倫敦是一座國際大都市，來自世界各地的人在此比鄰而居。這樣的多元融合帶來了豐富的文化，例如令人讚嘆的美食，但也帶來各種挑戰。就像我曾聽到來自歐洲某個國家的朋友們提起，因他們的國家較晚才加入歐盟，所以他們在倫敦似乎是最不受尊重的一群人。他們覺得遭人忽視，被當作是各種亂象的根源，甚至因有了工作而遭人怨恨。

既然上帝不偏待人，我們也不應如此。祂已打破人與人之間的隔閡。使徒行傳10章講述，彼得在房頂禱告時看見異象，聖靈藉著異象啟示彼得，去傳福音給哥尼流（一個敬畏上帝的外邦人）。上帝幫助彼得重新審視禁止猶太人與外邦人往來的規條。彼得聽從聖靈的指示，前往哥尼流的家，向哥尼流和他的親朋好友傳講耶穌的福音。彼得說﹕「我真看出上帝是不偏待人。原來，各國中那敬畏主、行義的人都為主所悅納。」（34-35節）

上帝要基督徒關愛和服事所有人，因為無論什麼人都是按照上帝的形象所造的，這個使命包括不偏待任何國家或任何膚色的人。願我們能在上帝的引導下，學習尋求公義，幫助受壓迫的人（以賽亞書1章17節）。

London is a cosmopolitan city, with people from many nations living side by side. This coming together of people from around the world can bring richness—including amazing food—but also challenges. For instance, I was saddened that friends from one European country felt they were the least respected in London because their country had been admitted to the European Union more recently. They felt overlooked, blamed for problems, and resented for the jobs they secured.

Since God doesn’t show favoritism, neither should we. He breaks down barriers between people. We see His Spirit at work in Peter’s vision while praying on the rooftop, and how Peter was called to minister to Cornelius, a God-fearing gentile. God helped Peter evaluate the Jewish regulations about not associating with gentiles. The apostle listened and went to Cornelius’ home to share the good news of Jesus. He said, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right” (Acts 10:34-35).

Those who follow Jesus are called to love and serve all those who are made in the image of Christ. Part of that mission is to not to show favoritism for people from certain nations or with particular skin colors. May we learn to seek justice and to defend the oppressed as God guides us (Isaiah 1:17).