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I read an interesting article in the paper this week, the purpose of which seemed to be to inform the public of the high cost of association with illegal immigrants who commit crimes. However, there was a tone to the article that seemed to suggest that the reader should at least be upset, if not outraged, by the situation. I found myself feeling just the opposite.
The writer chronicled the estimated cost of the investigation, the defense attorney and the prosecution. A hefty sum of money was required for all of that. While my preference would be that no crimes would be committed so that no prosecution, defense or incarceration would be needed, I am glad that when they are committed, that the accused gets a lawyer, whether he can afford to pay for it or not.
Obviously, none of us are in favor of illegal activity. Be it illegal immigration or the sale of illegal drugs — the two crimes that were at issue in this case — crime is crime, illegal activity is illegal, and we would prefer that it not occur at all.
Yet, when it does happen, living in a country, a state, or a county where certain basic rights are given to the accused, is a blessing. The greatness of our nation depends not so much on the strength of our strongest citizens, the knowledge of our smartest citizens, or even the popularity of our most likeable citizens, but rather on how the strongest among us exercise that strength to benefit the weakest, how the smartest among us enlightens the rest of us, and how those who are least likeable are treated by all of us.
There is much to be afraid of in our world today. One of my greatest fears is that we would let our fears take precedence over our principles. Occasionally, letters appear in the paper to make a point one way or the other about the religious commitments of our founding fathers. Sometimes these letters are helpful and insightful. Their purpose, generally speaking, is to comment one way or the other about whether or not our nation is a Christian nation. These letter writers mistakenly think that the issue can be resolved by combing historical documents. While the past is always an essential guide through the present and into the future, it cannot provide the answers they seek.
The most important day for any Christian is today. How will I serve Christ today? How will I live for Him today? How will my relationship with Him grow deeper today? Every day those questions have to be answered in our walk with Christ. The fact that I am a Christian rests on a relationship that has a definite beginning point. The kind of Christian I am going to be, and the depth to which that relationship is going to have an impact on my life, gets decided with each new day.
I suppose a nation could adopt the Bible as its constitution, name all of its highways after famous disciples, and erect signs with Bible verses at every intersection, thinking that it is indeed a Christian nation. Yet with each new day, that nation would have to make a choice to live up to those principles, otherwise all those documents and signs become hollow relics with little real meaning.
So back to Juan Lino-Gomez, confessed seller of marijuana and illegal immigrant — I am happy he has a lawyer provided for him, a portion of which, albeit a small portion, was paid for by my tax dollars. It just seems to me like the kind of thing that should cause people who want to live in a Christian nation to be proud.
Joy and peace,
Ed
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