“You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor. You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord. You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord. “ (Leviticus 19:15-18)
Our reading from Leviticus 19 commands the people of God “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus cited these words when he defined neighbor to be one’s fellow human being, no matter what race, ethnicity or religion. Thus these verses call us to deal honestly and truthfully with all people. We are not to cheat or lie. We are to seek justice for all, showing partiality to neither the rich nor the poor but to judge all with righteousness and equity. We are called to be charitable, hospitable, and gracious to all not just to our relatives or fellow countrymen. We should treat even the sojourners, the foreigners in our midst, as our neighbors. We cannot deny them justice or mistreat them in any way. These commands are extremely commendable and should form the basis for a social and legal structure that is kind and loving. But as believers, we know that it is impossible to implement without relying on the wisdom of God, faith in Jesus, and the strength of the Holy Spirit.
In the case of ancient Israel, we must remember that sojourners in the land, those we would today call aliens, were people from pagan lands, not Israelites. Yet they were to be tolerated and respected as long as they did not practice idolatry or create trouble for the Kingdom. Unfortunately, the ancient Israelites eventually failed to stop idolatrous practices, even failed to love their neighbors as the Lord commanded. They fell prey to the allure of foreign gods and goddesses which appealed to their sensual appetites and so suffered God’s punishment for their unfaithfulness.
At this stage, the Laws of modern America do not restrict the free exercise of religion. As Christians we should tolerate other religions, including the religions of immigrants and aliens. If such people are willing to live peaceably within our midst, then we ought to treat them with the love and compassion of Jesus Christ in obedience to God and as a testimony to the truth of our faith. The lives of all people matter to God even though He does not matter to all people. And yet He loves them. So should we.