2. If you are a decently good person, then you will make it to heaven...possibly by the skin of your teeth.
In Judaism, faithfulness to God is equivalent to faithfulness to the law. For Nicodemus to be sure of his place in God's eternal kingdom, it was required that he passionately follow an enormous list of rules.
No one could be perfect, but they could be blameless...that is extremely sincere in their daily attempt to be faithful to the Law.
Jesus tells Nicodemous that the eternal kingdom of God won't be gained through human effort...
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ John 3:5-7 NIV
Jesus tells Nicodemous that our flesh, our human effort, would only produce a fleshly, or human faith. On the other hand, faith that is produced by the Spirit will lead to eternal life. Again, it is only through a spiritual rebirth can a person inherit the kingdom of God.
There is no way that human effort could ever evolve into the type of spiritual faith that would appease the justice of God.
2000 years later, so many in our western culture have the same type of attitude towards their faith.They believe they are a decently good person. especially compared to all of the terrible people in our world.
Somehow, they miss the fact being saved and making it to heaven isn't based on what we do or what kind of person we really are at our core. Rather, it is based on what Jesus had done for us one the cross.
Paul stated it this way...
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 NIV
What we do for God will never be good enough, but what Jesus has already done for us is more than enough. It is a free gift from God, we need only be "born again" by surrendering our heart and life to Jesus
Have you fallen into this way of thinking believing that you are "good enough" to make it to heaven...and that you don't need church or the Bible of religion to complicate your life.
If so, hear the words of Jesus one more time...
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” John 3:3 NIV
Have you been born again?
Pray today that God will show you your desperate need for Him. If you have never surrendered your heart and life to Him, ask Him to be The Lord and leader of your life today.
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