By: Brian Evans
Conservative Christians keep hearing political leftists state lines like…
“If Jesus were here today, He’d want open borders,” or question if “Conservatives and Christians would deport Jesus if he crossed the border illegally today.”
On the surface, their justification sounds alright, but if you dig into the scripture, it rings hollow… turning out to be more of a moral shortcut meant to stop the conversation before it starts. In fact, the more you truly evaluate Scripture, and the more you understand how God designed nations, order, and human responsibility, the clearer it becomes that this claim doesn’t hold up to biblical teachings, to historical realities, or logical sensibilities.
In fact,what the Bible actually teaches paints a very different picture… One where compassion and responsibility walk hand in hand, and where nations have both the right and the obligation to protect their people.
This isn’t about shutting the door on anyone. It’s about holding the door responsibly, not tearing it off the hinges and pretending that chaos is compassion… Which is exactly what the Democrat Party of today is promoting, and too many churches who have chosen to embrace capitulation with worldly values, rather than remain steadfast in God’s biblical principles!
- God Established Nations — and He Drew Their Borders
Before anyone tries to argue that national boundaries are un-Christian, they need to look at what Scripture says. The Bible doesn’t shy away from the idea of nations. In fact, God created them, stating…
“From one man He made all nations… and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.”
— Acts 17:26
Think about that:
God didn’t just allow borders — He determined them.
Borders weren’t created out of hatred or fear. They were created to give order, identity, and responsibility to human communities. A world with no borders is a world with no structure. And God never once calls His people to tear those boundaries down.
- The Bible Treats Borders as Sacred, Not Optional
Scripture speaks directly to the importance of respecting boundaries — and not just property lines.
Borders carried weight. They represented identity, inheritance, and the rule of law. “Do not move your neighbor’s boundary marker.” — Deuteronomy 19:14
In modern terms, this would be like saying:
Respect other people’s nations. Respect their laws. Respect their sovereignty.
And when Israel was traveling during the Exodus, God specifically told them not to cross the borders of Edom, Moab, or Ammon without permission (Deuteronomy 2). They had a need, but need did not cancel out another nation’s rights.
God cared about borders because God cares about order.
- The “Stranger” in Scripture Was a Legal Immigrant — Not Someone Breaking the Law
This point is often misunderstood, sometimes intentionally. When the Old Testament commands Israel to care for the “stranger” (Hebrew: ger), it is not talking about someone who illegally slipped into the nation. A ‘ger’ was someone who entered the nation lawfully,
respected Israel’s laws, and willingly integrated into the community.
This is why God says:
“One law shall be for the native-born and for the stranger who resides among you.”— Exodus 12:49
There wasn’t one set of rules for citizens and a completely different standard for foreigners. Everyone was responsible to the law. Everyone was accountable.
The Bible never rewards illegal entry or lawlessness — it supports lawful joining of a community.
- Governments Are Responsible Before God to Protect Their People
Romans 13 makes this uncomfortably clear for people who think “Christian love” means a nation must shrug at crime or law-breaking:
“For the governing authority is God’s servant for your good… But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain.”— Romans 13:4
God gives governments real authority — not symbolic authority — to:
enforce laws, secure borders, vet who enters the country,
and remove (yes, deport) those who violate the law.
A border you cannot enforce is not a border. It’s a suggestion. Sadly, this has been the case under the Biden Administration, with many Americans who paid a steep price for our governments failure in regards to enforcing border laws and the safety and security of our nation and communities. Just a few examples of Americans who paid a steep price include:
*Jocelyn Nungaray — 12-year-old girl (Houston, Texas, 2024)
Jocelyn was found dead after being kidnapped, raped, and murdered. Prosecutors charged two men — described as Venezuelan illegal immigrants — with capital murder, kidnapping, and aggravated sexual assault.
Her death became a focal point in debates over border security and immigration enforcement.
*Nabra Hassanen — 17-year-old girl (Sterling, Virginia, 2017)
Nabra was abducted, raped, and murdered by a man identified as an illegal immigrant from El Salvador. That man ultimately pleaded guilty to multiple counts of capital murder, rape, and abduction.
*Genesis Cornejo‑Alvarado — 15-year-old girl (Houston, Texas, 2017)
Genesis was found shot to death and her death was tied to two men — described as members of the gang MS-13, and alleged to be undocumented immigrants — who were charged with murder and aggravated kidnapping.
In the same case, a 14-year-old girl was reportedly kidnapped, assaulted, and forced to take drugs.
This is why God doesn’t entrust nations to “suggestions.” He entrusts them to order, responsibility, and protection… And that is why President Donald J. Trump has been working to restore our borders, our communities, and our citizens!
- Compassion and Security Are Not Opposites
The left likes to paint a picture where compassion demands open borders… as if the only way to love people is to erase every standard, every law, and every protection. But that’s not biblical compassion… It’s recklessness dressed up as kindness. In fact, the same Bible that tells us to love our neighbor also tells us:
To protect the innocent, to uphold justice,
to punish wrongdoing, and to be wise in how we handle the vulnerable.
Caring for people doesn’t mean letting cartels exploit them… It doesn’t mean letting fentanyl pour into communities… It doesn’t mean ignoring the suffering of Americans already here.
Real compassion has boundaries!!!
- President Trump’s Border Policies Are Completely Aligned with Biblical Principles of Order and Responsibility
When President Donald J. Trump and Vice President JD Vance pushed for:
a secure border, a functioning immigration system,
deportation of criminals, and fairness for those who follow the law. He wasn’t acting in opposition to Christian teaching, but instead was doing exactly what Romans 13 describes… Protecting the nation and enforcing justice.
Millions of lawful immigrants have done things the right way. They followed the rules, respected the law, took the oath to the United States Constitution, and they worked hard. Sadly, open borders don’t honor those people, but instead it undermines them… And Trump’s stance reflects something simple and biblical:
A loving nation can have a warm heart and still have locked doors.
- Jesus Loved the Poor — But He Never Erased Responsibility or Law
Any honest reading of the Gospels shows that Jesus never confused compassion with chaos. Yes, He loved deeply. He healed the hurting. He welcomed those who sought Him.
But Jesus also:
honored authority, affirmed the law, respected boundaries,
held people accountable for their behavior, and taught responsibility alongside mercy.
Jesus never told Rome to tear down its borders…
He never told Israel to abandon its national identity…
He never implied that nations lose their purpose when they enforce law.
His message transformed hearts — not immigration policy.
Conclusion: Jesus Wouldn’t Support Open Borders — He Would Support Honest Compassion and Responsible Order
This entire debate really comes down to one simple truth:
Loving people and protecting your nation are not enemies. They’re partners.
The Bible never promotes borderlessness… It never rewards lawlessness… And the Bible never tells nations to neglect the safety of their own people.
Instead, Scripture teaches:
God makes nations, establishes borders, expects leaders to enforce justice, and calls people to compassion and responsibility.
Meanwhile, foreigners were always welcomed, but through lawful, respectful entry.
When Christians support secure borders, legal immigration, and the kind of order President Trump fought for and continues to fight for, we’re not abandoning Christ’s teachings… We’re living them out.
Compassion with wisdom… Justice with mercy… Safety with generosity… Law with love.
That is biblical, moral, and that is how a nation thrives.
Brian Evans for Joplin 