The Narrow Way That Leads To Life

"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

Introduction:

Through the years, people who are thought of as a being narrow-minded person is also thought of as being a very negative person, and in some aspects they really are. Sometimes in the Church we can be a little bit harsh, and legalistic in the way that we think. Sometimes being narrow-minded can be a bad thing. If for example you refuse to consider other points of view or you are so determined in a course of action that you fail to listen to reason, then being narrow minded is not quite a good thing. I would not dare stand here and suggest that you become narrow-minded in your dealings with others. For example, Jesus could have gotten very upset with Judas who had the habit of robbing Him over and over again of His financial support—but Jesus instead gave Judas a place as a disciple and even loved him until the very end.

And so I’m not advocating for any of us to become overly narrow-minded as it relates to the Church. But sometimes being narrow-minded is a good thing; in fact, it could actually be a blessing. I don’t know about you but if I can focus on God and Him only. If I can only focus on His kingdom and not this world then I don’t mind if you call me narrow-minded, because that is exactly what I’m trying to be. I guess I would be called narrow-minded by most people and I really don’t mean any harm in saying this but, I’m not very interested in learning about the faith of people who don’t believe exclusively in the Lord Jesus Christ. Today, there are many people who are dedicated to their “religion.” In fact, we may have more “religion” now than we have ever had. But, sadly enough, most of that “religion” is lacking the one thing that is desperately needed: faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

It doesn’t really bother me if I’m called narrow-minded because as I read these two verses I can see that I am in good company. Some open-minded people would take exception to these Words of Jesus—that you ought enter into the straight gate instead of broad gate. The broad gate is full of open-minded people who believed that anything and everything goes. We have a few issues today in America that we have sent to the Supreme Court Justices in order to get their take on it, we even have a few clergy who have expressed their desire to start being a little more open minded on certain issues. Although open mindedness does sound good on paper, you still have to be careful because if you open your mind too much there is no telling just what might creep in. And so you can call me narrow-minded if you want to, but I’m in some good company.

The world has often pictured Jesus as being so “broad-minded or open-minded” that He will accept any and every sort of response which a human being may make to His instructions and God’s commandments, however, the Bible does not describe Him as being this open-minded. Many believe that God’s love is so large that He will accept anything from a heart that is sincere. As long as you’re sincere about it, it’s all right with God—but they’re wrong and Hell will be full of people who were sincere and had good intentions. The definition of being “narrow-minded” is “lacking tolerance or breadth of view.” In order for men and women to see the importance of having and of living in harmony with the truth, it is necessary for them to see that Jesus was “narrow-minded” in the sense that demanded and still demands obedience of those who professed to follow Him.

Again, if I am narrow-minded I am in good company because Jesus made it very clear that He was “narrow-minded” concerning many subjects. He even sent His apostles into the world to make that very clear. Acts 4: 12, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Ephesians 4: 4 - 6, “There is one body, and one spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through, and in you all”—anyone who wants to call me narrow-minded, I really don’t mind because I am in some very good company.