I was hanging out with some friends when we started to talk about people who’d let us down. One of my friends said something I’ll never forget: “Don’t freeze people in time.” He was making the point that when people hurt us, we often never give them another chance to change.

There are so many moments in Peter’s life when God could have ‘frozen’ him in time. But He never did. Peter ‘corrected’ Jesus, getting himself a sharp telling off (MATT. 16:21-23). He famously denied knowing Jesus (JOHN 18:15-27), only to be forgiven later (JOHN 21:15-19). And he once showed favouritism in the church.

The problem came about when Peter moved away from some Gentile Christians (GAL. 2:11-12) to sit with some Jews who had just arrived. He began avoiding the Gentiles. Paul called Peter’s behaviour “hypocrisy” (V.13). By joining with the Jews, Peter was suggesting the Gentiles were somehow ‘second class’ and less important.

Because Paul challenged Peter, the issue was sorted out straightaway. Peter went on to treat everyone in the church equally.

We don’t need to freeze people out when they upset us. In God’s love and forgiveness we can support each other, learn from each other, confront each other when it’s necessary and grow together in His love.

By: Tim Gustafson

To Pray About . . .

Father, remind me of anyone I’ve 'frozen' or situations when I have been 'frozen' out. Teach me to forgive and ask for forgiveness. I want to love others with Your love.