There will always be resistance to the movement of God

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Colorful Grace Cathedral church interior
Colorful Grace Cathedral church interior (Photo credit: davidyuweb)
“Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, ‘You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.’” Acts 11:1–3

Some people hate change. Are you one of them? Is change hard for you? Do you get nervous and desire a quick return to the way things used to be?

For many (especially those in the church), change can be very challenging, especially when it looms on the horizon. They might ask, “Are you sure we should be doing this?” to question the motives for change, to blatantly resist, or to incite others to join them.

Sadly, this happens in many businesses, civic organizations, and churches. It also happened when God ushered in a whole new era, inviting outsiders into his redemptive plan.

We have learned throughout Acts that God was starting something completely new through the Holy Spirit. We learned about this last week in the account of Peter and Cornelius. As we move on to chapter 11, we learn that not everyone was excited about the fact that other people groups were being allowed into the community of faith—the “circumcision party” condemned Peter for visiting the house of a Gentile.

There will always be resistance to the movement of God. Sometimes God calls his people to lead out and change things from the way they have always been. We need not fear change because God goes with us into the unknown future and promises to never leave or forsake us.

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