“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Most Americans claim they are Christian. They aren’t Muslim, Jewish, or Hindu; they were raised in the church or attend church; and they try to live by the golden rule.

Nicodemus was no different. He was one of the spiritual leaders—in our world, he’d be teaching the adult Sunday school class and serving on the elder board. Nicodemus had memorized all the laws and tried to live out each one. Secretly approaching Jesus, he was sure Jesus would assure him he had done everything needed to gain a relationship with God. After all, he had been working for this his whole life. And that is when Jesus said the words from the most famous verse in the Bible. They were spoken not to a person outside the church, but to one of its leaders.

Many people attempt to live good lives, working hard to make sure they secure an eternal relationship with they Creator. Like Nicodemus, however, they have missed the one thing they need to gain access to a true relationship with God.

God wants nothing more than to be in relationship with you, but unless you accept the free gift of his Son, you cannot enter into that relationship.

“I believe all people are loved by God and need Jesus Christ as their Savior.”

[Excerpt from Believe: 31-Day Devotional by Randy & Rozanne Frazee, pgs. 17-18.]