What Does The Bible Say On Moral Issues Such As Racism And Prejudice?

What does the Bible say on Moral Issues such as Racism and Prejudice?

Acts 10:34-35-NKJV

34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.

There seems to be people in the news today who look down on Immigrants and I want to start with addressing this prejudice!

There are Approximately 51.9 million immigrants. Percentage of Illegal Immigrants in US is 3.28%

James 2:9-NKJV- 9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

Anyone who was not a U.S. citizen at birth and moves to the United States, including someone born in Mexico, Africa or India… etc. - is considered an immigrant under U.S. definitions. The Bible focuses on the teachings and spiritual significance of Jesus and his apostles, not their skin color or where they come from. Our mission work targets many of these individuals and supports the hope that they become our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Let us look to God’s word for answers on these topics:

So Abram—later Abraham—left his homeland. In so doing, Abraham literally became an immigrant in order to follow God’s promise–a common theme for those throughout Scripture.

Moses fled Egypt after killing an Egyptian taskmaster. He, too, became an immigrant in order to escape persecution, crossing into the foreign land of Midian. There, he found refuge, as he was welcomed, able to marry into a local family, and eventually encounter God in a burning bush. If Midian had turned Moses away (or kicked him out), there would have been no Exodus, no liberation, no Israelite nation. The story would’ve died in the desert.

The entire people of Israel were formed as immigrants in Egypt—oppressed, displaced, and later liberated. Clearly, immigration isn’t a footnote in our tradition. It is the foundation. The God of Scripture forms community not in temples or palaces, but in movement, in wilderness, and in lands not their own. The Bible Is Crystal Clear on Immigrants

So it should come as no surprise that the call to care for the immigrants looms large throughout Scripture. In the Torah alone, (Genesis through Deuteronomy) there are more than 30 separate commands regarding immigrants. And they are not suggestions:

Leviticus 19:33-34-NKJV-33 ‘And if a stranger dwells with you in your land, you shall not mistreat him. 34 The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

Leviticus 24:22-NIV- 22 You are to have the same law for the foreigner and the native-born. I am the Lord your God.’”

Deuteronomy 10:18-19-NIV- 18 He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. 19 And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.

This isn’t framed as charity. Its justice—equality under the law, compassion rooted in shared history, and a deep moral imperative grounded in God’s own values. And the stories of Scripture reinforce this again and again.

The book of Ruth isn’t just a sentimental tale about loyalty. It’s a radical immigration story. She was a Moabite, a foreigner from a people long in tension with Israel. Yet when she entered Israelite territory, she was not only welcomed but woven into the very lineage of King David and, ultimately, Jesus. She moved from immigrant widow to matriarch of faith.

Esther, was a foreigner in Persia. She hid her identity to survive in a hostile empire. But when the moment called, she stepped forward and risked her life to advocate for her people. Her immigrant status is central to the narrative. She didn’t save her people despite being an immigrant. She saved them because she knew what it is to live at the margins, under threat.

Matthew 2:13-16-NKJV

13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” 14 When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, 15 and was there until the death of Herod that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” 16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men.