Narrow Minded or Wise?

I was recently accused of being too narrow minded because I’m resistant to learning about faith from people who don’t believe exclusively in Jesus Christ.

In the last month I’ve blogged about loving the gay community, sympathized with Casey Anthony, and admired Lady Gaga.

Too narrow minded, I ask?

I grew up in West Beirut in the 70s, speak 4 languages, have traveled to more than 20 countries, get tan enough to be black, and have spent equal times in palaces and back street alleys to understand both rich and poor.

I’ll go up against any of you when it comes to cultural diversity and multi-ethnicity, so please do not call me narrow minded.

But when it comes to issues of faith, I draw some pretty narrow lines.

It shouldn’t come as a shock to the followers of Jesus Christ. He set the example by His very life. He was called a friend of publicans and sinners but never sinned. He supped at the house of pharisees but never compromised His beliefs. He stood strongly for the truth – so strongly that He would later be mercilessly killed for His stance.

Don’t talk to me about being narrow minded about the truth. I think I’m in safe company.

In Matthew 7:13-14 he said: “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

In Matthew 10:16 he said: “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep int he midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”

Not enough for you? Consider James 4:4 where God says “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

Narrow minded – or wise?

Yet…God instructs us to be in the world, but not of it.

So how can a Christian achieve this balance?

What should the relationship of the Christian be with people of other faiths?

1. Love them but don’t learn from them. Love is the chief characteristic of the follower of Jesus Christ. Love for others should be an overflow of the love that God has shown us. I’m all about loving people of every race, every social status, every color, every country, every language, every religion. You get the point. But that kind of love is generous and expects nothing back. It should always point to a selfless Savior. As far as truth goes, you can only learn it from the source of truth, Jesus Christ Himself. And nowhere is His truth more obvious than in His word. Jesus thought so. The disciples thought so. Paul certainly thought so. I hope you do too.

2. Befriend them but don’t fellowship with them. There is a difference between being friendly with people and having true fellowship with people. “Fellowship” is the condition of sharing similar interests, ideals, or experiences, as by reason of profession, religion, or nationality. The Greek word Koinonia is a Biblical word that describes the communion of believers as depicted in the early church. That kind of fellowship centered around worshiping a risen Savior. You cannot have true fellowship with people who don’t embrace the same Biblical principles as you do.

3. Influence them but don’t impress them.You will not impress the world with your Christian worldview. That’s a fact. Oh, they may appreciate your giving of your funds to help the poor, and they may laud you for giving up your career to move to a third world country and feed the hungry, but start talking about Jesus Christ as the only true God and you will lose many of your fans. Don’t be fooled. Jesus Christ brings division (Luke 14:25-33). He always has and He always will. That’s because His kingdom is not of this world. But His kingdom is coming soon. Are you ready for it?

4.Lead them but don’t conform to them. In Romans 12:1-2 Paul gives some pretty direct advice about the relationship of the Christian with the world. He says: “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” It’s easy to conform. You just turn the TV on and do what every one else is doing. No one wants to stick out after all. But the calling of the Christian is higher. We are to lead those in our spheres of influence in the truth. We are to speak boldly of what God has done for us. Why? Because of love. The world needs to know what this life is all about. It’s your job, Christian to tell them – not by becoming like them, but by leading them in love and good deeds.

Nobody said the road would be easy.

Nobody said you wouldn’t be misunderstood.

The only thing you were promised is that you wouldn’t walk alone.

Too narrow minded? I like to think of it as wise.

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