Dee: Have you ever heard the expression, "Born Again"? Did you know that Jesus Christ was the first person to use that expression? It's about an extraordinary gift that God wants to give to you. In the following few minutes we'll tell you about that gift, and how to receive it.

John: What you said brings to mind 2 scriptures. What Jesus said ... first, He said He came to give us life more abundantly. That's John 10:10. The other verse is Romans 6:23, which tells us the gift of God is eternal life.

Dee: What more could we want. An abundant life, one which is supplied with great quantities of good things and the gift of eternal life. Life everlasting. We may have a physical death but our spirit will live on with God for ever and ever.

Harv: Now, that gives purpose and meaning to life.

John: But mankind has a problem. Romans 3:23 says that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. In 1 John 3:8 it says, "He that committeth sin is of the devil".

Dee: The Bible tells us, everyone has sinned. I have. Harv?

Harv: Yes. I have.

John: Me, too.

Dee: What are some of the ways people may thing of to try to make themselves right before God so that they might receive the gift of eternal life?

Harv: Live by the 10 commandments.

John: Do more good than bad.

Harv: Be as good as or better than most people.

Dee: None of these will do it. Listen to Titus 3:5. "He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy."

Harv: You just mentioned the reason most people give for assurance that they won't go to hell, no matter what sins they commit. One reason they give for this contention is that a merciful God wouldn't send anyone to hell.

John: Part of what you said is true, Dad. Mom's already given us a Bible verse that told us God is merciful.

Dee: He is so merciful, He has provided a way for each and every person to receive this gift of eternal life. But He is also a just judge. Let me read some verses from 2 Peter 2. "If God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgement; if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness...; if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man... then the Lord knoweth how to rescue godly men and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgement while continuing their punishment."

John: Wow. That certainly shows that there is a hell and some will go there.

Harv: There are many, many more Bible verses that expound of the reality of hell. But I'd like to hear more on how to receive the gift of eternal life.

Dee: There's only 1 way to receive eternal life. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me."

Harv: God demonstrates His own love for us in this: "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." That's Romans 5:8.

John: Hebrews 7:25 says, "he(Jesus) is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them."

Dee: Yes, Jesus is our only way to receive this gift of eternal life. And he said "Ye must be born again." He also said that which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. Except a man be born of the spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God. John chapter 3.

Harv: Being born again is becoming spiritually alive to God through Jesus.

John: And just how do we do that?

Dee: Jesus said repent. Be sorry for our sins and turn away from them.

Harv: We must have complete faith in Jesus to save us from the condemnation our own sins bring upon us.

John: When Jesus saved me from my sins, he became my personal friend and Savior.

Dee: We must put total trust in Jesus. Then follow him. Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice and they follow me and I give unto them eternal life."

John: Mom, can you clarify what it means to put total trust in Jesus?

Dee: Well, it's more than just head knowledge. Even the devil knows who he is, but he won't make it to heaven. Total trust is turning every aspect of your life over to Jesus. It's being willing to live your life according to His word. Jesus said his sheep hear his voice and obey him.

Harv: Jesus wants you to invite him into your life. He said, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come into him."

If Jesus is speaking to your heart now, and you would like to invite him into your life, repeat this prayer after me:

Dee: If you prayed that prayer with Harv, did you mean what you prayed? Jesus said if you open your heart's door, he will come in. So if you asked him into your life and you meant it, He is there, and he gives you eternal life.

Harv: If you have asked Christ into your life, tell someone about Him. God has 4 basic instructions for you:
1. Read the Bible
2. Pray about everything.
3. Worship with others.
4. Tell others about Christ.