I hear this phrase often in our society. It is usually referring to those who don’t think like the person they are talking to. When I googled narrow-minded people, this is the definition that came up. “Narrow-minded people may see their way as the only way. They may be unwilling to admit that any of their opinions, ideas, or ways of doing things are flawed. A narrow-minded person will stick to his or her guns, even when confronted with opposing facts.”
In our society, people want to be thought of as open-minded and accepting of everyone and everything. Yet, I have never found anyone who is entirely open-minded. Those who seem to portray themselves as open-minded are very closed-minded when it comes to Christianity. I believe they are open-minded as long as you agree with their view.
I believe Christianity is the only group of people who are accepting of anyone. The Bible makes it clear that we are all in the same boat. We have all sinned. No man, woman, boy, or girl, has escaped this curse of sin. Since we are all sinners and Christ came to die for sinners, again we are all the same.
In John 1:29 and John 3:16, it is clear that Christ died for all. His substitutionary death was enough to satisfy the wrath of God against sin. God made salvation available to everyone. It does not distinguish between color, race, nationality, gender, education, or anything else. The offer of salvation is to whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord. That’s very open and accepting.
John 1:29 “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Act 2:21 “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
We are called narrow-minded because, even though this offer of salvation is open to anyone, there is only one pathway and it must be followed to obtain salvation. Jesus, the one who made the way possible, makes it clear in John 14:6, that the pathway to Heaven is through Him. I don’t see the problem. Everything in life has a proper means of obtaining it. If you want to fly with an airline or enter certain buildings, you must go through security. Certain restaurants have dress codes, schools have scores that must be achieved to advance, taxis have fares that must be paid to ride, and everything has conditions to obtain what we want. Why would entrance to Heaven be any different?
John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
Christians are the only group of people that are called narrow-minded because they believe Jesus is the only way to Heaven. However, Jesus himself made that proclamation. God is a holy god. His holiness governs everything, and He will not violate His holiness. Jesus bridged the gap between God and sinful man. He was the only one qualified to pay the price because He was the only one holy and perfect. He came to this earth, lived among men, suffered every temptation known to man, and yet did not sin. He was willing to pay the price to turn back the wrath of God from all who believe and accept His substitutionary death.
Matthew 7:13-14 “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 there in: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
Is the way narrow that leads to Heaven? The answer is yes. He is the only way. As we go through this world trusting Christ as our Savior, we are to seek to be more like Him each day. We need to shed more and more of the influences of this world as we seek to be Christ-like. On the other hand, it takes nothing to go the broad way that leads to destruction. It is easy to reach and full of people. However, destruction is at the end of that road. The narrow road opens to beauty, peace, perfection, and an eternity with God.
I am so thankful that God loved me enough to make a way for me to spend eternity with Him. He offers that to everyone who will repent of their sins and follow His son in a life of faith and obedience. There is only one way to Heaven, but He gave us a very clear road map to follow, the Bible.
Excellent