“For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life…” Matthew 7:14
In a world that celebrates tolerance of all beliefs, Christianity can seem narrow-minded and even offensive. In the context of Scripture, however, narrow-mindedness isn’t a flaw but a focused way of life. Narrow-minded Christians live for the sole purpose of pleasing God, which comes with divine promises.
Walking the narrow way means our lives look different from the world. It’s a path marked by obedience and trust in the Lord. It’s often challenging because we’re going in a direction that’s counter-intuitive to culture. Jesus warned that few find it. But for those who do, the reward is far greater than anything the broad way could offer.
The broad gate says that there are many paths to God and many ways to worship Him. It promises ease and acceptance of all lifestyles. But it’s a deceptive road that ignores the reality of sin and our need for redemption (Matthew 7:13). Only the narrow gate leads to forgiveness and eternal life. And only the narrow path offers joy, peace, and abundant life starting here and now.
We don’t stumble upon this path by chance, but by making a conscious decision to follow Christ. Jesus said, “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved” (John 10:9). The narrow gate isn’t about limiting access to God, but pointing to the true path of salvation in Jesus. He said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6).
As followers of Christ, we are called to be distinct, to live in a way that reflects the holiness and righteousness of our Savior. We are not here to conform to the world’s standards but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). Our narrow-mindedness is not about being judgmental but about being faithful to the truth that Jesus proclaimed. It’s limiting our thoughts and viewpoints to those of Christ.
So, is Christianity narrow-minded? Absolutely. When your sole purpose is to please God, you see life through a narrow lens. But this narrowness is the gateway to the abundant life Jesus promised. You can embrace this way of life with confidence, knowing that it’s the way of truth, the way of life, and the way of our Savior. How have you allowed worldly viewpoints to influence your thinking?