When considering truth, there are three aspects in which people can be broad or narrow. First, we ought to be broad in our sympathies. Wherever we live, in whatever status or culture, we ought to be sympathetic, seeking to be kind, generous, and understanding. Second, we ought to be broad in our horizons. We ought not to be biased and prejudiced toward others.
But third, we ought to be narrow in our acceptance and defense of the truth, especially the truth about Almighty God. Truth is always narrow—always. Not just some of it. All of it.
Mathematical Truth
Let me illustrate it this way: “Two plus two equals four.” Now, some fellow comes along and says, “I’m not mathematically narrow-minded. I believe two plus two can equal fifteen or twenty. I’m broadminded in my mathematics.”
Well, let him go down to the bank and see how far he gets! He goes up to a teller and says, “I have a check here. I want to withdraw five hundred dollars,” and she looks at his account and says, “You don’t have but two hundred dollars in your account.” He says, “Why, that’s narrow-minded! I deposited one hundred dollars, and I deposited another hundred dollars, and in my math that’s five hundred dollars!” And the teller says, “You’re a first-class nut case!” Mathematical truth is narrow.
Scientific and Historic Truth
Imagine an athletic fellow who believes in all those things to make you strong and muscled. On a cold winter day, when the world up north is covered in snow, he stands on a bridge in order to dive into the river below. As he prepares to take that plunge, somebody comes up to him and he says, “Man, don’t you know that water freezes at 32 degrees? That river is solid ice!” He says, “I don’t believe water freezes at 32 degrees. I am broadminded in my acceptance of scientific facts. I happen to believe water freezes at 15 degrees.”
And the fellow says, “Fifteen degrees? You dive off that bridge and you’re going to splatter your brains.” He responds, “I’m broadminded.” And he dives off that bridge… and discovers that scientific truth is narrow!
A broadminded historian might say, “I don’t necessarily confine myself to this great character living in any particular age. Being broadminded,” he says, “I don’t believe Caesar lived in 44 BC, I believe Caesar lives now, and that he’s in Texas.” You know what? If you did that, they would be after you with a net, and would examine you as to whether you are a threat to society…because historical truth is narrow.
God’s Truth
God’s truth is no less narrow. No broadmindedness will change the truth of the everlasting God. He says in His book, the Bible, “Look unto me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth, for I am God, and there is none other” (Isaiah 45:22). His only Son, Jesus, said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). And that is the only way God says we will ever be right with him and forgiven of our sins. God’s truth is narrow!
The Bible says that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God….There is none other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Romans 3:23, Acts 4:12). But there’s good news—Jesus Christ turns toward the sinner, like the physician turns toward the sick. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son [to die for our sins], that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Christ “suffered for sins, the just for the unjust [us!] that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh” (1 Peter 3:18). Then he rose from the grave three days later to prove he had accomplished what he came to do (1 Corinthians 15:4-6)!
An Invitation for You
Jesus’ invitation of the gospel is always for sinners: “I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32). And the blessings of salvation speak of grace and mercy for sinful men and women. “By grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourself—it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast….according to His mercy He saved us” (Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5).
The grace and mercy of God are for sinners! If we were not sinful and guilty, why would Christ make the ultimate sacrifice and die for us? He urges you to “enter in at the narrow gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction” (Matthew 6:13-14).
Will you respond in faith and throw yourself on the mercy of God? You can pray, “Lord, if I am ever to be saved, I have to be saved by You. If I ever have hope for heaven, my hope lies only in You. If there ever is to be a blessing in my future and eternity in heaven when my life is over, it lies in You. I agree that there is one way to be saved—just one—through your son, Jesus Christ. As an undeserving sinner, I throw myself in complete trust on your mercy because Christ has died to take my punishment!”