Justice and Mercy: Can We Uphold the Law and Still Love Our Neighbor?
Many Christians want immigrants to “come legally.” But what happens when the law itself is broken? This article explores a biblical response to immigration injustice—calling the Church to a higher standard of love, justice, and mercy.
When conversations about immigration arise, one of the first objections I often hear from well-meaning Christians is this: “I’m not against immigrants—I just want them to come legally.”
At first glance, that sounds reasonable. As believers, we respect the law. Romans 13 reminds us that governing authorities are appointed by God, and as citizens, we are called to submit to those in authority. But too often, Romans 13 is misused—quoted in isolation and weaponized to silence compassion.
Legality alone does not define righteousness. God’s law is higher.
If we read Romans 13 carefully and in context, we discover a more nuanced picture. It portrays government as God's servant for good. That’s key. Government is not absolute—it’s accountable. When laws serve justice, protect the vulnerable, and promote peace, they reflect God’s intent. But when laws become tools of oppression or neglect the humanity of those they govern, they fail their God-given purpose.
In those moments, the Church has not only the right but the responsibility to speak—and act—with prophetic courage.
Our Immigration System Is Broken
Let’s be clear: our immigration system is broken. And I don’t mean it’s flawed in some minor way—I mean it’s fundamentally unjust.
For many people fleeing violence, poverty, or persecution, there is no legal pathway to come to the U.S.
Under current immigration law:
- It can take years—sometimes decades—for families to reunite.
- Asylum claims are increasingly difficult to pursue.
- Refugee caps have been slashed.
- Work visa systems are riddled with red tape and backlogs.
There is often no line to stand in, no form to file, no judge to appeal to. These are not lawbreakers. They are system casualties.
Not Criminals—Neighbors
We’re told that mass deportations target “the dangerous ones.” But the overwhelming reality on the ground tells a different story.
Most deportations do not involve violent offenders. They involve:
- Humble people working quietly in restaurants and fields
- Young mothers fleeing abuse
- Fathers providing for their families
- Children who’ve known no other home
To treat them as threats is to distort the truth—and ignore their humanity.
When Legal Is Not Just
As followers of Jesus, we must resist the urge to conflate legality with morality.
Slavery was once legal.
Segregation was once legal.
The crucifixion of Christ was legal.
Legality alone does not define righteousness. God’s law is higher.
A Faithful Christian Witness
Throughout history, Christians have acted when laws violated God’s justice:
- The Underground Railroad helped enslaved people escape.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer resisted Hitler's regime.
- Corrie ten Boom hid Jews during the Holocaust and was imprisoned for it.
These were not acts of rebellion. They were acts of obedience to God’s higher command: to protect the vulnerable.
Legalism vs. Righteousness
Legalism asks, “What’s allowed?”
Righteousness asks, “What’s loving?”
Legalism avoids trouble. Righteousness bears the cost.
Jesus was constantly confronted by those who loved the letter of the law more than the people it was meant to protect. His response was always the same:
“Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” (Matthew 9:13)
This is not about choosing between law or love—it’s about letting love shape our view of the law.
A Free Methodist Call
This is especially important for us as Free Methodists. We are a people committed to both holiness and justice.
If our laws are producing fear, division, and family separation, we must ask:
Are they truly serving the common good?
We are called to:
- Open our homes
- Advocate for reform
- Pray with and for immigrant families
- Call our leaders to something higher than political expediency
We must be a people of both justice and mercy. In doing so, we reflect the heart of God—the One who upheld the law perfectly and yet chose to die for lawbreakers like us.
Final Word
Ultimately, every one of us was once a stranger to grace.
And Christ did not wait for us to get our paperwork in order.
He welcomed us in.
Let’s do the same for others.
#ImmigrationJustice #ChristianCompassion #FreeMethodist #WelcometheStranger #JusticeAndMercy