This was a question posed by a well-respected, intelligent figure in Israel named Nicodemus. He had just been emphatically, but lovingly told by the Lord Jesus, that “except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3, 7). Perplexed, he wondered how it was possible to receive a second birth. He asked in John 3:4, “Can a man enter into his mother’s womb the second time, and be born?” It just didn’t fit with what Nicodemus knew was the normal life cycle. To him, an individual was born and eventually he died—end of story.
Nicodemus’ spiritual view was limited by his understanding of the world in which he lived. Because it didn’t make sense to him, he had difficulty accepting what the Lord Jesus was presenting. How often are we marked by this same type of thinking? Our society is filled with well-meaning, intelligent people who do not accept the Bible and the good news presented therein because it does not conform to human logic. They ask questions such as the following:
Can I really rely on the Bible as the authoritative Word of God?
So many points could be made to support the reliability of the Bible, but none more striking than the fact that the Old Testament prophesies with stunning accuracy the coming of the Savior into the world. For instance, Micah 5:2 describes His birthplace as Bethlehem; His manner of death was described in Psalms 22:16. Even some details surrounding His death were predicted in Zechariah 11:12: He was sold for thirty pieces of silver!
God’s Word now speaks to you and says, “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth” (Isa 45:22). Isn’t it amazing that the eternal God of heaven wants so intensely to save you from your sins?
Would a loving God send me to hell?
Maybe we could ask another question. Would a righteous God allow a guilty sinner into a perfect heaven? That solemn verse in Hebrews 2:3 then becomes more meaningful. If we neglect God’s salvation, there can be no other choice but to needlessly suffer for our sins in the horrible, eternal abandonment of hell and the lake of fire.
How could a murderer truly be forgiven by God?
Even a murderer can cling to the promise that “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1Jo 1:7).
“How can these things be?” you might ask? They are true because the God Who cannot lie has spoken them. As the writer of Romans 3:4 says, “Let God be true, but every man a liar.” God provided forgiveness of sins by the death of His Son, Jesus Christ. Because of His blood, if you trust Him, you can be absolutely sure you possess salvation from your sins and the peace of knowing you’ll never be abandoned to hell and the lake of fire.