Stephen Mattson

I believe in the Bible, but I also believe the main purpose of the Bible is to point me to Jesus.

And I believe it tells me that Jesus is God and that I should try my best to love God and love my neighbors. And it tells me that the best way to do this is be like Jesus.

And I believe the Bible reveals Jesus to be extraordinarily kind, just, merciful, gracious, forgiving, and loving.

So when I ask myself: “How would Jesus treat immigrants and refugees?” I honestly think he would do something kind, just, merciful, gracious, forgiving, and loving for them.

They will say it’s important to follow the Bible, but fail to accept that the ultimate purpose of the Bible is to actually follow Jesus.

Much like when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by having scripture quoted to Him, people similarly use the Bible to avoid being Christlike.

One side stresses the importance of “being biblical” while the other prioritizes “being Christlike.”

Do unto others…

Love your neighbor…

If you were an immigrant, how would you like to be treated?

Do current deportation policies and tactics embody any of these Christian virtues?

But too often, spiritual power is abandoned for the sake of gaining—or maintaining—political power.

But the lessons taught throughout the Bible make it abundantly clear: a Christlike faith often requires people to deny their partisan allegiances.

Loving thy neighbors is more important to God than promoting political agendas.