In week two of Switch we talked about no matter how we can allow God to switch our judgment to love. .

“So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”
– ACTS 11:2-3

“So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.” – ACTS 11:17-18

Switch – Week 3

Let’s be honest: dealing with people can be tough. Different opinions, difficult personalities, harsh words—all these things make dealing with a people seem like an insurmountable challenge at times. And for some reason, dealing with church people can be the most difficult of all!

If you’ve spent any time at church at all, you probably know what we mean. Maybe it was when you first started attending church and encountered someone who made you feel judged, hurt, or misunderstood—the exact opposite of how you thought Jesus made people feel. Or maybe it was later on in your walk and you encountered a leader in the church who acted one way in front of your congregation and another way as soon as they stepped off the stage. Or maybe you’ve seen someone on TV claiming to believe in Jesus in the same breath they’re calling another group of people ugly names. No matter what your experience was, it probably left you with a bad impression of what the church might be about.

Well, the same thing happened to Peter in the Bible. As the leader of the church, he encountered difficult, harsh, and judgmental people all the time. In one particular instance, he found himself greeted by an angry crowd of believers who were upset with him for meeting with a man who they thought he shouldn’t associate with if he was a leader of the church. Rather then yell at them in frustration or throw in the towel and give up on church, Peter answered their questions with a question of his own:

So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think I could stand in God’s way? (Acts 11:17 NIV)

Rather than focusing on the people in front of him or even the person they’re angry at him for meeting with, Peter redirects their focus back to God. Essentially he’s saying, “Didn’t Jesus come for all of us? Didn’t God call us to love everyone? Isn’t that what we’re supposed to be about as believers?”

Peter knew people were going to be difficult. Peter knew people were going to fail—even leaders like him! So instead of focusing on people, Peter is telling us to focus on God. And when we do, our view will change. Is there someone in your life you struggle to deal with? Focus first on God and ask Him to help change your view.