When God Uses Broken Roads

Strangers and Citizens: God's Heart for Justice and Mercy | Day 10

Good morning, beloved friends in Christ! As we've walked through this series, we've seen God's design for government authority, the importance of obeying law, and the consequences of violating it. Today we turn to a question many Christians wrestle with: Can God work redemptively even in situations involving human sin and disobedience?

Scripture doesn't give us a direct parallel to our modern immigration crisis, but it does show us something profound about God's sovereignty. He doesn't cause sin or approve of it, but He can work through even sinful situations to accomplish His redemptive purposes.

Consider Joseph's story:

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." — Genesis 50:20 (NIV)

Joseph didn't break any law—his brothers did. They committed a terrible sin by selling him into slavery out of jealousy. That was evil, and they were guilty before God. But God, in His sovereignty, took that very evil and worked through it to position Joseph to save thousands from starvation. The brothers' sin remained sin—they needed to repent. God didn't cause their wickedness or approve of it. But His purposes weren't thwarted by human evil—He worked through it for good.

Think about the early church:

"Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went." — Acts 8:4 (NIV)

The early Christians didn't break laws—their persecutors did. Wicked men killed Stephen and drove believers from their homes. That persecution was sin, plain and simple. God didn't orchestrate it or approve of it. But what happened? The gospel spread throughout Judea, Samaria, and beyond. God used the very persecution meant to destroy the church to spread the good news further than it had ever gone.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." — Romans 8:28 (NIV)

In all things—even situations involving human rebellion against His will—God can work for good. This doesn't mean He causes the sin. It doesn't mean He approves of the disobedience. But it does mean His sovereign purposes cannot be stopped by human wickedness.

So here's the situation many Christians face: Someone enters our country illegally—which is sin against God's ordained authority. But then they hear the gospel through a Christian's witness and come to genuine faith in Christ. Perhaps they're later deported and return home, carrying the gospel to family members who would never hear from missionaries, to villages that have never known Jesus's name.

Can God work redemptively even in this complicated situation? Yes—that's His sovereignty.

Does this mean the illegal entry was acceptable or that God caused it? Absolutely not.

Does the person still face legitimate consequences for lawbreaking? Yes—government has God-given authority to enforce law.

Does this "good outcome" erase the guilt of the original sin? No—sin is still sin before God.

Can we hold all of these truths simultaneously? Yes, because God is sovereign over all circumstances, even while humans remain fully responsible for their choices.

Here's what we know with certainty from Scripture:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." — John 3:16 (NIV)

Every person—regardless of how they arrived in our country—is someone Christ died to save. The "whoever" includes everyone without exception.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." — Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)

Our commission is clear: share the gospel. Make disciples. We don't check immigration papers before offering the bread of life. We don't demand legal documentation before telling someone about Jesus. If God brings someone into our lives—however they got there—we have an opportunity and a responsibility to share Christ with them.

"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." — Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV)

We make the most of every opportunity—with both grace (compassion, kindness, love) and salt (truth, preserving what's right). Not just grace that overlooks sin. Not just truth without compassion. Both together.

Now here's where we need humility—these situations are complex. How do we faithfully evangelize everyone while also upholding God's design for civil authority? How do we show genuine compassion without enabling ongoing sin? Sincere Christians may wrestle with exactly where lines are drawn.

But we can hold these truths firmly: We proclaim Christ to everyone, because legal status doesn't determine who needs Jesus. God's sovereignty is bigger than human circumstances—He can work redemptively even when humans sin. And evangelism opportunity never justifies or excuses lawbreaking—we oppose sin even while we evangelize sinners.

Think about this scenario: Someone comes to your church, hears the gospel, comes to faith in Christ, is baptized, and becomes part of your fellowship. You've discipled them, prayed with them, watched them grow in faith. Then immigration enforcement determines they must return to their home country due to illegal entry.

That's heartbreaking for everyone involved. But watch what God's sovereignty might accomplish: they return home carrying the gospel. They share Christ with parents who've never heard His name. They witness to siblings, cousins, neighbors. They start Bible studies in communities with no churches. Seeds planted in your church bear fruit in villages you'll never see.

Did God work through this entire situation—including the original lawbreaking—for redemptive purposes? Yes, because He's sovereign.

Does this make the illegal entry right or justified? No—sin remains sin.

Should we therefore be passive about illegal immigration because "God will work it out"? Absolutely not—we still support lawful authority and just enforcement.

Can we trust God's wisdom even in complicated situations we don't fully control? Yes, because His purposes are greater than our understanding.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that Your sovereignty is so great that even human sin cannot thwart Your purposes. You don't cause sin or approve of disobedience, but You can work through any situation for redemptive good. Help me be a faithful witness who shares Christ with everyone You place in my path. Give me wisdom to oppose sin while loving sinners, to uphold Your design for authority while proclaiming Your offer of grace. Help me trust Your sovereignty in situations I cannot control or fully understand, remembering that You worked even through the greatest evil—the crucifixion of Your Son—to accomplish the greatest good—the salvation of the world. In Jesus' name, Amen.

We proclaim Christ to everyone. We oppose sin wherever we see it—including violation of God's ordained civil authority. We trust God's sovereignty to work even through human rebellion. And we do all of this with the grace and mercy God has shown us—sinners who violated His law yet received forgiveness through Christ.

God's ability to work redemptively through sinful situations doesn't make us passive or approving of sin. We still support just laws and their enforcement. We still call lawbreaking what it is—sin against God's design. But we also recognize that every person involved is a sinner who needs the Savior, and we faithfully proclaim Christ while trusting God to work out what we cannot control.

So we share Jesus with whoever God brings into our lives. We uphold God's design for civil authority. We trust His sovereignty over outcomes. We extend grace while speaking truth. And we watch in amazement as He takes even the most complicated situations and uses them for His glory and the salvation of souls.

To God be the glory for His incredible sovereignty that can work through even human sin to accomplish His redemptive purposes—without ever causing or approving of that sin! May we be faithful in both proclaiming Christ and upholding His design for authority!

To God be the Glory!

Thank you for wrestling with these difficult questions alongside us. Your faithfulness in sharing these devotions helps others navigate complex issues with biblical wisdom.

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