You must be born again

I received some response from last week’s article about being “born again” and active in a church. Just because you are active in a church (i.e.: member, giver, choir member, deacon, etc.) does not mean you are going to Heaven when you draw your last breath. If you want to believe that, you will find out you believed a lie, one second after your death.

The Bible is very clear as to what a person must do in order to spend their eternity in Heaven. In John Chapter 3, Jesus has a discussion with Nicodemus in the first seven verses and three times He tells Nicodemus (a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin) he must be born again. Paul writes in Romans Chapter 9 and tells us in verses 10-11 and 13 the need to be “saved.”

Friends, these are not “Baptist” or “Pentecostal” or “Charismatic” or any other denominational words. These words are found in every Bible and they mean exactly what they mean: in order to go to Heaven when you leave this world, you must be “born again” or “saved.” Both words mean the same.

I was born into a religious family and went to church for the first 20 years of my life. I had three years of Catechism. I was baptized as an infant. I was a confirmed member of the church. I took communion. I was an acolyte. My dad was Sunday school superintendent and mom sang in the choir. Yet, in 1969, when I was involved in a head-on accident, if I would have died in that accident, I would now be in a devil’s hell for all eternity. Why? Because I wasn’t born again.That happened on July 25, 1975 — six years later.

You can believe what you want to believe, but Jesus says a person has to be born again. And if He says it, I am going to believe it over what any pastor, or priest or spiritual leader tells me. Jesus said if you want to go to Heaven, you must be born again. That is going to strike a nerve with some people, but it is the truth. And here’s a question for you… what if it isn’t the truth? What if I am born again and when I die, I find out I didn’t need to be born again? Have I lost anything? No. But if I die without being born again and find out I needed to be, I will be separated from Heaven and God’s love forever. I am not willing to take that chance. Are you? Next week…I will share with you how you can be born again too.

Pastor Thad Gifford is lead pastor of the Crossroads Community Church of Madison County, 62 E. Second St., London. He can be reached at (740) 852-7800, e-mail him at sermon8er@aol.com or at their website www.3c-church.org.