(Matthew 7:13) Enter through the narrow gate.

At the beginning of his ministry on earth, Jesus gave the crowds who followed him two choices in life: enter through the narrow (or straight) gate that leads to life, or enter through the wide and spacious gate that leads to destruction.

The bottom line of his teaching is rather simple: there are only two roads to take in life.

We can either follow Jesus and find life, or refuse to follow Him and find destruction. 

These are the two options in our lives.

Today, people often insist that there are many options (roads, religions) in life. We have individual rights, and we can choose what we want to do. It is our life, and we believe we can live it however we choose.

Doesn’t Jesus know that all religions (worldviews) are the same?

Who does Jesus think He is?

Is he a bigot?

Is he intolerant?

Is he mean?

Is he unloving?

The issue is this: Jesus is God, and we are not.

In contrast to many Christians, I am more theologically open to a broader view of universal salvation. God desires everyone to be saved. I believe that God is full of love and mercy, and his plan for the eschatological future is in his hands, not ours.

So, my theological view of God’s salvation is very broad.

However, the primary issue in Matthew 7:13 is this: what does Jesus mean by the “narrow gate”? This is where modern people struggle.

It is clear—the narrow gate is Jesus Christ himself. There are not many roads (religions or worldviews) that lead to eternal life. Jesus Christ is the only way, and there is no other.

He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is the only Savior of the world. Jesus is our solid rock, and all other options are sinking sand.

This is not a complicated or esoteric philosophy of life; it is straightforward: there is no other way to eternal life except through Jesus.

To summarize, I hold an expansive view concerning the extension of God’s salvation in Jesus Christ to all people, but I also hold a narrow view that Jesus Christ is the only door, gate, and road to eternal life.

How about you?

Are you afraid of being called intolerant or a religious bigot because you believe that Jesus is the only way to God and eternal life? Or do you hold a worldview that includes Jesus plus several other ways?