By Dr. Robert J. Pacienza

The world may glorify lawlessness, but followers of Christ must never confuse rebellion with righteousness. Rioting erupted in Los Angeles last month following a series of lawful immigration arrests by ICE, but has since ended, leaving over $50 million in damages and more than 400 arrests, as well as 12 officers and 18 protesters injured. What started as a peaceful protest quickly spiraled into chaos, with streets overrun, businesses vandalized, and police officers assaulted. Amid the turmoil, some waved foreign flags, while others cited Scripture to justify their rebellion. The message from certain cultural corners was unmistakable: this was a righteous uprising. But as Christians, we must reject that narrative.

Yes, America is a nation of immigrants. We celebrate that heritage. The diversity and opportunity this nation has offered generations of newcomers is one of its greatest strengths. But America is also a nation of laws. For centuries, we have upheld a legal process for immigration and citizenship. These truths are not in opposition but are held together in a healthy, ordered society. You can love the immigrant and still believe in borders. You can preach compassion without excusing chaos. You can affirm human dignity while also affirming national sovereignty.

Biblical truth does not require us to choose between mercy and order. Scripture unites them. Deuteronomy 10:19 says, “Love the sojourner.” That command is clear. However, the same Mosaic Law that called Israel to love the sojourner also established national borders, legal standards, and structures of justice. Welcoming the foreigner never meant erasing law or order. It meant ensuring justice and mercy exist together under the rule of God.

Romans 13 reinforces this: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God… the one who is in authority is God’s servant for your good.” When law enforcement officers carry out their duty, even in controversial or emotionally charged contexts, they are fulfilling a God-ordained role. Are they perfect? No. But they are necessary. A society without law and order is a society headed toward ruin.

What we witnessed in Los Angeles was not a prophetic cry for justice. It was a rebellion. And Scripture consistently condemns rebellion, not lawful enforcement. When citizens defied arrest, attacked officers, and rioted in the name of “compassion,” they were not elevating righteousness. They were rejecting God’s design for civil authority.

This is where we must be especially discerning. It feels compassionate to excuse unlawful behavior in the name of justice. But Scripture never allows us to pit mercy against righteousness. Grace without truth becomes a license. Emotion without order becomes chaos. And what began as empathy can quickly become anarchy.

We must also recognize a deeper ideological threat embedded in moments like these. Some voices suggest that all authority is inherently oppressive. That is not true justice but cultural Marxism in a clerical collar, and the Church must have the courage to say so.

As a father, I am deeply concerned for the next generation. What moral framework are we passing on when we equate lawlessness with love? If we do not teach our children to respect the dignity of all people and the structures that preserve freedom, we risk losing both.

As my dear friend Dr. Alveda King often reminds me, we can accomplish all things through nonviolence. She is right. The Civil Rights Movement taught us that lasting change comes through peaceful conviction, not violent unrest.

So, what do we do? We pray for peace, law enforcement, and immigrants seeking a better life. We affirm the image of God in every person and the rule of law that makes human flourishing possible. We reject false dichotomies. We embrace biblical coherence. And above all, we lead with truth.

This riot was one of many we have seen, and more are likely to come, serving as a lesson for future incidents. This moment was not just political; it was a moment for truth and justice to prevail. Now, more than ever, we need men and women who will not compromise but lead with courage.

Dr. Robert Pacienza is a Senior Fellow for America First Policy Institute, the Senior Pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church (Fort Lauderdale, FL), and the CEO and President of Coral Ridge Ministries.