Many Christians are skeptical about the idea of building a wall. The Christian mission is without borders. Our message, the message of Jesus Christ, is to be spread throughout the world. In sharing this message, we are to embrace a culture that is not of this world: A Kingdom Culture, if you will. A world without walls would allow for the heavenly kingdom to invade the nations of the world with very little restriction, at least in terms of travel. Furthermore, we are called to love all people, law abiding or law breakers. Considering all of these truths of Christianity, how could we support the idea of protecting our borders? Let's remember a few important facts about walls, as presented in the Bible.
If you have not read my blogs from the Bible and Politics series yet, I will need to clarify a few points about applying the Word of God to our present times. The New Testament teaches us how we ought to relate to one another, as it focuses on interpersonal relationships. The Old Testament teaches us how law and order are necessary to maintain a functional and civilized society. The Old Testament Law was specifically written to help the Israelites to establish and maintain a Godly nation. We can turn to these sections of the Bible for direction when it comes to matters like national security.
One of the most memorable stories about a wall comes from the book of Nehemiah. The story took place after Jerusalem had been ravaged and pillaged. A man named Nehemiah lamented its destruction and, particularly, the destruction of its wall. The destruction of its wall represented its feebleness and defenselessness against those who sought to do the Israelites harm. That is precisely the concern we should have when people enter our country at will and unvetted. It results in foreigners taking advantage of the documented citizens of a nation. The nation of Israel could not have existed without certain boundaries that separated them from other cultures. The same holds true about America.
In those days, all nations needed walls. The only exception to this would be the Greek City-State of Sparta where all of its residents were elite soldiers. For all other nations, walls had to be erected to prevent infiltration. Another story about a wall in the Bible is that of Jericho. The walls of Jericho were unconquerable. Yet, we remember how Jericho was defeated, God leveled its walls and Israel easily overtook the people of Jericho. Imagine, however, had Jericho had no walls to begin with!
In the New Testament, Jesus told a parable concerning his Second Coming. He said it would be "like a thief in the night." He went on to explain that if you knew when a thief was going to arrive at your home, you would make yourself ready so that you would catch the thief when he arrived. In the same way, we need to be ready for Jesus' return. This example was referring to spiritual matters, but it is, once again, using boundaries and common sense to exemplify a greater truth. A home has boundaries and serves as a source of protection for its inhabitants.
The most simple way to understand why America could use a wall is the same reason why people lock their doors at night. You don't want to grant someone access to your home without first granting permission. Locks and walls provide appropriate barriers to prevent people from entering before granting them access. And, of course, the real issue is not merely preventing people from living alongside you, it's the harm an unauthorized intruder would cause you, your family, and/or your possessions if nothing barred his or her entry. Walls are not a matter of cruelty, they are a matter of practicality.
The liberal progressives want no borders. They want no borders, that is, until they start erecting walls around their homes. The elite class has no problem building walls around their homes and allowing armed guards to escort and accompany their children to school. When it comes to your security, you are on your own in their, so- called, borderless and perfect utopia.
Conservatives believe that nations cannot exist without borders and when the national security of a nation is at risk, sometimes a wall is necessary.
Truth be told, even the Kingdom of Heaven has walls. The walls designate that it is God's Kingdom and that only certain people are granted entry. There is even a parable told where certain people attending a wedding feast, put on by a king, throws people out because they were not dressed appropriately. This was a parable told by Jesus concerning who would be granted access and who would be denied entry into Heaven.
I close with the words of Jesus from John 10:1, 9-10: "I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber...I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
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