John: You Must Be Born Again

At the heart of John chapter 3 lies one of the most transformative truths in all of Scripture: we must be born again. This message confronts us with a stunning reality—that religious achievement, heritage, education, and moral effort cannot earn our way into God's kingdom. When Jesus spoke these words to Nicodemus, a highly respected religious leader and member of the Sanhedrin, He was addressing someone who had climbed to the pinnacle of spiritual accomplishment in his culture. Yet Jesus looked past all of Nicodemus's credentials and went straight to the heart: 'Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.' As we examine this passage, we're reminded that billions of people across the world still operate under a works-based understanding of salvation, believing they must earn their way to heaven through good deeds, religious observance, or moral living. Even many who identify as Christians have somehow attached works to their salvation. But the gospel message is radically different: salvation is a free gift of God's grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ. We can know—right now, in this moment—that we have eternal life, not because of what we've done, but because of what Christ has done for us.