“We were not put on this earth to make life harder for one another. Our real purpose in life is to make life better for one another.” These profound words encapsulate the very essence of Christian living – a calling deeply rooted in Christian compassion and social justice. At its core, the Christian faith is defined by two foundational commandments: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” This directive, deceptively simple yet profoundly challenging, lays the groundwork for how followers of Christ are meant to engage with the world. It’s a commandment famously devoid of caveats, exclusions, or fine print, yet its application often becomes clouded by fear, prejudice, and political expediency.
The Bible makes it abundantly clear: it does not say, “love your neighbor as yourself, unless your neighbor is gay.” Nor does it say, “love your neighbor as yourself, unless your neighbor is an immigrant.” This universal command to love, therefore, demands an expansive and inclusive interpretation. Yet, a critical self-reflection is urgently needed within Christian communities today. We must honestly ask ourselves why so many Americans perceive Christians as hateful and lacking in love. If the outward expression of faith fails to embody genuine love and respect, the message it seeks to convey will inevitably fall on deaf ears. People simply won’t consider the message of the gospel if they believe you hate or disrespect them.
The Biblical Imperative: Welcoming Immigrants and Sojourners with Love
The scriptural call to care for the “sojourner” or “foreigner” is unambiguous and woven throughout the Old Testament, forming the basis of biblical hospitality for immigrants. God repeatedly commanded Israel to treat immigrants with kindness and fairness, reminding them, “When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:33-34). As World Vision explains, the terms “strangers” and “sojourners” in the Bible encompass anyone living among a different ethnic group, including modern-day refugees, asylum seekers, and foreign workers. This divine instruction transcends time, urging believers to extend unconditional hospitality, echoing Jesus’s Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), which defines “neighbor” expansively, beyond tribal or national lines.
The theological foundation for this welcome is deep, rooted in Israel’s own history of displacement and God’s character. The Bible doesn’t just command; it illustrates, showcasing numerous strangers whom God used to carry out his redemptive plan, from Pharaoh’s daughter to the Samaritan woman at the well. These narratives underscore that God’s love is not exclusive to one group, and neither should be the love of His followers.
However, the reality of immigration and Christianity in modern America has often starkly contrasted with this biblical mandate. The humanitarian refugee crisis on our southern border, for instance, presented a profound test for American Christianity, a test that many Christians failed miserably. Instead of reflecting Christ’s compassion for the “harassed and helpless crowds” (Matthew 9:35-38), the response was often callous, with many parroting divisive, hateful lies about these refugees, even when most were fellow Christians fleeing poverty and violence. A truly Christian response would have been immediate aid, resettlement assistance, and a spirit of welcome, rather than ignoring or rejecting them. It is difficult to overlook the role racism played in the cruelty shown by many American Christians toward brown-skinned Christians on our border.
Moral, Economic, and Ethical Imperatives for Supporting Immigrants
Beyond the explicit biblical commands for hospitality, there are compelling practical and moral arguments for embracing immigrants, rooted in both national interest and Christian ethics. Economically, immigrants offer significant benefits often overlooked in heated political discourse. The U.S. relies on immigration to fill jobs many native-born citizens won’t take, as well as many jobs with critical staffing shortages in sectors like healthcare and technology. Immigrants also contribute significantly to the nation’s economic stability by paying taxes and contributing to social security. Statistical evidence further suggests that immigrants are far less likely to engage in violent crimes than native-born citizens, dispelling common negative stereotypes.
Ultimately, however, we should help immigrants fleeing poverty and violence because it is the moral, and demonstrably Christian, thing to do. This is not merely an act of charity but an enactment of social justice and a reflection of divine character. As Matthew Soerens notes, “our first response to migrants and refugees should not be fear or rejection. Instead, we should prayerfully ask God what he might be doing through these circumstances and how we can join him to tell a better story by bearing the burdens of others and thus fulfill the law of Christ.” Embracing immigration, therefore, is not only economically prudent but deeply faithful to the Christian call to compassion – to make life better, not harder, for one another.
Embracing the LGBTQ+ Community with Unconditional Love and Dignity
The command to “love your neighbor as yourself” is not selective. It applies universally, without regard for a person’s identity, national background, sexual orientation, or gender identity. LGBTQ+ people deserve to live, to be loved, and to be safe. This includes transgender Americans, an acknowledgment that should not be controversial. We must preach this regularly from Christian pulpits alongside a plea for treating all humans with respect and dignity. The essence of Jesus’s ministry was radical inclusivity, extending compassion to the marginalized and ostracized. John Pavlovitz powerfully articulates this: “We don’t need to destroy anyone else in the name of our faith, and our love for God is measured by the way we care for our neighbors. We aren’t called to despise them, to erase them, to expel them—to fear them.” He contrasts this with a “Frankensteined faith made of rabid nationalism, culture war posturing, and terrified self-preservation,” urging believers to follow the “foot-washing, enemy-loving, humble, suffering Christ of the Gospels.”
While some evangelical views might emphasize “truth-telling” even if it’s perceived as unloving, a posture of genuine Christian humility invites believers to acknowledge our own human fallibility—recognizing that our theological interpretations could be mistaken, and ensuring that our treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals is always anchored in unwavering love, grace, and deep respect. The Christian witness is fundamentally undermined when its “love” is conditional, causes harm, or is used as an excuse to rationalize cruelty, discrimination, or violence. Elizabeth Banks reminds us that “love thy neighbor is a commandment, not a suggestion,” urging believers to “radiate positivity, kindness, and love” to all.
The Church bears responsibility for anti-LGBTQ+ animosity and violence when it fails to clearly and to regularly denounce such hatred against American citizens, who are, after all, made in the image of God, and are therefore worthy of tremendous respect and dignity.
Understanding the Interplay: The Great Commandment, Great Commission, and Social Justice
The interplay between the Great Commandment vs Great Commission is central to biblical ethics on social justice and faith’s engagement with the political sphere. Jesus himself affirmed the supremacy of these two loves, stating, “On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:40).
However, a tension often arises regarding the church’s role in society. Some argue for a clear distinction: the Great Commandment, which calls all people to love God and neighbor, applies broadly, while the Great Commission, focused on proclamation, sacraments, and discipleship, is specific to the church. They suggest that social action, while commendable and a “fruit” of the gospel, should not be confused with the primary mandate of the Great Commission.
Yet, people won’t consider your message of the gospel if they think you hate them or disrespect them. This implies that while social justice and acts of compassion may not be the Great Commission, they are an undeniable prerequisite for its effective fulfillment. When Christians demonstrate unconditional love, respect, and tangible support for those in need – whether immigrants or the LGBTQ+ community – they embody the love of Christ in a way that opens doors for the gospel message. Vern Poythress notes that “loving God implies loving your neighbor as well,” and that “love for God comes to visible manifestation when we love others.” The Great Commandment, therefore, isn’t just a separate moral duty; it’s the living expression that authenticates the Great Commission, making it palatable and believable in a world desperately seeking genuine love.
Challenging Divisive Ideologies: Hateful Rhetoric and Christian Nationalism
A significant challenge to authentic Christian witness comes from the rise of rhetoric that is seen as hateful and divisive. If Christians fail to respond to society with love and to treat others with respect, it’s unlikely society will respond to Christians with love and respect. This is particularly evident in the growing influence of Christian nationalism’s impact.
Christian nationalism, often intertwined with political movements like MAGA, tends to hold extreme views that contradict historic biblical values regarding immigrants and those on the margins of society. Jesus consistently upended the status quo of the religious leaders of his time, and championed the marginalized. In contrast, white American Christianity often defends the status quo, and its politicized faith leads to positions antithetical to the radical inclusivity and compassion taught by Jesus. John Pavlovitz warns against a “counterfeit religion” that is “continually petrified narcissism that vilifies the other, and sanctions bigotry and demands blood,” standing in stark contrast to Jesus’s example as “a homeless traveler whose family struggled to find welcome” and who “lived and ministered in poverty.”
Research by PRRI (2023) shows a strong correlation: Christian nationalism adherents and sympathizers are significantly more likely to hold negative views on immigrants and immigration policy (49% of adherents would only vote for candidates sharing their views on immigration). Furthermore, this ideology is linked to opposing LGBTQ+ civil rights, including nondiscrimination laws (52% of adherents oppose) and same-sex civil marriage (77% of adherents oppose.) Harvard Divinity School’s Kristin Kobes Du Mez explains that for many white evangelicals, views on immigration are shaped less by scripture and more by a “militant masculinity” worldview that perceives the nation as vulnerable and the border as a site of danger, wrongly linking immigrants to terrorism. This worldview, often fueled by conservative media, creates an “us vs. them” mentality that undermines biblical calls to hospitality and Christian love.
Jace Woodrum of the ACLU of South Carolina identifies Christian nationalism as “the single biggest threat to religious freedom in the United States today.” He defines its core components: a belief in a Christian nation, a political ideology aiming for Christian primacy to address “immorality,” and a rejection of religious freedom in favor of a distortion of both faith and democracy. This ideology manifests in harmful ways, such as governmental funding of religious education through vouchers and censorship in schools that whitewash history. Such rhetoric not only alienates potential converts but fundamentally misrepresents the nature of God’s love. When Christians participate in or condone hateful language and policies against any group, we fail to live out the gospel. Jesus, facing constant societal pressures and political turmoil, modeled a steadfast commitment to love and truth that transcended the limitations of earthly power and human prejudice. For Christians to regain their moral authority and effectively share the message of Christ, they must actively dismantle and reject any ideology, including Christian nationalism, that breeds hatred, fear, and disrespect towards any of God’s children.
Conclusion: A Renewed Commitment to Love, Dignity, and Inclusive Christian Action
The foundational call to “love your neighbor as yourself” is not merely a suggestion; it is a Christian mandate that defines the very essence of Christian compassion and social justice. As followers of Christ, our mission necessitates an expansive, unconditional love Christian faith that embraces immigrants, refugees, and the LGBTQ+ community without exception. The failure of many American Christians to embody this love, particularly during humanitarian crises and in their attitudes towards marginalized communities, calls for urgent introspection and decisive action. Indeed, Jesus must weep at our failure to live the gospel when our actions contradict the very heart of his teachings.
A faithful Christian response demands more than rhetoric; it requires tangible acts of kindness, advocacy for justice, and a steadfast commitment to treating all individuals with dignity and respect. It means rejecting ideologies, like Christian nationalism, that foster fear and division, and instead embracing the inclusivity that Jesus demonstrated throughout his ministry. By doing so, Christians can dismantle the perception that they are “hateful and lacking in love,” thus creating a space where the transformative message of the gospel can truly be heard. This is a renewed Christian call to compassion – a call to action to live out the Great Commandment with integrity, allowing genuine love to be the distinguishing mark of our faith, ensuring that every neighbor feels loved, safe, and valued, just as Christ intended. This does not mean that Christians are required to approve of everything others do, but it does mean we must treat all others, who after all are made in the image of God, with respect and with dignity. And who is it that is made in the image of God that we are to treat with respect and dignity? Everyone, especially those who are marginalized and easy to ignore or dislike. Just as Jesus did.
Dr. Beaux Bonhoeffer
Find me also @beauxbonhoeffer.bsky.social and at beauxbonhoeffer.substack.com
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