Dissent In The Church Can Be A Blessing

by Larry Colyar

To those who have yet to open their hearts to us, as gay Christians, I have included Larry's devotional because it illustrates that God can use divisions in His Church to glorify Himself in spite of His children. To this end, I pray for more acceptance and true love as Christ would have us love one another - without judgement. If we are wrong, then let God judge us. Mary

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually, we are members one of another. Romans 12:4-5

Dissent. Such an ugly word especially in the church. Unity. That's what we seek. Many people go to church seeking comfort and reassurance. The last thing we want or expect is discontent. Yet, like in every earthly endeavor, it is there.

The Book of Acts records the activities and difficulties of the early church. There was dissension between the church leaders in Jerusalem and the Apostle Paul. Yet because of this disagreement with the church leaders in Jerusalem, Paul began to spread the gospel all over the known world.

In the 16th century Martin Luther posted some of his objections to the way the Roman Church had been doing business for hundreds of years. The Pope of that time wanted to pay for the rebuilding of St. Peters Basilica in Rome by selling written pardons of sin called indulgences. Luther pointed out that selling indulgences (papal salvation for profit) was unscriptural and wrong. Out of Luther's writing came a split in the church known as the Protestant Reformation. Luther, who considered himself a loyal Catholic, was threatened with execution and was ultimately excommunicated. But out great dissension with the church came a bright new idea.

Honest, good faith differences of opinion can often lead to creative ideas which produce good results.

The work of this great church will not slow down because of dissent . We will continue to be the beacon of light to the many people who need our ministry. Disagreements will not stop that.

And how do we handle the hurt which occurs when we are criticized?

Abraham Lincoln was once asked that question. He said,"If I were to try to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any other business. I do the very best I know how - the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end. If the end brings me out all right, what's said against me won't amount to anything. If the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference."

Devotion by Larry Colyar
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