In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Christ challenged His hearers: “enter through the narrow gate (Matthew 7.13).”
The entire ‘sermon,’ lasting through chapters 5 and 6 and 7 of Matthew’s gospel; the highest standard of personal righteousness is set. What Is excluded is any indication that we criticise others, even if we consider them not to live by those same standards. The Sermon on the Mount does not invite us to compare and contrast.
So, does Jesus Christ intend that His followers be ‘narrow- minded?’ Are there other scriptures which shed light on this potential accusation?
The writer of the Proverbs described the life as promised to those who walk in God’s ways.
Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.
She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honour.
Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
those who hold her fast will be blessed. (Proverbs 3.13-18)
Proverbs thus teaches that the way of life is pleasant and full of peace. At the same time, those outside it consider it narrow. But those who find it discover it is extremely wide.
In seeking to walk in this way of life, I suggest there are two errors to avoid – asceticism and excess. See 1 Timothy 4.4-5; 6.17. That ‘middle way’ is the way of contentment (Philippians 4.10, 13). We find that, when we are content and full of joy, then it is hard to judge others.