By Joseph J. Bucci ——Bio and Archives--September 27, 2024
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We are inundated with multiple stories of aliens each week. There are some aliens about which our government has kept records and artifacts, all the while denying their existence (Tingley, 2023). These are the space aliens; and it’s not just “Star Trek” science fiction anymore.
Then there are the criminal aliens who have wreaked havoc and destruction in numerous incidents across our country (FAIR, 2024). These stories are the ones that get the most press. We want them gone – or at least a majority of Americans polled seem to want this (Crisp, 2024). We want them sent back to the places from where they came, if that is even possible.
Are all of these border crossers criminals? One National Institute of Justice study (2024) looked at data from the Texas Department of Public Safety (NIJ, 2024). The study found that undocumented immigrants are arrested at less than half the rate of native-born US citizens for violent and drug crimes; and a quarter of the rate of native-born citizens for property crimes. This study makes it sound like the people crossing our border are less violent than our own population – how interesting! It does not seem possible that there are good aliens among the criminals, because how could they be so good if they are violating our sovereignty by crossing our border illegally?
All this talk of aliens has got me thinking about my own status – alien status that is. Kruschwitz (2009) wrote that Christians struggle with learning their identity as disciples of Christ, which makes us aliens in our own country. The Bible clearly tells us that our citizenship is in God’s kingdom (Philippians 3:20), and we are to live as strangers and aliens in the world (1 Peter 2:11).
The Apostle Peter used this term several times in his first letter. He references the term immediately as he opens the letter, writing “to those who reside as aliens,” (1 Peter 1:1 NASB 1995). This was partly true due to the “Dispersion” that occurred, with the Christians who were scattered due to increased persecution (see Acts 8:1). But this also aligned with the Apostle Paul’s statement about where our citizenship resides (Philippians 3:20).
Peter writes that we were “once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; [once] you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:10). He follows this thought with the admonition to “live as aliens and strangers in this world,” so that we might free ourselves from the fleshly lusts that this world offers, which war against our souls (1 Peter 2:11).
There is much in the New Testament that describes our walk in this world as aliens:
If this is true, and we are aliens and strangers in this world according to the scriptures, then we have some kinship with these other aliens. There is much here in this world from which we should be separated (Romans 12:1-2). We are not flying around in capsules, but we do not align ourselves to the culture of this world, but instead live as “in the world but not of the world” (John 17:14-15).
Jesus Himself urged His followers to care for the aliens among us, speaking to His disciples about the Final Judgment before the Throne of God, noting that He came among His people as an alien, and then how did we respond? “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger (foreigner) and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35 ESV). As aliens ourselves, we are called to remember the castaways among us (Galatians 2:10; James 1:27).
While Christians are called to be compassionate and merciful towards the alien and immigrants (Exodus 22:21), the Bible is also solidly in favor of a government establishing laws that have to be obeyed. In the book of Romans Chapter 13, Paul writes that God expects us to obey the laws that the government has established (Romans 13:1-7). Therefore, those who violate those laws are violating not only the laws of government, but the laws of God (Got Questions, n.d.). There would be an exception to us honoring the laws of a government which sets us in opposition to a specific commandment of God (Acts 5:29).
I fight the battle within my mind to want things fixed here on earth, in my own country; and focus my attention and yes, lots of prayers, on the outcome of our upcoming elections. I am wondering if we as the remnant remaining people of God have become so politically-minded and incensed by the ravages of the criminal aliens that we have lost the ability to proclaim truth and allow the spirit of God to speak through us, in order for our Redeemer King to transform the hearts of these hollow darkened souls – those criminal aliens, as well as the leaders who do nothing to stop this movement.
I must recognize that events in this world are destined to spin further and further out of control. We regularly face tribulations, and we know that these trials will only increase (John 16:33). Yet it is My King and Redeemer who keeps things steady: “When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I [the Lord] who keep steady its pillars” (Psalm 75:3).
It seems historically that the Church of Christ advances further in the midst of persecution (Acts 5:41-42; Acts 8:1). This was the case of the church of Smyrna, recognized by Jesus in Revelation Chapter 2 (2:8-11). Their reward for faithfully living as aliens in their world? They would be severely tested; but in the end earn the Crown of Life Eternal (Revelation 2:10).
May we live in such a way that the natives of our land, as well as any aliens with whom we come in contact, see in our lives people who follow a path different than the culture, what Graham calls, “resident aliens” (Graham, 2024). Instead of my pointing to my MAGA hat, may I point people to a Father who desires to save and to redeem every soul (1 Peter 3:9). Right now, we are marooned here on this planet, aliens in a strange land which is not our eternal home. But soon the ‘Great Transporter’ will whisk us away to ever be with our King and Ruler (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17).
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Joseph J. Bucci has served as a Pastor, Author, HR Director, Director of Training, Professor and Consultant. He teaches in the College of Arts and Sciences at Regent University in Virginia Beach. He has written two books and numerous articles on the theme of integrating faith with life and our work. You can contact Dr. Bucci at: Joseph J Bucci