In the press gaggle following today's vote, I was asked to defend the Biblical case for border security and immigration enforcement. I did so, and then promised to post a longer explanation that I drafted during the Biden Administration. Here it is, and I hope it's helpful: Despite the insistence of the progressive Left, people of all religious faiths should support a strong national border—and Christians CERTAINLY should. Critics are fond of citing particular Bible verses out of context to claim that Christians and Jews are being “unfaithful” if we oppose their radical open borders agenda. It has become increasingly important for us to set this record straight. Perhaps the verse most often cited by the Left is Leviticus 19:34. Whether they know it or not, that passage happens to be from the instructions Moses delivered to the Israelites when they were on their journey through the wilderness in Sinai, before they reached their own Promised Land. The verse reads as follows: “But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.” (KJV) CONTEXT IS CRITICAL It is, of course, a central premise of Judeo-Christian teaching that strangers should be treated with kindness and hospitality. We are each called to love God first and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Deut. 6:5, Lev. 19:18, Matt. 22:36-40, KJV). However, that “Greatest Commandment” was never directed to the government, but to INDIVIDUAL believers. The Bible teaches that God ordained and created four distinct spheres of authority— (1) the individual, (2) the family, (3) the church, and (4) civil government—and each of these spheres is given different responsibilities. For example, while each INDIVIDUAL is accountable for his or her own behavior (e.g., Exodus 20), the FAMILY is commanded to “bring up children in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4) and “provide for their relatives” (1 Tim. 5:8). The CHURCH is commanded to make disciples and equip people for the work of the ministry (Eph. 4:11-13), and the CIVIL GOVERNMENT is established to faithfully uphold and enforce the law so that order can be maintained in this fallen world, crime can be kept at bay, and people can live peacefully (Rom. 13, 1 Tim. 2:1-2). To be properly understood, anytime a command is given in Scripture, one must first determine to WHOM that command is directed. For example, when Jesus taught us as His followers to practice mercy and forgiveness and to “turn the other cheek” (Matt. 5:38-40, KJV), He was not giving that command to the government. To the contrary, when government officials ignore crime, they are directly VIOLATING their responsibilities before God. Indeed, the civil authorities are specifically charged to do justice, to ”bear the sword,” and to serve as “the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil” (Rom. 13:1-4, KJV). As the Bible warns: “When a crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong.” (Ecc. 8:11, TLB) Read in its context, the passage in Leviticus 19 makes perfect sense. Showing love and kindness to a stranger was not a command given to civil government, but instead to individual believers. That same principle is emphasized in the New Testament. When Jesus spoke of embracing, caring, and providing for “the least of these” (E.g., Matt. 25:31-40), His instruction was given to His disciples, and not the local authorities. The Bible is clear that Christians should practice personal charity—but also insist upon the enforcement of laws (like our federal immigration statutes) so that “every person is subject to the governing authorities” and “those who resist incur judgment” (Rom. 13:1-2). BORDERS ARE BIBLICAL Many on the Left today, and even some at the highest levels of our government, consider themselves “globalists” who envision a utopian world order where there are no borders between countries at all. Their fantasy will simply never be realized, and their basic premise (that man is inherently good and perfectible on his own) is the opposite of the Biblical truth that man is fallen and in need of redemption that is available only through salvation in Jesus Christ. The Bible speaks favorably and consistently about distinct nations of people (see, e.g., Gen. 18:18, Num. 32:17, Psalm 67:2, Matt. 28:19, Rev. 5:9, 7:9, NIV), and about borders and walls that are built to guard and secure people, property, and jurisdictions (see, e.g., Deut. 19:14, 27:17, 32:8, Acts 17:26, NIV). When Nehemiah heroically led the Jewish remnant to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem after their enemies had destroyed those walls, he was doing the noble work of God (Neh. 1-6, NIV). Maintaining a secure border is not an offensive measure, but a wise, defensive one to prevent chaos and safeguard innocent life. As Rev. Franklin Graham once summarized, “Why do you lock your doors at night? Not because you hate the people on the outside, but because you love the people on the inside so much.” THE CURRENT CATASTROPHE Right now, because of 64 deliberate policy choices and executive orders of the Biden Administration, America is facing an unprecedented humanitarian and national security catastrophe at our open southern border. More than 10 million illegal aliens from around the world have entered the U.S. since Joe Biden became President, the majority of whom are single, military-aged men. Among them are countless violent criminals and more than 300 suspects on the terrorist watchlist. Cartels are making billions trafficking young women and unaccompanied minors, and many are suffering unspeakable abuses along the way. The Fentanyl that China and the cartels have pushed into the U.S. has become the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-45. As the peril increases and communities across our country become more and more overwhelmed with the crushing financial burdens of managing the influx of illegals, American citizens (and even a few Democratic governors and mayors) are finally demanding a return to sanity. America has always been a haven for people legitimately seeking asylum from danger in their home country, but we must insist they pursue a course of legal immigration and not simply ignore our laws. Of course, the President of the United States must be the first to uphold our laws. Every citizen should insist that President Biden immediately use the eight broad statutory authorities he has right now to secure our borders and stop incentivizing illegal immigration. Among his most important executive authorities is 8 U.S.C. 1182(f), which empowers a President to “suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or nonimmigrants, or impose on the entry of aliens any restrictions he may deem to be appropriate” if he “finds that the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States.” AN AUTHENTIC CHRISTIAN RESPONSE Due in large part to our Judeo-Christian foundations and the deep religious heritage we enjoy in this country, America is the most benevolent nation in the world—by far. However, we cannot maintain that strength and generosity if we surrender our own safety and sovereignty. Preserving law and order and securing our borders should not be partisan issues, but matters of common sense. These are certainly responsibilities fully authorized by the Bible—and expected of us by God. Any time liberals attempt to bolster their “open borders” agenda by citing Scripture out of context, they should be kindly corrected with the facts (2 Tim. 2:24-25). Christians are called to love unconditionally, serve selflessly, and defend the defenseless. We are also called to stand for, and work to ensure, just government. Justice and mercy are not mutually exclusive pursuits. To the contrary, God specifically requires His people to practice both (Micah 6:8). Despite the unfounded claims of the Left, supporting a strong national border is a very Christian thing to do. The Bible tells us so.

Where is Shiri Bibas? It has been 503 days since Hamas brutally massacred 1,200 innocent men, women, and children. The scars of October 7 were ripped wide open today, twice. First, when Hamas handed over three bodies thought to be Shiri Bibas and her young children, Kfir and Ariel in exchange for the most despicable Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. Innocence traded for evil. Then a second time when we learned  the children’s bodies were indeed Kfir and Ariel but the adult body was NOT that of the mother Shiri Bibas who fought so valiantly during the attack. It was instead an anonymous body, unidentified, definitely not another hostage. Unimaginable. Babies - in captivity - hidden in a Hamas hell hole. The Editor-in-Chief of The Jerusalem Post wrote, "Was baby Kfir learning to walk? Did he begin to speak? Did he comprehend Hebrew or just the tongue of his kidnappers? Could Ariel play with toys, or was childhood taken from him entirely?” Kfir's first birthday was last month. Israelis sent orange balloons up into the air  His orange hair became a symbol of hope. The civilized world held onto that hope in November 2023 when Hamas said the mother and children were killed in an Israeli airstrike.  Why? Because we knew the word of Hamas is worthless. Maybe just another example of sick psychological warfare. So we kept hoping. Hope: A secret to Israel's survival. Its national anthem, “Hatikva” means "The Hope." That hope is gone for Kfir, and Ariel.  Where is courageous mother Shiri?

Today OCMG is volunteering at the @US_Hunger meal packing event sponsored by @Loews_Hotels Sapphire Falls at Universal Orlando. Last year we were part of the volunteers that packed 270,000 meals in one day and this year we all packed 450,000 meals! #ushunger #omg #ocmgevents

I love @MosabHasanYOSEF he takes no prisoners. A MUST SEE the son of H@m@s (Mosab Hassan Yousef), a Hostage From Gaza (Moran Stela Yanai) and a Jordanian Professor teach UCLA Encampment organizer (Aidan Doyle) in this epic exchange of words and emotions.

‼️1000 STUDENTS PUT THEIR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST LAST NIGHT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA ⏬😭 -Revival has come to this campus & I believe WILL come to every campus in America LETS CELEBRATE what Jesus is doing and fast and pray for more. (video- Jonathan Pokluda) #UF

This is precisely why it’s so disgusting to compare Trump to Hitler…

I challenge you to reach out to someone you disagree with about the war. Ask them how they’re feeling today. Have some empathy and try to understand their thoughts. Acknowledge their feelings, humanize them and work to find some common ground.

One year ago today, our country’s history was forever changed.

Happy Birthday to our amazing Videographer, Rich @13twentythree! We are always impressed by your work. You bring our events to life in the world of media! Have the BEST day! 📸 by @jaclynlryan - Rich caught in action at the @us_hunger MLK Day event this past January. #ocmg

Two Israeli hostages rescued during an overnight mission in Rafah. During a joint operation between the IDF, ISA, and Israel Police, two Israeli hostages from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak were rescued: Fernando Simon Marman (60) and Louis Har (70). They are both in good medical condition and were transferred for further medical examination in Israel.

For weeks I refrained from attending screenings for the press of Hamas' Oct 7. atrocities. I already knew the extent of the horrors. But I didn't anticipate the denial that followed. This ultimately pushed me to attend a screening and bear witness today. What did I see? 🧵

Some from Kfar Aza ❤️‍🩹

It's been 50 days since October 7. 50 days of mourning for those who were taken from us. 50 days of worrying about whether our family and friends are alive. 50 days of exposing undeniable evidence of Hamas' crimes against humanity. 50 days of fighting to ensure that October 7 will never happen again.

Mood:

The situation on the northern front is escalating. Dozens of rockets fired into Israel over the past few days. Daily drone infiltrations. Tens of thousands of Israelis remain displaced amid mandatory evacuation orders.

.@WHO has led a second @UN and @PalestineRCS mission to Al-Shifa Hospital in #Gaza today, under extremely intense and high-risk security conditions. 31 very sick babies were evacuated, along with 6 health workers and 10 staff family members. 6 Palestine Red Crescent ambulances were used for the transfer. The babies were taken to Al-Helal Al-Emairati Maternity Hospital, where they are receiving urgent care in the neonatal intensive care unit. Further missions are being planned to urgently transport remaining patients and health staff out of Al-Shifa Hospital, pending guarantees of safe passage by parties to the conflict. We’re deeply moved and impressed by the extraordinary bravery and service of the health workers in Gaza, who continue to serve under the most dire and difficult circumstances. We are grateful for the collaboration with Palestine Red Crescent, UN, and other partners.

43 days into the war, Hamas is still firing on central Israel.

Dear Pastors, Elders, Deacons and church leaders, remember this: If you miss youth, you miss the movement. God chose a teen boy named David to kill a giant. God chose a teen girl named Esther to save a people. Jesus chose mostly teenagers to be his apostles (with the sole exception of Peter who was over 20: Matthew 17:24-27.) It’s true throughout Scripture and it’s true throughout church history. God gave a 16 year old slave named Patrick a vision to reach Ireland for Christ. God used university students to spread the reformation across Europe. According to Jonathan Edwards, chief historian of the 1st Great Awakening that shook the colonies for God and prepared us to become a republic, “The revival has been chiefly amongst the young.” Teenagers come to Christ quicker and can spread the gospel faster and farther than adults. Give them the attention they deserve. Give youth leaders the budget they need to mobilize these young people as missionaries across your community. If you miss youth, you miss the movement! Don’t miss it!

Pentagon spokesperson also reads a statement declassifying US intelligence assessment on Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and their use of hospitals. “We do have information that Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad use some hospitals in the Gaza Strip, including the Al Shifa Hospital, as a way to conceal and support their military operations and hold hostages. They have tunnels underneath these hospitals. Hamas and PIJ members operate a command and control node from Al Shifa hospital in Gaza city, they have weapons stored there, and are prepared to respond to an Israeli military operation against the facility.”