Narrow-Minded
	What do you think of people who are narrow-minded? Usually that expression refers to someone who is stubborn and unreasonable, who won’t even consider that there might be a better way that he is following right now. But is there ever a case where it is not only OK, but commendable to be narrow-minded? Consider some of the things Jesus said:
	“Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God . . . Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God”                (John 3:3, 5). That doesn’t sound very tolerant or open-minded, does it?
	“For if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins”          (John 8:24). Doesn’t that sound narrow-minded?
	“Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers” (John 10:7, 8). Was Jesus being narrow-minded? He thought He was the only one!
	“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). How could He say that? Isn’t that narrow-minded?
	Or consider some things the apostles of Christ said:
	“If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11). Isn’t that rather restrictive and narrow-minded?
	“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you that what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8, 9). How could Paul be so narrow?
	“There is one body and one spirit, just as you were 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 all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:4-6). Look at all those ones! Not two, or three, or however many you want, but one! That sounds awfully narrow-minded!
	In one manner of speaking, Jesus and the apostles certainly were narrow-minded. But it really is a matter of being right. We understand this in questions of physical things. Two apples plus two apples equals four apples. If I tell you it equals five apples, you know that either I’m teasing you or I’m having a brain cramp. The fact that you really like me doesn’t make it five apples. The fact that I would be much happier if it were five apples doesn’t make it so. And if I become angry with you and yell at you for being narrow-minded, it’s still four apples.
	Jesus spoke of a wide, easy path that leads to eternal destruction; He also spoke of a difficult, narrow way that leads to eternal life. Evidently He didn’t get the memo that says we’re all headed to the same place (Heaven), just traveling on different paths. Call Him narrow-minded if you will, but remember that He said He IS the way.
	I want to be just as broad-minded as Jesus, and just as narrow-minded as Jesus. That’s not an easy task, but it is a worthy goal. I hope it’s your goal as well as mine.
	--Joe Slater (Justin, TX)