The world is in chaos. Driven by wars, persecution and economic misery, large numbers of people are leaving their homes to seek better lives elsewhere.
The UK is one of the prime destinations for refugees and migrants, as it’s perceived as prosperous, peaceful and tolerant.
Around 51,000 people illegally arrived in the UK in the first nine months of 2025, most in small overcrowded boats making the dangerous journey over the English Channel from France. The vast majority of these claimed asylum on the grounds that they fear persecution in their own country. Some are genuine refugees, some are not.
The UK Government is trying hard to tackle the “small boats” problem. Meanwhile it spends nearly £6 million per day housing illegal arrivals, while they wait for their asylum claims to be processed. There is growing public unrest at the situation, which occasionally boils over into outright hostility.
It’s not for me to advise the Government what it should do. Christadelphians take no part in politics, following the example of the First Century Christians and Jesus Christ himself. Their allegiance is to Christ, and their priority is his service while they await his return (Matthew 25:14). But the Bible gives instructions on how we should live as individuals. Here are a few principles which will have a bearing on the Christian’s attitude to the refugee crisis – from the point of view of both the refugee and the citizen of the host nation.
- We should show love to our neighbours (Matthew 22:39). Jesus was at pains to point out that everyone is your neighbour, not just those who are your kind of people (Luke 10:25-37).
- We should be hospitable to strangers (Hebrews 13:2).
- We should obey the law (Romans 13:1-7). This is particularly relevant to Christians who are considering entering a country illegally.
- We must be honest (Revelation 21:8). A refugee should not embellish or misrepresent their circumstances in order to persuade an asylum hearing.
- According to the Bible, all true Christians are actually ‘strangers and exiles’ in the country where they live (Hebrews 11:13). They are citizens of the Kingdom of God which is to come when Christ returns (Philippians 3:20). So if we are blessed to live in a safe and prosperous country, we will not resent people from elsewhere coming to “our country” to seek refuge, because it’s actually not “our country”.
The Kingdom of God will be the solution to all the world’s present problems. The Bible paints many vivid and wonderful pictures of the Kingdom. It will be a time when there is no longer any incentive for people to leave their homes to seek better lives elsewhere: ‘They shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid’ (Micah 4:4).
Chris Parkin