Virtue Signaling is All That Remains

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective

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The Baptist Paper is produced by “TAB Media Group, which has published The Alabama Baptist newspaper since 1843.”[1] I’m often left empty after reading through it because so much of it seems to apply to nothing. The only two sections I find interesting are the ones labeled Bible Studies for Life and Explore the Bible. There are bits of international happenings as well, but it seems much of the paper is composed of pablum, in my opinion.

Moreover, it also seems as though there is somewhat of a push toward Leftism. Seems to be continual; a bit here, a bit more there. Others might disagree with my assessment. However, looking a bit closer to one particular article titled, A Christian response to immigration, seems to be in line with how many on the Left (within Christendom), appear to think.

In his short article, author Chris Turner highlights four ways that Christians “can navigate current immigration issues while following Jesus’ command to make His gospel known among the nations.”[2]

1. Pray
2. Serve
3. Proclaim
4. Prudence

He of course, takes the time to fill out each particular bullet with concrete ways in which Christians can fulfill the Great Commission of Matthew 28. Turner then ends his short article with this particular paragraph.

Yes, we need enforceable immigration laws, and people coming to the U.S. need to abide by those laws. But will those who reach our shores seeking a promised land find Christians ready to seize divinely appointed moments to introduce them to the God who offers them the Promised Land?

Okay, Chris Turner, let me make a few notations here. First of all, the United States already has enforceable immigration laws. The problem is that they have not been enforced by previous administrations to the current Trump administration. Secondly, those who reach our shores to simply walk in, are entering this country illegally. If they followed international law, they would apply for asylum at an embassy closest to their home country. That means they would not simply illegally walk into America and then apply for asylum. Many people illegally entering this country are men of military age from countries like El Salvador, Argentina, Haiti, Mexico and China along with many other foreign nations. They are already breaking international law by coming directly into the USA. Once here, they are (or were under Biden), given housing, daily food and even pre-charged debit cards. They’ve been put up at 5-star hotels and essentially allowed to do what they want to do while they wait for their asylum claim to work itself out.

We are also finding out through DOGE that millions of those illegally here are being given Social Security benefits, which is patently illegal. Only those who have spent years paying into Social Security have the right to receive monthly stipends from it. Yet, the Left is more than fine with using Social Security as their personal slush fund (one of many), to outfit and support people who have come to this country illegally. It’s all part of the planned overthrow of America by bringing in people who have no loyalty to this country and spending America into financial oblivion, destined for a default and hard financial reset.

Turner’s final paragraph is good for virtue signaling, but that may be all. I wonder if Turner spent any time with gang members from foreign countries who simply waltzed into America and took over apartment complexes? Did he minister to them or try to reach out to them with the Gospel? Did he invite any of them into his home? Did he give them room and board? Isn’t that part of what sharing the Gospel means (James 2:16)? I’m guessing no, but I’d love to proven wrong. Seems that those who cry the loudest about the deportations want the government to take care of all those people, but they themselves don’t open their doors or personally feed them.

I’m quite certain that there are good people trying to get into the USA. Unfortunately, those people are nearly completely eclipsed by those whose intentions are not good and in any case, everyone coming into the USA by illegal means is breaking America’s laws. Turner seems to be saying that we should set all this aside and simply view them as people in need. Of course, their biggest need is salvation. I’d agree with that, but there’s more to it than that.

Did he spend time preaching to the members of Tren de aragua from El Salvador? How about the many different gangs from Argentina? Did he go to the apartment complexes in Colorado and elsewhere that were said to have been taken over by gang members and preach the good news of Jesus to them?

Cue the Left here so they can teach us all about the fact that they say Jesus was a refugee, whose parents fled to Egypt and He didn’t have a passport, etc, so basically, He and His parents were in Egypt illegally, right? Wrong.

The old Roman Empire was extremely large after having gobbled up the previous Grecian Empire and then continued to expand it (see image). During Jesus’ day, the Roman Empire extended all the way from what is the UK today, down to most of Egypt and the upper portion of Africa. What this means is that traveling to one of the areas within the Roman Empire meant you remained in the Roman Empire. It’s no different from going from one state within the USA to another. It’s all within the confines of the United States. Only when leaving the USA do I need a passport. Passports began in the USA during the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783) and were essentially pieces of paper printed on both sides. The earliest passport type of document was issued “In the 12th century, the Republic of Genoa issued a document called Bulletta, which was issued to the nationals of the Republic who were traveling to the ports of the emporiums and the ports of the Genoese colonies overseas, as well as to foreigners who entered them.”[1]

Passports have been around for millennium but generally not required documentation to travel from one place to another. In the Bible, Nehemiah asked for a letter for his travels from the king, Artaxerxes I (Nehemiah 2:7–9). Though it was not necessary for Nehemiah to have this letter, having it would certainly open doors for him and grant him safe(r) passage.

Moreover, the old Roman Empire did not have general visas or passports that were issued to everyone. I’m not even sure how that could be done. It was enough for people to be able to prove they were citizens of Rome, through some form of documentation. Anyone, including travelers could go anywhere throughout the empire or even leave it and come back into it. The only law that existed was the law enforced by Roman soldiers and most people feared them and did everything they could to stay out of their line of sight.

When Jesus’ parents fled to Egypt because God instructed Joseph to do so, it was because Herod wanted to kill Jesus (Matthew 2:16). Joseph and Mary simply picked up and moved to another portion of the Roman Empire, in Egypt. Eventually, after Herod died, Joseph was given the freedom to relocate back to where he had come from prior to leaving for Egypt. The danger was over for Jesus so it was safe to return home (Matthew 2:19-23).

There is nothing here that indicates Jesus’ parents did anything illegal. They were not “illegal aliens” or “refugees” breaking the law. They simply moved from one part of the Roman Empire to another. Conversely, most to all of those who simply enter into the USA through open borders are breaking the law; both international and this country’s laws. They claim asylum, but in many to most cases, they don’t need asylum, they simply want to take advantage of the lax policies created under the Biden administration. If I waltzed into Canada, Mexico or many other foreign countries, I’d be arrested as soon as I was found out. But here in America, we are supposed to simply take anyone who wants to come in? There are legal methods of gaining entry into the USA and I’m sorry Chris Turner seems to gloss over all of that.

I reread the article by Chris Turner and I couldn’t find where he mentioned any of this. In his article, he asks the following question: What if a large number of undocumented immigrants were saved, baptized and set on the road to discipleship before being deported? What if, Chris?

Chris is under the impression that the mission field is arriving to America and we should make the best of it. To some extent I agree, however, I would seriously caution anyone who believes the majority of the military aged men arriving to the USA are open to hearing the Gospel.

Has Turner ever been part of any prison ministry? I have and it can be rewarding if that’s what God calls a person to do. This doesn’t mean we overlook the crimes of the individual we are ministering to and in fact, I never got the impression from anyone I ministered to in jail that they expected special privileges at all. They were open to the Gospel and they participated in Bible studies I led. I’m hopeful that they became believers and/or stronger believers because of the time I spent with them and prayed for them.

To me, Turner’s nearly entire line of thinking seems to mock law and order, something Jesus Himself supported. He came to fulfill the Law, not abolish it (Matthew 5:17–48). He respected the law and so should we.

Maybe I’m too critical (though I like to think it’s just my critical thinking skills coming to the fore). However, I know for a fact that it often takes years for actual missionaries to establish the work they’ve been called to perform in foreign countries. Too often, the results of their efforts and prayers take months and even years to see results; people coming to Jesus for salvation. The idea that the majority of people illegally entering this country with their hands out and empty expecting to be filled to overflowing seems to be the reason they came here.

Christians need to be very careful about using the Gospel as an excuse to allow people to skirt the law of any land. While yes, our hearts should go out to everyone who needs to hear the Gospel, we should be wary of those who are using situations to enrich themselves off the backs of American taxpayers.

[1] https://thebaptistpaper.org/our-story/

[2] The Baptist Paper, March 13, page 5

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective

Source: https://studygrowknowblog.com/2025/04/04/virtue-signaling-is-all-that-remains/