Read John 3:1-21.
Two thousand years ago, a Jewish religious leader named Nicodemus came to Jesus to ask Him about heaven. He was a learned, deeply religious, powerful man. But His religion had failed to give him real joy, peace, and assurance, and he wanted to know how he could be sure he'd make it to heaven when he died.
God loves sinners just the way they are, but He does not leave them the way they are.
Nicodemus had seen the power of God at work in Jesus as He performed miracles and spoke with heavenly authority—not like the other rabbis. Nicodemus came to Jesus with flattering words, but our Lord quickly cut to the chase, zeroing in on the most important Truth: "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again" (John 3:3). Jesus essentially told him that his works and status had no bearing on his entrance to heaven; the only thing that mattered was that he be born again. Nicodemus was flabbergasted—born again? Surely someone cannot re-enter their mother's womb!
But Jesus got his full attention, assuring him that being born again is not about something you do; rather, it's about allowing God to do something in you, something radical in your life (see vv. 5-6). God must change you completely by the power of the Holy Spirit. It's not just believing in Jesus or claiming to be a Christian. You must be utterly made new—as Paul says, "[I]f anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Now, a false teaching has infected the modern church. It's that a person can be a Christian believer and continue to live an immoral lifestyle. My friend, you cannot be half born again. You can't say, "I'm a Christian, but I can't help living this lifestyle." No! The true Gospel comes with power. God loves sinners just the way they are, but He does not leave them the way they are. True salvation—being born again—transforms a person from the inside out, which means that though we yet sin on this earth, by the power of God's Spirit, we fight against it. We repent of our sins and ask for God's restoration—and He gives it freely!
Until you let go of the delusion that you are morally good enough to be accepted by God, you cannot enter the Kingdom of heaven. God has produced spiritual rebirth in countless people across time and space—He can do it in you, too. Friend, to go to heaven, you must be born again.
Prayer: Father, thank You for making me new by the power of Your Spirit, for giving me new life through Christ. May I remember that the old has gone and the new is here so that I seek to live according to my heavenly citizenship. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
"Jesus replied, 'Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again'" (John 3:3).
Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef's sermon series Heaven Awaits: LISTEN NOW | WATCH NOW
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