In the last several days, certain members of the Christian clergy have come forward proclaiming their plans to provide a "safe harbor" for illegal aliens.  Those participating have named their cause, "The New Sanctuary Movement".  In other words, certain church leaders are now providing sanctuaries (shelter, food, etc.) for people who are breaking the law.  Those of the cloth who have "come out" on this issue are mainly theological lefties.  Nice people who for the most part would never think of breaking the law otherwise.   They might admit to getting a traffic ticket for speeding during one of their sermons, but they would never tell their congregants that they should disregard the speed limit laws while driving.   
      
     Here's another example to help illustrate the hypocrisy of this cause: If a member of their flock came to them with the sincere question, "Should I pay my federal income tax?", they would most likely say yes without pausing to think about it.  Pastors and priests from all sides of the fence would likely say that every American should definitely pay their income tax.  
    
      And then, to help explain why we all should pay our federal income tax, a pastor would normally turn to the Bible for answers.
    
      There are a couple of Bible verses that are commonly referenced when questions arise on the extent a person should submit to laws and governmental authorities.  Let's take a look at them.

    "They say unto him, Caesar's.  Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's."  Matthew 22:21 (Mark 12:17; Luke 20:25)

     This is an often quoted Bible verse on the subject of obeying the government for today.  In today's English, Jesus is saying here to pay to your government the things which are the government's; and pay to God the things that are God's.  

     Here's a second verse found in 1 Peter 2:13:  "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be the king as supreme;"

     Another verse:  "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give an account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief:  for that is unprofitable for you."  Hebrews 13:17 

     Jesus, Peter, and Paul never did ask anyone to break the law.  In the Bible, the only example of someone legitimately breaking a law was when Daniel did not follow the king's orders to worship him as a God.  It is only when asked to do something immoral (contrary to established moral principals) that a Christian could even consider breaking a law.

     So, considering that there are immigration laws on the books here in the U.S., one would logically conclude that those laws should be obeyed.   We all expect speed limit laws and income tax laws to be obeyed.  So why would immigration laws be different?

     If a fugitive on the run came to your door and asked if they could hide in your basement, would you let them in? 

     Most American citizens of all religious or non religious persuasions would not consider harboring a known felon.  A lawbreaker is a lawbreaker regardless of the law that has been broken.

      So what's up with the double standard?

     There is no moral justification for a Christian to participate in The New Sanctuary Movement.  

     Please spare us any attempts to compare today's illegal immigrants to the slaves of America's past.  The comparisons are nonexistent. 

     Sojourner Truth and other abolitionist heroes were morally justified to break the slave trade laws of the Confederacy because of the immoral nature of the slave business and the fact that human beings were being treated in unprincipled ways.  The slaves of that time did not willfully choose to leave their homelands and cross the U.S. borders to establish new homes.  They were dragged across the border in chains.   They also did not willfully refuse to assimilate into the American culture and ignore the country's predominate language.  And the American slaves of the 19th century certainly did not have access to free governmental health care, social services, education, and free/low rent housing.

     And speaking of dragging people across the border:  Actually, there are a few illegal aliens here in the U.S. who didn't choose to be here.  They're called sex slaves.  Another good reason to secure our borders is the scourge of human trafficking.  Right in the heart of America recently, in a suburb of Kansas City, a huge sex trade operation was broken up by the F.B.I.  It turned out that not only were the girls used as prostitutes brought into the country illegally, but also the ringleader of the operation was in the U.S. with an expired visa.

    I could go on a long time with more examples of why people should not participate in the New Sanctuary Movement.  It's a very small ripple of a movement made by a few misguided souls.   

     It's unfortunate that a few members of the Christian body are allowing their politics to circumvent their spiritual integrity and their common sense.