In order for a person to go to hell, what must happen? Nothing at all! If nothing happens, if you remain your same old self and are not born again into a living faith in Jesus, then you are ready for hell just the way you are. Jesus said, "No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again" (3:3). "Whoever does not believe stands condemned already" (3:18).

In order to have eternal life, something must happen: "You must be born again" (3:7). And you can't be reborn on your own; you must be "born of the Spirit" (3:8). Although you can't see God's Holy Spirit or his hidden work of rebirth, you experience a clear, conscious result: believing in Jesus.

Jesus has been lifted up on a cross (3:15) to take his people's sin upon himself; you must believe in Jesus to take his perfect goodness for yourself. "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" (3:16). In order not to perish in hell but have eternal life, you must believe in Jesus.

What does it mean to believe in Jesus? It means you not only know some facts about Jesus in your head, but you also have heartfelt confidence that Jesus is totally reliable and supremely desirable. You trust that God gave his Son for you personally, and you give your entire person to him.

PRAYER--Thank you, Father, for the gift of your Son and for new birth through your Spirit. Fill me with assurance and joy in believing, so that I may be saved and you may be glorified. Amen.