Many Cultures, One Love
During the month of May, we joyously celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI Heritage Month). AAPI Heritage Month is an annual celebration that recognizes the outstanding historical and cultural contributions of persons of Asian and Pacific Islander descent in the United States and throughout the American territories. The AAPI nomenclature or classification includes cultures and traditions from the entire Asian continent, and the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.
As believers in Christ, we must be ever mindful of showing love towards all of God’s children, and we cannot tolerate hatred against our AAPI brothers and sisters or anyone for that matter in the human family. During AAPI Heritage Month, reflect on an incident of racist behavior concerning the Apostle Peter. When Peter, the disciple who walked with Jesus, stopped associating with Gentiles simply because of their identity as Gentiles, the Apostle Paul condemned his behavior as inconsistent with the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Galatians. 2:11-14). Now keep this in mind, Peter loved the Lord, but his behavior was one hundred percent wrong, and Paul was bold enough to condemn it and warn all believers that such behavior cannot be tolerated amongst those who claim to follow the risen Lord. Dear ones remember, the Word of God teaches us that quite simply, though we come wrapped in many traditions, cultures, and diverse skin color, God created only one race, the human race. We are all gloriously and wonderfully made in His image (Gen. 1:26-27; 11:6). Happy AAPI Heritage Month.
