~ HOW NARROW-MINDED SHOULD WE BE? ~
Some folks feel that those in the church are too narrow-minded. Preachers are often accused of being narrow-minded because of insisting upon the Christian forsaking all to follow Christ. But when we truly think about it, isn’t all of life narrow? Isn’t success to be found only by passing through the narrow gate and down the straight way? Consider these facts:
There is no room for broad-mindedness in the chemical laboratory. Water is composed of two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen. The slightest deviation from the formula is forbidden. If water is to be the result, the formula must be followed precisely.
There is no room for broad-mindedness in music. There can be but eight steps in an octave. The skilled director will not permit his first violin to play so much as one-half step off the written note, chord, and key.
There is no room for broad-mindedness in the mathmatics classroom. Neither geometry, calculus, nor trigonometry allows any variation from exact accuracy, even for old-time’s sake. The solution of the problem is either right, or it is wrong. There is no tolerance.
There is no room for broad-mindedness in biology. One varying result out of a thousand experiments will invalidate an entire theory.
There is no room for broad-mindedness on the athletic field. The game is played according to the rules with no favors shown for charity’s sake.
There is no room for broad-mindedness in the auto repair shop. The mechanic there says that the piston rings must fit the cylinder walls within one-thousandeth part of an inch. Even between friends there cannot be variation, if the engine is to run smoothly.
Now, why is it that we expect broad-mindedness in the realm of religion and morals? “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32). He prayed, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17). He plainly stated, “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” (Matthew 7:13-14).
Where do you fit? Which do you choose?