Our Scripture reading today is John 1:10-13.
Verse 13, "Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."
Mankind's forgiveness and eternal salvation can only come through the Way, the Truth and the Life. The plan of God is the only plan that will work. John 1:13 explains several ways that we cannot be born again. Salvation does not come from our family. I am not a Christian today because my Dad and Mom are Christians. The statement, "I have always been a Christian is simply impossible." Each one of us was born in sin and we have chosen to sin over and over again. Psalm 51:5, "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me." Secondly, salvation does not come through man's goodness. Psalm 14:3, "They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one." Lastly, over time man has come up with different ideas as to how we can be assured of going to Heaven when we die. These are extraBiblical. This means they are not found in the Bible, but they are believed as if they were as important as Biblical truth.
We have been assured of eternal life in Heaven through the Gospel and the Gospel ONLY. The Gospel consists of Jesus Christ's death, burial and resurrection. Salvation is ALL of Jesus Christ! 1 Peter 1:23, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever."