We did not always understand the positions we now hold

Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him, saying, "You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!" Acts 11:1-3

Peter had a hard time swallowing the concept that Gentiles were included alongside Jews in Christ’s Church. It took a vision and a rather dramatic experience at Cornelius’s house for Peter to be fully on board with the idea.

Setting the Jewish/Gentile issue aside, isn’t it likewise interesting that when God reveals something to us—causing us to experience a measure of spiritual growth— we often encounter others who do not understand. And these others often challenge us about our new convictions.

For example, God shows us that certain convictions we previously held are incorrect. Maybe it has to do with eschatology (end times and Christ’s Second Coming). Maybe is in regard to the sovereignty of God, or with the applicability of the Ten Commandments. Because of new convictions, changes in lifestyle may occur. We may be excited to share our new convictions with others. But “lo and behold,” not everyone is quick to accept, much less join us. How shall we respond? Here are two suggestions:

First, we must not be surprised. We must remember that we did not always understand the positions we now hold.

Second, we must be patient. Instead of shaking our heads wondering why others do not see things as we do, let us patiently restrain ourselves from thinking less of others to whom these ideas are not yet known. And while we share what we have learned, let us do so patiently. Prayerfully. Gently. Unaggressively.

It is great to grow in our understanding, so long as we do so graciously.

Next time, we’ll consider Peter’s response.