The concerning and complicated path that unfolded into the separation of children from their parents during detainment and deportation proceedings is the unfortunate reality of decades of botched policy at our border. While the media was willing to give President Obama a free pass because it failed to fit its desired narrative of the time, once it came to light, my colleagues and I worked diligently to rectify the situation with a way forward and permanent legislative fixes.
Although the House came up short in passing comprehensive legislation to tackle the many failures of our current, outdated immigration system, there are plans in place to stop the separations of families. One measure I have cosponsored – H.R. 6134 – is a standalone bill that specifically addresses family separation at the border and reunites children who were disconnected from their parents as soon as possible. Importantly, it does this, while striking the proper balance between enforcement and compassion.
As a husband, father of two, and having spent more than twenty years as a minister of the Gospel, I believe the family unit is the cornerstone of our society. It is vital to so many other laws, principles, and teachings in the Bible and our culture. Family is an institution that God has designed and created from the beginning of mankind.
On both sides of the aisle, people – Democrats and Republicans – tend to spout more propaganda than facts and leave out some very important details in the process. In June, we heard one misguided assertion made by Democrat Representative Maxine Waters of California as she instructed her supporters, should they encounter anyone from President Trump’s Cabinet, to “…push back on them, and you tell them they’re not welcome anymore, anywhere,” then boldly declared, “God is on our side!”
It certainly makes you wonder how someone can claim the backing of God employs such divisive and destructive rhetoric, while supporting policies that are in opposition to God’s teachings. For instance, where is the outcry and support for Christian principles in knowing that daily 3,000 babies will tragically never be given a chance at life due to an abortion? And where is the outcry when individuals’ religious convictions are invalidated and they are forced into making a choice between what they believe in their hearts and what the government says they ought to be doing?
With tensions across our Nation rising and our culture shifting toward anger, what I take from this episode is that each of us should diligently search for God’s will and His cause, rather than proclaim Him to be aligned with our own. Without question, we are all in need of restoration and God’s grace. It isn’t our purpose to be conformed to the will of this world – nor to attempt to conform God to this proposition – but to pause and discern what is the acceptable and perfect will of God.
As we move forward, let’s remember Abraham Lincoln’s prophetic words, “Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.” Our Lord and Savior works to unite us, not divide us. So rather than looking through the lens that God takes sides in matters of politics, religion, or other aspects of life, let us focus on God’s eternal Gospel that serves as absolute truth in these matters. It seems fitting then to conclude that we are to stand on the side of truth, rather than flattering ourselves into expecting the truth to stand with us. The truth of the matter is, God is neither Republican nor Democrat.
Jody Hice is the U.S. Representative for Georgia’s 10th congressional district.
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of The Daily Caller.
