Here at Not the Bee, we've already discussed the ways that supporting a strong border is the loving, Christian thing to do, even if it's portrayed quite differently in the media. This is fine and good, but what about the people that are already here, how far should we allow ourselves to respond to a deluge of post-Christian, woke liberal nonsense that insinuates we should lay down our arms to peacefully accept every single person as our neighbor, even if they mean us harm?
My brother, Seth, has recently been involved in a discussion about this on X:
There's a lot to go through for those that want the full background, but the basic concept is that Seth was being scolded by some "scholarly" X users and told that pacifism, acceptance and blind "love" are the only ways to treat others, even when they threaten you and your family. This, as we are told by the false prophets of our day, is how Jesus would handle a scenario like a home invasion.
Well, it turns out the Bible has something to say about all this. (Shocker!)
Beyond the obvious reference to defending oneself against home invasion that is laid out in Exodus 22, the first thing to understand about the Bible's take on this, and honestly parenting and life in general, is that "love" is not a synonym for coddling. In our modern world, dominated by materialism and instant gratification (and groups like the "Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence"), we are made to believe that loving somebody means giving them what they want, when they want it. Is somebody breaking into your home? Let them take what they want, and turn your other cheek. If an illegal immigrant demands a place to stay, we are told (by those that don't really understand the Bible) that the only "Christian" thing to do is to take them in. But is it really?
Of course not. The Bible presents God as both loving and just. Psalm 33:5 says:
He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.
This indicates that love does not ignore wrongdoing but seeks what is right, fair, and good.
Hebrews 12:6 says:
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.
This suggests that correction and discipline are compatible with love, aiming at the betterment and growth of the individual.
And so the point to be made is this: loving your neighbor as yourself is not about "peace" or "comfort," it is about treating them as they should be treated to be pointed back to goodness and the Lord, and to be held accountable for their actions. I'd argue many of us don't really understand this about the call in Leviticus to love your neighbor as you love yourself. If you truly love yourself, you seek correction when you are wrong, you seek advice and counsel when you need help, you accept responsibility for wrongs that you have committed, and you also acknowledge the right of others to stop you in your tracks if you are trespassing on their own peace and security.
This point is not nuanced at all, it is the written word of God in reference to how we should want to be treated, and how we should treat others. Holding people accountable for their actions is a Biblical expression of love, both for the individual and for the community. Accountability seeks to address and rectify wrongs, encourage personal growth, and protect others from harm. In the context of criminal justice, Romans 13:1-4 discusses the role of governing authorities as representatives of God for maintaining order and executing wrath on wrongdoers. This passage suggests that societal laws and their enforcement, including punishing violent criminals, are necessary for the well-being of the community.
So when you are told by the world that you must turn the other cheek when your family's safety is threatened, because that's what a real Christian would do, tell them this:
Loving your neighbor, including those who have done wrong, means seeking their ultimate good. This includes the desire for them to recognize their wrongdoing, experience genuine repentance, and make amends. It also means working towards a just and safe society where the rights and dignity of all are protected. This love does not ignore or excuse harmful behavior but seeks ways to address it, and sometimes this requires immediate (and violent) retaliation, not as an act of vengeance, but as protection of life. It balances mercy with justice, compassion with accountability, and kindness with the need for safety and order.
