Free To Be Me - Ethnicity
Scripture Reading - Acts 10:25-28 ERV (Easy-To-Read Version)
25 When Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him. He fell down at Peter's feet and worshiped him.
26 But Peter told him to get up. Peter said, "Stand up! I am only a man like you."
27 Peter continued talking with Cornelius. Then Peter went inside and saw a large group of people gathered there.
28 Peter said to the people, "You understand that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit anyone who is not a Jew. But God has shown me that I should not consider anyone unfit or say they are not pure.
In the world there is always a geological comparison made between people. In other words people of the same community will compare every person of that community with the “so-called” norm. Thus, the norm is acceptable while the abnormal is not. The problem is who defines what the norm is and does such a defined norm exist for all the people of that community? This comparison usually involves at least seven different issues (characteristics and/or topics), age, career, gender, morality, religion, ethnicity and income. So the people with similar characteristics will always be drawn to a closer relationship then those who think, act and sometimes look differently than them. This week we will briefly discuss how the characteristic of “Ethnicity” relates to our freedom in Christ Jesus. “Ethnicity” in its general sense is the combination of common traits shared between a community of people. In “Ethnicity” the people don’t have to live in the exact same location because they will be able to relate to those who display the same common traits independently of where they reside. For example here in America when filling out a job application form the various terms “African American/Black, Asian/Pacific Islander, American Indian/Alaska Native, Hispanic and White” can all appear (or some variation of these groups). However, we all know that “Ethnicity” reaches from greater than a few general groups because the Dutch people might not look at themselves as being “White” nor is it perfectly acceptable for the Jamaicans to be considered “African Americans/Blacks” by someone else’s standards. The point is just because you or someone in your family may change a physical location of where they live it doesn’t mean they are a new “ethnic” group. Since “Ethnicity” runs so deep in the roots of mankind it is very disrespectful to insult the “ethnicity” of a certain person. Many people who are careless with their words can easily say something hurtful to another. One problem is when you insult the one person you may be insulting everyone of that same background. Certainly all those who are proud of their heritage are not going to take it lightly when a person makes a derogatory remark about the quote unquote statement “those people are . . . “. If the statement is true for one person keep it specific to that one person without judging the whole race. If you have noticed a specific trait consistently in a certain “ethnic” group if it is a good trait you can say it with a clear conscience in Christ, if it is not a good characteristic you have no business making it public by expressing it out loud as a Christian (acting like Christ). Yes, certain people are going to act similarly whether good or bad but since the Good Lord created all men equally they are His (God’s) prized possessions to respect. In Genesis 1:31 we find the statement that God considered everything that He made (man and woman included) and it was very good, so who are we to consider someone bad. Yes, people can display poor (ungodly) behavior but this should never be tied to a whole race of people (ethnic) because God created all races unto His glory and good pleasure. Therefore, we (all men) have the freedom to be the person (and people) God created us to be. We (ihlcc) are sure in Heaven there will be various races (ethnics) living together and more importantly praising and worshipping God, the Father, together. So if some foolish person tries to belittle your “ethnicity” don’t take it personally because you know God created your personality and your inherited “ethnic” traits to minister in the unique way God created you to minister. Those people that are hungry for God will receive from your ministry, which is basically you being yourself doing whatever God called you to do. The thing we (ihlcc) love about “ethnicity” is that there is always someone else in this world (and in Heaven too) that can identify with your situation in life, so there is always someone else who can fully appreciate your testimony about how God brought you out of the trials of this life. In the Name of Jesus your “ethnicity” is ordained by God, so never feel inferior to another person (or people group). As a divinely created child of God you are a blessing to many people and God Himself, so walk in that knowing because anything less would be lowering God’s standard for the sake of men and that, my faith friend, we will have no part of. Amen.