I am a Christ follower and I believe that immigration reform is a moral issue.

I have proclaimed to church congregations for 19 years now that God is bringing immigrants to America to experience the love that flows out of Christ followers as we love God and ALL people.  He is allowing them to be our neighbors.  Will we love them?

I pray that in these days the church steps up and does not act like many American white churches did during the days of slavery and the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s.  What a negative piece of church history that was.  Although we have made many strides towards racial equality in this nation, the church on Sunday mornings continues to be the most segregated place in America.  May God help us in our day.  And  may immigrants experience the love of Christ through Christ followers as we stand for faith and justice while loving God and ALL people.

Martin Luther King Jr. said that "bad laws are worth going to jail over". I'm sure that you would agree with me that segregated buses, restaurants, bathrooms, water fountains and schools were bad laws. Nevertheless, they existed in the 1960s and prior.  Dr. King and others took a stand against these bad laws and led the African American community in nonviolent protests against them. Dr. King was placed in jail many times over these bad laws, but as a Christ follower, he took a stand for faith and justice in his day and we must do the same in our day.  “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. (Amos 5:24 ESV)”

The Federal immigration laws need to be reformed to be more compassionate. Until they are reformed, states are left to do their own thing and each state could develop their own laws concerning immigrants like Arizona has already done. I believe Arizona's law is racist in heart and will lead to results in that state that will not be good.

Jesus said (Matthew 25:35-40 NIV) 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, [36] I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' [37] "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? [38] When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? [39] When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' [40] "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Welcoming the stranger in our midst (Matthew 25:35) is the direction of Christ, the One we follow. 

I have created a group on facebook called “Christ Followers for Compassionate Reform of Immigration Laws”.  It’s a place where information can be shared and Christ followers who support compassionate reform of immigration laws can gather, stay informed and be encouraged as we stand for faith and justice.

I give you a personal invitation to click and join this group.  Invite other Christ followers you know and utilize the group for information and encouragement.

Let us take a stand for faith and justice in our day showing the world that we love God and ALL people.

Know that you are loved,
gaj