing a church group for providing food or shelter is definitely not a direction I can support.
However, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved a much fairer proposal. The House resolution is a horrible piece of legislation that is punitive and would cause untold damage to communities. America has always benefitted from Little Italy’s, Chinatown’s, etc.
The Senate Judiciary proposal, to quote Sojourners: provides a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants currently in the country; establishes a guest worker program that can lead to citizenship; and establishes a new temporary work program for undocumented agricultural workers. In addition, the committee’s bill differs from H.R. 4437 in that it would not establish penalties for humanitarian and church groups helping undocumented immigrants or criminalize undocumented immigrants for being in the U.S.
You are right, something must be done but H.R. 4437 is not it. The Senate has a far better idea–more in the mind of Christ.
By scott on Apr 8, 2006 | Reply
R-Liz, amen to that. I just bristle with the idea that “you come to my country, you learn my language” is fully aware of the situations that cause people to seek out this country. Again, I’m all for an immigration policy. I just want it to be fair, equitable and loving.
By Pat on Apr 8, 2006 | Reply
Thanks for the clarification, guys. It is a different motive for entering the country to live, and if you’re poor and desperate, probably the last thing on your mind is learning English. There’s time for that later perhaps. And maybe that’s a way that churches can help in this process…teaching English for free to folks looking for a better life.