Are you a Christian? Are you here in America illegally? Did you sneak over the border? I have some good news for you and I have some bad news.

First the bad news you have to go back to your native country and the reason is obvious it is because you are breaking the law. It is a felony to enter this country illegally and that is no small matter in the eyes of God. Don’t hang up, please let me finish what I have to say.

You might say, “I am an asylum seeker.” Did you enter the country illegally and then say that? Were you taught at the border to say that by your coyote?

To qualify for asylum one must demonstrate that you have suffered past persecution or have a well founded fear of future persecution in your home country. The persecution must be on account of one of these five protected grounds:

1. Race 
2. Religion
3. Nationality
4. Political opinion 
5. Membership in a particular social group. 

If you came here for reasons other than those five you don’t qualify for asylum and you must go back to your home country. Let’s say you came here because your home country is dirt poor and you are looking for a better life for you and your family. That does not qualify for asylum. And I suspect that is the main reason people come here, after all we are the richest country in the world probably the richest country in history.

So yeah I get it and I don’t blame you for wanting to come here but just think how many immigrants want to come here, there are 7 billion people in the world and I bet half of them would love to live here but that is simply not feasible. Having said that we allow more people that any other country in the world to immigrate here bar none. We have a very generous immigration policy, but we like to control it so we can decide how many and who. And so we have immigration laws just like virtually every country in the world.

This article is focused on two kinds of people, those who were Christian before they came here illegally and those who became Christian after they got here so lets talk about the former. While you were in your homeland did you pray about coming here? And what did the Lord say to you? Yes! Okay… but I don’t think so and I will tell you why.

Let me tell you a story, it is about a thief who became a Christian. He is a new born Christian so let us give him some latitude about his decision making process. Now he knows that stealing is wrong, everybody knows that so he’s fixing to quit but… maybe quit a little later  but right now he needs some quick cash, he’s got bills to pay and the kids need braces.

So he gets alone in his bedroom and begins to pray, he prays and prays for 2 hours he prays asking the Lord if it would be okay if he could rob the local Chase bank as long as it was his very last heist.  And bada bing he gets his answer, yes he can just as long as he doesn’t do it again. So he drives to the Chase bank pulls out his pistol and robs it.

Was it right for him to do that? Of course not, stealing is wrong no exceptions I think we would all agree on that. It was his immaturity in the Lord that enabled him to get his wires crossed. Most certainly God did not tell him it was okay the rob that bank.

So once again with that in mind I will ask you, did God tell you to immigrate to America illegally? The answer  should be obvious, no he did not and why, because it is against the law and God expects us all to be obedient to the laws of the land. Here is the scripture.

 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. Rom.13:1-5

Now you may say, “I know it is wrong what I did and I am truly sorry for what I have done and I have confessed this sin to the Lord and I believe he has forgiven me.” That is well and good but what are you going to do about it? In the story of the thief you would expect him to not only be sorry for what he did but to also turn himself in and suffer the consequences of his actions which would probably mean prison time.

And that is exactly what you must do, turn yourself in to the immigration authorities and do whatever they tell you to do which will probably mean being sent back to your native country. There simply is no other right way for you.

I know this is painful but think back, why did you want to come here? To tell Americans about Jesus? We already know about Jesus. For the money? To be richer perhaps, better clothes, better schools for your kids, better job opportunities a better car, a home of your home? Medical benefits, retirement. I could go on and on.

But what has scripture taught us? But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1Tim.6:6-10

Jesus said you cannot serve two masters either you will love the one and hate the other or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other you cannot love both God and money. And heaven is reserved only for those who love Him. 

Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? James 2:5

In conclusion go back home to your own country, if you do God will bless you for being obedient. Yes you will be poorer, you will work harder your kids will be less educated you will be less healthy and you will suffer in many other ways but you will have been obedient to our Lord and Master and when you die you will most certainly inherit a kingdom one that He has promised to us. You will be rich.

Finally let me briefly mention the Christian who became a Christian after he snuck into our country, the same principles apply to you, you must go back and in this way you show your love and your devotion to our Lord. If you say you love Him then do what he commands. You must obey the law no matter how much it hurts you, that it what He wants you to do.

Listen my dear brothers and sisters I know this is painful, very painful but sometimes God calls us to do the right thing even though it costs us dearly and I believe this is one of those times. Please consider this short letter that I have prayerfully written and God bless you, Amen.