C. S. Lewis wisely pointed out that “The safest road to Hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without guideposts.”

The danger is that good people can be lost and on their way to Hell without knowing it. For instance, Nicodemus, the Jewish religious leader, was a good man. He asked Jesus a question about God and, ignoring his question, Jesus told him that there was only one way to see the kingdom of God, and that was, “You must be born again.” Understandably, Nicodemus was confused and asked Jesus for an explanation. Simply put, Jesus was saying that to enter earth we were born physically; similarly, to enter God’s kingdom—including Heaven—we have to be born spiritually. Jesus added that unless we are born spiritually, we wouldn’t even see the Kingdom of Heaven let alone enter it.²

And how can we be born spiritually? 1) By admitting that we have sinned and are guilty before God; 2) By believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that he died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins; and 3) By inviting Jesus Christ to come into our heart and life as personal Lord and Savior, and asking God for his forgiveness and the gift of eternal life.

For help to do this, please read “God’s Invitation to accept his full and free pardon,” on line at: www.actsweb.org/invitation.php.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you for explaining to Nicodemus, a good man and a religious leader, that he, too, needed to be born again spiritually to enter your kingdom of Heaven. Please help me to know for certain that I am born again and will be with you in Heaven when my life’s work is ended. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Mathew 10: 28 (NIV).

2. See John 3:3, 5 and 7 (NKJV)