Some Thoughts On Narrow-Mindedness

The preacher is sometimes accused of being narrow-minded because he insists upon Christians forsaking all, to follow Christ (Philippians 3:7-8; cf. Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18). But when we think about it, isn’t all of life narrow — success being found only by passing through the narrow gate and down the straight way? (Matthew 7:13-14).

For example, 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 that formula is forbidden. There is no room for broad-mindedness in the area of music. There can be only eight notes in an octave. The skilled orchestra leader will not permit his first violin to play even so much as one-half of a note off the written note, chord, and key in the score.

There is no room for broad-mindedness in the mathematics classroom. Neither geometry, calculus, or trigonometry allows any variation from total accuracy. The solution of the problem is either right or wrong — there’s no variation or tolerance there. There is no room for broad-mindedness on the athletic field, for the game is played according to the rules in the rule book, with no favors being shown for charity’s sake.

There is no room for broad-mindedness in the garage. The mechanic tells the customer that the piston rings must fit the cylinder walls within one-thousandth part of an inch, or the engine will not function properly. Even between friends, there cannot be any variation, if the engine is to run smoothly.

The question then arises, “If narrow-mindedness rules in the secular realm, how then, can we expect that broad-mindedness rules in the realm of Christianity and morals?”

Dear reader, let's think about it!

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets