Nov. 24, 2008 - FINALLY someone said it!
Jesus - Open Minded or Open Armed?
I come across so many people who seem to be confused about the mission of Jesus Christ. I hear time and time again how he was a friend to sinners, and accepting of all, and this is used as a barb to goad Christians into feeling guilty for speaking truth and expressing their beliefs.
Well, I have news for you.
There is a major difference between having an Open Mind and having Open Arms.
When folks talk about being open minded, they generally mean that to be open minded you must accept all other viewpoints as potentially valid, that you must listen and consider all other viewpoints and give them a platform. That you must not speak against other viewpoints at risk of appearing close minded and hateful.
Jesus was anything but Open Minded. He challenged people everywhere he went. He angered people just about as often as he inspired them, and he did it on purpose, to set them straight and hopefully help them change their lives and find their way to Heaven. He didn't spend his time listening to all the other philosophies of his day and pondering them, because he knew the truth that he brought directly from God was the only truth. He learned as a child that there was no point in debating, it was a simple choice. He presented the truth, and those who heard him decided what to do with it.
No. Jesus did not have an Open Mind - he had Open Arms.
He welcomed anyone who would listen to hear him and follow him. To this day - the invitation remains open. Those who have made the decision to follow Jesus are charged with the responsibility of spreading the Open Arm policies of Jesus, and spreading his invitation to anyone they meet.
We are NOT called to have Open Minds, but Open Arms.
So, Christians, don't be fooled or coerced into believing that having an Open Mind is somehow Biblical or valuable. It is through our minds that the enemy can cause the most damage by confusing us and distorting what we know in our hearts to be true. No. Seal up your mind from the influences of the world and fill your mind with the things of God as we are instructed in Philipians 4:8 - whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Keep your Arms Open, always showing how God desires every single person to choose to love Him, that He doesn't want anyone to choose hell and gives us as many opportunities as possible to make that choice - as the Bible says in 2 Peter 3:9 - He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
And to those who do not believe - don't make the mistake of expecting Christians to be Open Minded. We know what we know, and it is the truth. We don't fault anyone for not understanding, not accepting, not agreeing or not believing what we do. Our Arms are Open, to those who want to learn more, who want to have the peace that only God can give. To those who take the time to understand that to be a Christian is more than a lst of do's and don'ts, more than a list of what's good or bad.
Being a Christian is a process of growth and personal improvement that lasts a lifetime. It's the constant and daily decision to walk the narrow road and follow Jesus regardless the cost. If we don't encounter hardship and opposition, we aren't following Jesus closely enough. He told us to expect to be hated because of him. If we are too consumed with not offending anyone, we are in direct opposition to our calling.
Jesus is not our "Buddy Christ" and Michael Card said it so eloquently:
He will be the truth that will offend them one and all
A stone that makes men stumble
And a rock that makes them fall
Many will be broken so that He can make them whole
And many will be crushed and lose their own soul
Along the path of life there lies a stubborn Scandalon
And all who come this way must be offended
To some He is a barrier, To others He's the way
For all should know the scandal of believing
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