Thursday, January 20, 2011

The Narrow-Minded Jesus

If one is “narrow-minded” or “exclusively minded” in today’s society, he will be considered bigoted, prejudiced, biased, small-minded and intolerant. To be “narrow-minded” is about the most “politically in-correct” thing that a person can be today. The politically correct, “inclusively minded” regime in our society vehemently and vocally opposes any thing that smacks of “intolerance”. This “PC” movement stems out of the belief in secular humanism – that is the idea that there is no all-sufficient standard of authority in the way mankind lives upon this earth. They say that they believe this to be true, yet they have made “tolerance” their objective standard. Tolerance, to them, means toleration of any thing that is considered by them to be politically correct. Their idea of tolerance does not include tolerance toward such things as American patriotism, monogamous-heterosexual marriage and the Christian religion. Every thing else must be tolerated or you will be “narrow-minded”.

If Jesus were here in the flesh today, He would be the most “politically in-correct” person in the world and everywhere people gathered to hear Him preach there would be hundreds of protestors demonstrating against Him and His teachings. Secular humanists would object to His system of morality. Religious leaders of the world religions would be “up-in-arms” against Him for His claim to be the ONLY way to heaven. Christian denominational leaders would object to His teaching that only a faithful few will be saved. How do I know al this? Because Jesus is the most “narrow-minded” man to ever walk on this planet. Listen to what He said when He was here in the first-century:

“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 (KJV)

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” John 14:6 (KJV)

“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture” John 10:9 (KJV)

"He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” John 12:48 (KJV)

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23 (KJV)

This all sounds pretty “narrow-minded” and exclusive to me. These narrow-minded teachings of Jesus exclude many that would try to seek God through Muhammad or Joseph Smith; through Judaism, Buddhism, or denominationalism. With Jesus it is “His Way” (“which leadeth unto life”) or the “Highway” (“that leadeth to destruction”). The Apostle Peter said this of Christ, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps...” (1 Peter 2:21, KJV). Let us therefore in following after Jesus, be likewise “narrow-minded” and keep ourselves on the way “which leadeth unto life.”

No comments: