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By: Robert E. Zink
June 3, 2024
We live in an era labeled globalism, a time when the worldwide community has grown more intimate because technology eases the burden of travel and communication. Various circumstances have sparked massive movements and migrations of people from one place to another. Ultimately, because of the scope of immigration and its impact here in the United States, it has provoked large swaths of controversy. The prominence of this issue means that immigration is a debate worth being addressed biblically by the church.
By and large, the whole of the discussion falls beyond the scope of our intent here. Therefore, my goal is not to have an extensive debate about immigration; neither is my intent to have a contentious discussion about U.S. immigration policy. Instead, there is an undeniable movement of people taking place, not just in the United States but around the world, and it's worth drawing our attention to that very subject. However, rather than disputes, I want us to think about the topic of immigration evangelistically. When we do that, we find ourselves forced to look at the issue from three different perspectives.
We know from reading the prophetic passages of Scripture that God is working out a predefined, perfect plan. Each activity that God directs is a step toward the fulfillment of the plan, which means that the orchestration of this migration of people is advancing us further toward the Lord's kingdom. Scripture sufficiently reveals what the Lord wants us to know: nothing more, nothing less. To consider the Lord’s full intention with the movement of people goes into the realm of speculation, suggesting we don’t need the details. Instead, watching people being moved from one place to another, displaced by suffering, is a reminder that God has frequently forced people into motion, causing them to shift from one place to another.
We saw this many times in the Old Testament with the people of Israel. Such movements remind us that God was at work with them and is at work now. We may not know the specifics, but the specifics aren’t necessary. Rather, knowing that God is at work offers encouragement to us, telling us that God is faithful. He gave promises and set forth a plan, and faithfully, He will bring it to complete fruition. What incredible contentment and joy this offers to every believer, filled with the comprehension that the Lord is true to His Word.
The apparent perspective we adopt towards immigration is evangelistic in nature. Everything we do as believers is oriented towards the great commission work for the glory of God (Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:31). As we are confronted with various issues that may initiate passionate responses (whether positive or negative), we do so from this evangelistic perspective asking, "What would God have me do that might most glorify Him in this?" Therefore, as we look at immigration, we may examine, question, and ponder it from varying aspects, but as believers whose actions are motivated by a desire to love and serve the Lord, we are obligated to look at it evangelistically regardless of whatever analyses we might bring.
In this case, through the movement and migration of people, the Lord is giving us an opportunity to fulfill the Great Commission in a way that we might not otherwise be able to engage in it. Think about one people’s favorite phrases from Scripture: every tribe, tongue, and nation (Revelation 7:9). How we love to think about the multitude that will one day worship our Lord and Savior. Such a phrase reminds us of the extent of God’s work and what it takes to actually reach every tribe, tongue, and nation. It requires not only time, effort, and money, but also means crossing culture and language gaps. Yet, through immigration, the Lord is giving us an opportunity to reach some of those tribes, tongues, and nations by bringing them to us. Had they remained in their homeland, maybe they would not have had the same opportunity to hear the gospel; neither would we have the opportunity to be used by God in their lives. This reality does not excuse us for not going to the outer ends of the earth (see God’s plan for the Great Commission in Acts 1:8). Instead, it means that by looking at immigration evangelistically, we recognize it as a God-given opportunity to participate in the Great Commission in a unique way and we should take advantage of that.
Finally, related to the eschatological and evangelistic perspective, yet very different is the eternal perspective. The Apostle Paul tells the Ephesians to make the most use of their time because these days are evil (Ephesians 5:15-16). If we aren't convinced these days are evil, we will find ourselves content here. Yet, if we recognize the truth of that statement, our longing will be for eternity where we will be separated from the lasting effects of evil. However, our longing for heaven is not just for ourselves alone but is amplified by a desire to see all those who have been created in God's image experience that eternity as well.
This heavenly perspective motivates our work, calling upon us to be quick to share and slow to condemn. As we see immigrants pour in from elsewhere, an eternal perspective tells us they are facing eternity separated from His goodness, and now is the time to share. Not only does an eternal perspective motivate our work, but it also brings about urgency.
Immigration is a contentious issue that incites emotions, convictions, and opinions; we could spend much time discussing it. Yet, that's not my intention. Instead, there is no denying that movements and migrations of people are taking place, and my only intention is to motivate us to make disciples by stewarding the unique opportunity placed before us. I cannot speak with any level of certainty about what God is doing. What I can say is that He is sovereign, bringing to fruition His own will, and so we should think about immigration with an eschatological perspective, evangelistic perspective, and eternal perspective. Our view is not political but heavenly, looking at immigration eschatologically, evangelistically, and eternally so that we may be motivated to glorify God by making disciples of all tribes, tongues, and nations.
