Standing Tall for the Truth

Posted on Oct 29, 2021 Topic : Men's Christian Living
Posted by : Erwin W. Lutzer

The disciples asked Jesus an interesting question: “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” (Luke 13:23).

Haven’t we all wondered how many people will be saved? We know that in the end there will be a multitude of the redeemed from every tribe and nation that no one can number (Revelation 7:9), but we would like to know more specific numbers and percentages.

Jesus did not answer their question directly. Rather, He chose to give a warning: “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from’” (Luke 13:24‑25).

The same frightening truth appears in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus affirmed that the gate leading to the heavenly kingdom was narrow; the way to destruction was broad and “those who enter by it are many” (Matthew 7:13). Clearly, more people—many more people—will be lost than will be saved.

Yet today there are calls for evangelicals to remake Christianity into a more inclusive religion. There are widespread efforts to make the narrow door wider and to even affirm the salvation of well‑meaning people of other religions. In the process, the hard truths of Christianity are either redefined or ignored.

I am opposed to judgmental Christianity that holds to truth without compassion and righteousness without humility. I oppose Christianity that judges without listening and sees the faults of others without seeing our own. As a pastor, my heart breaks for those who hurt and who don’t know where to turn for help. Our churches should be sanctuaries for the downtrodden, the oppressed, and the lonely. They should be hospitals for the soul.

But I see some Christians submitting to the culture in many areas of life. The only way to make Christianity appealing, we are told, is to move the markers—to be more inclusive, more affirming. We no longer are submissive to “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). We think we must accept or acquiesce to culture in order to redeem it.

Too often, compassion is used to override our better judgment and approve of ungodly lifestyles. We tell ourselves that we don’t witness about our faith because we fear offending someone. We don’t want to let people know that the way into the kingdom is narrow and there is a cost to following Jesus. The Christian poet Vasily Zhukovsky wrote, “We all have crosses to bear and we are constantly trying on different ones for a good fit.” Instead of trying to find a lighter cross, we must lovingly stand up to fight for the truth.