My Narrow-Minded Faith

I’m sometimes criticized for my “narrow-minded” view of God and my belief that my God is the one true God, and that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven. I’m told by some that there are many paths to God and that He reveals Himself to different cultures in different ways.

But you see, I would not be true to the God I believe in if I espoused those same notions about “many paths to God” that I hear so often. I would not be a true follower.

DIFFERENT PATHS TO GOD?
My God makes it clear that He IS the only God, and that Jesus IS the only way. As for my background, I’m an American of both European and American Indian descent. Because of the ministry I'm involved in, I have Christian friends around the world -Singapore, Korea, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, Germany, the Philippines, etc. and yes I have Jewish Christian friends and American Indian Christian friends as well; - all different cultures, but with the same faith in the one True God. The Bible was originally presented to the Jews, with the purpose of being spread throughout the world. So there’s no mention in Scripture of God’s plan being to reveal Himself to different cultures in different ways. In fact, He said just the opposite:

“And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15

“…It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.” Acts 13:46


OTHER GODS?
Following are just a very few of the literally hundreds of verses that tell me that I am to worship no other god.

I am to submit to no other god.
I am to refuse to participate in any homage to any other god.
He makes no concessions for “other paths”.

“Ye are My witnesses, saith the LORD, and My servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He: before Me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me.” Isaiah 43:10

“Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and His redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside Me there is no God.” Isaiah 44:6

“Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isaiah 45:22

” Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD He is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.” Deuteronomy 4:39

“That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else.” I Kings 8:60

“I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.” Exodus 20:2-3


“Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.” Deuteronomy 12:30


GOD DEMANDS FAITHFULNESS
Not only am I not to worship other gods, but God makes it clear that I could draw His wrath by doing anything other than worshipping Him and Him alone.

“Because of their wickedness which they have committed to provoke Me to anger, in that they went to burn incense, and to serve other gods, whom they knew not, neither they, ye, nor your fathers. Howbeit I sent unto you all My servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate. But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear to turn from their wickedness, to burn no incense unto other gods. Wherefore My fury and Mine anger was poured forth, and was kindled in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; and they are wasted and desolate, as at this day.” Jeremiah 44:3-6


Here's one that a lot of people today should be thankful is not enforced:

“And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the Lord, shall be put to death.” Leviticus 24:16

WHEN WE TURN OUR BACKS ON GOD
God makes it clear that if we abandon Him, He will not keep His hand of protection upon us. As a nation, if we do not honor God, and we allow ourselves to be subject to false gods, we are destined for destruction. And when destruction comes, God will not protect us.

“And He shall say, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted, … let them rise up and help you, and be your protection.” Deuteronomy 32:37-38

That is why I was so upset to have a pagan priest praying on behalf of our country and our leadership.

THERE IS NOT OTHER WAY TO GOD BUT THROUGH JESUS
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6


CHRISTIANS NEED TO BE BOLD ABOUT THEIR FAITH
“If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14

God wants us to turn back to Him. If only we would.

“O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear Me, and keep all My commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!” Deuteronomy 5:29

WHAT GOD DO YOU WORSHIP?
If you are reading this and still thinking that I am very narrow-minded and that all religions are equal, then I would ask this question. Is the god you serve willing to share his glory and worship with false gods? Is the god you serve a “politically correct” god? Is your god not a holy and just god? Is your god not that holy, that he can accept unpunished sin into his presence in heaven?

Then maybe you are worshipping the wrong god.

WHAT MY GOD HAS DONE FOR ME
My God suffered and died on a cross to pay for my sins so that I could spend eternity in heaven.
Allah didn't die for me.
Buddha didn't die for me.
Vishnu didn't die for me.
Confucius didn't die for me.
No Wiccan priestess, no animal deity, no Kami died for me.
Only Jesus Christ did that. And then to prove He was God He literally came back to life from the dead. So how can I possibly accept that there is any other way but His?

IN CLOSING
You may say I’m narrow minded. But I believe what I believe. I make no apologies for that. God has promised me salvation at the end of that narrow road.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13-14

Broad is the way that leadeth to destruction.
Narrow is the way which leadeth unto life.

I choose life.