ILLUSTRATION BY FIKI. © 2025 ISI.BIBLE
Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” – John 3:3
Jesús le contestó: «En verdad te digo que el que no nace de nuevo no puede ver el reino de Dios». – Juan 3:3
The “New Covenant”[0] (see Luk 22:20; 1Co 11:25; 2Co 3:6; Heb 8:8, 13; 9:15; 12:24; cf. Jer 31:31–34) is the Law of Grace (Joh 1:17; Rom 5:21; 6:14; Eph 2:8; Act 20:24)[1] and the “good news” (Luk 1:19; 2:10; Act 8:12; 13:32; Rom 10:15; Heb 4:2, 6; Isa 41:27; 52:7; 61:1) of the Gospel—which is “the forgiveness of our trespasses [sins]” (Eph 1:7; cf. Act 2:38; 10:43; 13:38; 26:18; Mat 26:28; Luk 24:47; Col 1:13–14) and “the hope of eternal life” (Tit 1:2; 3:7) through the shed blood of Jesus on the cross, “according to the riches of His [God’s] grace” (Eph 1:7; cf. Col 1:14). It was revealed to us “at the right time” (Rom 5:6; cf. Gal 4:4; 1Pe 1:12, 20), “when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared” (Tit 3:3–5; cf. Rom 5:8) through God’s “only begotten Son,” Jesus Christ (Joh 3:16–18), and it completes the revelation of God’s plan for humanity. While the OT Mosaic Law was given to the Jews (Israelites), the NT Law of Grace is given and open to “everyone” equally and “impartially,”[2] no matter what sins you have committed or how long you have committed them. But it is only by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior through “belief” (“faith”) in Him along with active “obedience” to the Gospel and “perseverance”[3] in faith until death that one can be saved to “eternal life” (Joh 3:16; Mat 25:46; Tit 1:2; 1Jn 5:13, 20; Jud 21).
ENTER THROUGH THE NARROW GATE
The gate to heaven is called “narrow”[4] (see Mat 7:13–14; Luk 13:23–24) because there is only one “door” (Joh 10:7–9; Luk 13:24) through which you can enter, and that door is Christ. As it is written:
- “All authority” was given to Him by God the Father;[5]
- “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me [Jesus]” (Joh 14:6; cf. Joh 10:1–10);
- “There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Act 4:10–12); and
- “There is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1Ti 2:5; cf. Heb 7:25).[6]
Scripture emphatically declares there is no other way to heaven, despite the many “myths,” mysticism, superstitions, “traditions,” “decrees,” “commandments” of men, “philosophy and empty deception,” myriads upon myriads of “false teachings,” “false prophecies,” “fake gospels” (paraphrase), fanciful interpretations, opinions, beliefs, and “schemes” of man and the devil that abound in the world.[7] The various man-made religions “of this world”[8] offer no path to eternal life. Furthermore, know also that going to church, thinking oneself to be basically a “good person,” doing “good deeds,”[9] and performing religious rites, rules, rituals, sacraments, catechisms, creeds, and ceremonies will not save you to eternal life. Those who reject Christ and the Gospel have no other hope of eternal salvation (Joh 14:6; Act 4:12; cf. Mat 12:31–32; Mar 3:29–29).
THE OBEDIENCE OF FAITH
While salvation is “the free gift of God” (Rom 6:23; cf. Eph 2:8–9; Rom 3:24; 5:15–17; Joh 4:10; Act 8:20), He has specified rules (“the obedience of faith,” Rom 16:25–27; cf. Act 6:7; Rom 1:5; 15:18) as to how we must claim that gift. I do not want you to be uninformed about what He requires from those who desire to “call on the name of the Lord” (see Act 2:21; 22:16; Rom 10:13; 1Co 1:2; cf. Gen 4:26; Isa 12:4; Psa 91:14–15; 105:1; 116:4, 13, 17), so you do not “die in the wilderness” (Num 26:65; cf. Num 13:1–14:38; Heb 3:7–19; 10:38; 1Co 10:5; Rom 1:17) and so you are not “destroyed [lost] for lack of knowledge” (Hos 4:6; cf. Rom 1:21; 10:1–2; 16:18; Mat 15:14; 23:16–26; Mar 4:9; Joh 1:5; 4:23–24; Act 8:30–31; 17:30; 1Co 1:18–25; 2:14; 3:19; 14:20; 2Co 2:11; 4:3–6; 11:3; Eph 4:18; 5:15–17; Col 2:8; Isa 1:3; 3:12; 5:13; 27:11; 45:20; Jer 4:22; 5:3–4, 21; 8:7–9; Job 4:21; 36:12; Hos 8:14; Pro 1:7, 22, 29–32; 4:5–13; 5:12–13; 9:10; 14:15, 18; 16:16; 19:2; 23:23; Psa 49:20; 111:10; 119:139; Rev 2:7; 3:6).
We must approach God on His terms and as instructed to in Scripture, not however men, committees, conferences, councils, synods, and institutions think or feel it should be done (Hos 4:6; Rom 10:1–2; cf. Jud 3; Col 1:23).[10] Scripture tells us eternal (final) salvation involves all the following (Psa 119:160; cf. 2Ti 3:16–17):
You must …
- 1. Be born again:
Followed by a life of:
- 2. Obedience to the commandments of Christ (and the instructions of His apostles),
- 3. Bearing fruit for the Lord (the role of works in justification), and
- 4. Persevering in faith.
The Scriptural basis for the above is as follows:
| 1. | Be “born again” (Joh 3:1–8; 1Pe 1:3–5, 20–23; cf. 1Co 15:45–49; 2Co 5:17; Joh 1:12–13; Tit 3:5; 1Jn 3:9; 5:1, 18; Eph 4:24; Col 3:10; Gal 2:20; Rom 6:3–11; Jas 1:18; Rev 20:6; Psa 23:3) by:[13] | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||
| Followed by: | |||||||||||
| 2. | “Obedience”[18] (see Joh 3:36; Act 5:29, 32; 6:7; Rom 1:5; 15:18; 16:26; Heb 5:9; 1Pe 1:2, 22; cf. Mat 7:21–27; 12:50; 28:20; Mar 3:35; Luk 6:46–49; Act 7:39; Joh 8:31, 51; 14:23–24; Rom 2:13; 5:19; 6:16; 2Co 9:13; 10:5–6; 2Th 1:8; Heb 4:11; 11:8; Jas 1:22; 1Pe 1:14; 4:17; 1Jn 2:17; Pro 7:1–2; Jos 24:15)—to the NT “commandments” of Christ and the instructions of His apostles (see Joh 14:15, 21, 13:34–35; 15:9–10, 12, 14; Mat 5:19; 19:17; 22:36–40; 28:20; Mar 10:19; 12:28–31; Luk 1:6; 18:20; 1Co 7:19; 1Th 4:2; 1Jn 2:3–5; 3:22–24; 4:21; 5:2–3; 2Jn 4–6; Rev 12:17; 14:12; 1Jn 2:3–6; 5:2–3; Ecc 12:13). A Christian’s motive for obedience is “love,” not coercion (see Joh 14:15, 21–24; 15:9–14; 1Jn 2:3–6; 4:19; 5:2–3; 2Jn 6; cf. Gal 5:6; Eph 3:16–18; 6:24; 1Pe 1:8). But also note that (a) we recognize God’s authority, (b) you were bought and paid for by Jesus (“rescued” and “redeemed”), and (c) He owns you (gladly). You are, therefore, willingly becoming a “bond-servant”[19] of Christ (Rom 1:1; Gal 1:10; Col 1:7; 4:7; 2Ti 2:24; Tit 1:1; Jas 1:1; 2Pe 1:1; Jud 1; Rev 15:3; cf. Act 4:29; 16:17; 2Co 4:5; Php 1:1; Rev 1:1; 2:20; 7:3; 11:18; 19:2, 5; 22:3, 6);[20] | ||||||||||
| 3. | “Bearing fruit” for the Lord[21] (see Mat 3:8; 7:19; Mar 4:20; Luk 8:15; Joh 15:2, 4, 16; Rom 7:4)—for “faith without works is dead” (Jas 2:26). This results from being “doers of the word” (Jas 1:22–25; Mat 7:21; 12:50; Mar 3:35; 1Jn 2:17; Joh 8:31, 51; Rom 2:13), that is, doing “good works” that result from faith in and obedience to Christ (Jas 2:14–26; 1:22–25; Mat 3:8, 10; 7:15–23; Mar 4:20; Luk 8:15; Joh 15:2–8; Rom 7:4; 1Co 15:58; Rev 3:2, 15–16; Eph 2:10; 1Ti 6:18; cf. Mat 5:16; 12:50; 16:27; Luk 3:8; Gal 6:9; 1Jn 2:17; 2Co 5:10; Jon 3:10); and | ||||||||||
| 4. | “Persevering” in faith (remain faithful)[22]—continue in “perseverance” (Rev 1:9; 2:2–3, 19; 3:10; 13:10; 14:12; Rom 2:7; 5:3; 8:25; 15:4; 2Th 1:4; Luk 8:15; cf. 2Ti 4:7–8; 1Co 9:24–27; Heb 4:1; Jas 1:12; Php 2:12–13; 3:12–14; 2Pe 1:10; Rev 2:4; 3:15–16), “be faithful until death” (Rev 2:10), “hold fast” (see 1Co 15:2; Php 2:16; 1Th 5:21; Tit 1:9; Heb 3:6, 14; 4:14; 10:23; Rev 2:13, 25; 3:11; cf. Deu 11:22; Jos 22:5; Pro 4:4; Isa 56:4), “stand firm” (see 1Co 16:13; 2Co 1:24; Gal 5:1; Eph 6:11–14; Php 1:27; 4:1; 1Th 3:8; 2Th 2:15; 1Pe 5:12; cf. 1Co 15:58; Eph 4:14; Php 1:6; 4:13; Col 1:11, 23; 1Th 1:3; Heb 6:19; 11:1–40; 12:2; Jud 3; 1Pe 1:7; 2Pe 3:17; Psa 62:2), “suffer hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (see 2Ti 2:1–5), and “endure to the end” (see Mat 10:22; 24:13; Mar 13:13; 1Co 4:11–13; 9:12; 10:13; 13:7; 2Co 6:4; Heb 10:32; 12:1–2, 7; Jas 1:2–4; 5:11; Luk 21:19; Rev 2:3; 12:11; Php 3:8; 2Th 1:4; 2Ti 2:10–12; 3:11; 4:5; 1Pe 2:20), which is final eternal salvation and when you receive your “crown of life” (Jas 1:12; Rev 2:10; cf. 2Ti 4:8; 1Pe 5:4; 1Th 2:19; Rev 3:11), which Jesus awards to you on “the day of judgment.”[23],[24] | ||||||||||
Items 2, 3, and 4 are covered in more detail in the next section of this book.
[0] A covenant is a binding agreement (a contract) between God and man.
[1] Also the “law of liberty” (Jas 1:25; 2:12), the “law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:2), and the “law of Christ” (1Co 9:21; Gal 6:2).
[2] See the chapter “Come, All Who Are Thirsty” for verse references.
[3] Verse references for these are given later in this chapter.
[4] Small; “strait” (KJV); difficult.
[5] See the chapter “Our Hope” for verse references.
[6] Jesus is the only mediator between man and God—not Mary, the Pope, spirits of the dead, the apostles, angels, idols, other men, or man-made religions. Additionally, we are not to pray to Mary; that is a false doctrine and a completely worthless ritual of Roman Catholicism. See the chapter “Beware the Wolves.”
[7] See the chapter “Beware the Wolves” for verse references and more information.
[8] See the chapter “The Day of Judgment” for “of this world” verse references.
[9] Meritorious works or works of the Mosaic Law. See the chapter “The Role of Works.”
[10] As you go through the outline, please realize that every item has one (or more) attendant false teachings/fake gospels of man attached to it in an attempt to trick you out of following the true and correct Gospel that was given in Scripture (Jud 3). See the chapter “Beware the Wolves” for more information.
[11] The verb baptize is an anglicized version (English transliteration) of the Greek baptizo, which means to make fully wet [STRONG], to dip, immerse, or submerge [THAYER], and it is derived from the Greek bapto, which means to cover wholly with a fluid [STRONG]. The popular notion that one is baptized by “sprinkling” is contrary to Scripture. Furthermore, we see it written “buried with Him [Jesus]” (Rom 6:4; Col 2:12), not “sprinkled with Him”! Every example in NT Scripture shows the new believer being immersed in water—for example, “They went down into the water … when they came up out of the water” (Act 8:38–39) and even with Jesus, “Jesus came up immediately from the water” (Mat 3:16 NKJV). In effect, if you think you were baptized by “sprinkling” or as an infant, you have not really been baptized at all! See the chapter “What Happens at Baptism” for more information.
[12] Infant baptism is also contrary to Scripture. Children have no sin, so how can they “repent, and … be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (see Act 2:38)? Moreover, you get baptized because you want to do so after “hearing” the Gospel preached and “believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” (see Rom 10:17; Act 8:37), not because of family expectations, peer pressure, as an infant/baby, and so on.
[13] Contrary to popular opinion, you are neither born again nor saved to eternal life by simply saying a one-time “Sinner’s Prayer” that “invites Jesus into your heart”—a practice and prayer nowhere to be found in the entire Bible! See the chapter “Beware the Wolves.”
[14] Note that this repentance (“godly sorrow,” 2Co 7:10 NKJV) is not just a one-time event (see the chapter “Press On to Maturity”). It is also different than being sorry (or giving lip service) to the fact that you got caught doing something wrong. It is related to being “mournful” for your sins (and the sins of the world in general; Mat 5:4). Furthermore, besides being sorry for your actions (and maybe also apologizing and making atonement; Mat 5:22-24), true repentance also includes a sincere desire to change your ways (Mat 3:8; Rom 6:1-2), and even your thoughts and motives (1Co 9:23), and leads to a changed life that turns away from all forms of sin and toward Christ.
[15] You are making a statement to the effect that you believe all of the following to be true:
- Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the Messiah, the anointed one of God, the Savior;
- He is the Son of God, the Son of Man (God’s only-begotten Son);
- He is God in the flesh (fully man but also fully God);
- He died for your sins on the cross as your Savior—Jesus’ death on the cross was a complete, final, and total atonement (sacrifice, payment, ransom, redemption, propitiation) for your sins;
- Your sins are forgiven only by Jesus’ shed blood on the cross (and not by any works or deeds you do);
- He rose again (literally) from death to life after three days;
- He is your Lord and King, to whom you are committing your allegiance and obedience;
- You are willing to repent of your sins, to turn your life over to Him in all areas, and to trust in Him for all things at all times; you desire for His will to be done, not yours;
- He is coming again (literally, physically, visibly, in person) to judge all mankind for their deeds (sins) and to get you (literally and physically) to take you where He is—which is in heaven and where He has made a place for you; and
- He will raise you up to eternal life on Judgment Day.
[16] Note that confessing Christ is not just a one-time event; it is something that occurs throughout the remainder of your life as you remain faithful.
[17] You are not born again before baptism, nor is baptism a “good work of man,” nor is baptism optional; it is required “for the forgiveness of your sins,” to be born again, and for eternal salvation. See the chapters “Beware the Wolves” and “What Happens at Baptism” for more information.
[18] Note that obedience also includes abstaining from sinful actions and behaviors. See the chapter “Changing Your Worldly Habits.” You may also like our book The Commandments of Christ.
[19] Also, “slave” (Mat 25:21; 1Co 7:22).
[20] Note that it is only by “abiding in Him [Jesus] and He in you” (see 1Jn 4:13, 15–16; cf. Joh 15:1–10; 1Jn 3:24) that we can be obedient children of God, “always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1Co 15:58; cf. Gal 6:9); that is also how we “stand firm in the faith” (1Co 16:13; cf. Eph 6:10–17; 1Th 3:8). He abides in you by the “Holy Spirit” (Mat 3:11; 28:19; Mar 1:8; Tit 3:5; 2Ti 1:14, etc.), also “the Spirit of God” (Rom 8:9, 14; 1Co 2:11, 14; 3:16; Php 3:3; 1Jn 4:2), “the Spirit of Christ” (Rom 8:9; 1Pe 1:11), “the Spirit of Jesus” (Act 16:7), and “the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Php 1:19). See the chapter “Living in the Spirit” for more information.
[21] Contrary to popular opinion again, you are not saved by “faith alone.” Scripture is clear that works of faith done in obedience to the commandments of Christ (and the instructions of His apostles) contribute to and can affect your justification before God; see the chapter “Beware the Wolves.” See also the chapter “The Role of Works” for more information.
[22] Contrary to popular opinion still yet again, a Christian can indeed lose their salvation after being born again. See the chapters “Press On to Maturity” and “Persevere in Faith” for more information.
[23] See the chapter “The Day of Judgment.”
[24] Note that these crowns are symbolic—they are not literal crowns, and there is only one of them (called by several different names). It is a victor’s crown, which symbolizes your victory over sin (and death) as you persevered with Christ to the end.