Like a fantasy novel

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. - John 1:12-13

Now honestly, isn't this one of the coolest things you've ever heard?!?!

I mean, this could be the plot for a fantasy novel, but no, it's the plot of REAL LIFE! Ain't that awesome?

What's so great about it? → Become CHILDREN OF GOD

That basically says that, when someone is born of god, there is something divine in them, right? For a mere human, that's simply impossible. Born from humans is clearly human. But born from god is divine. Wow, I'm just starting to somewhat digest this.

And then there's this – you have to receive it. You have to receive the gift. You can't earn it by doing good deeds or pray multiple times a day or burn offerings. You “receive him” (Jesus) by believing in his name. Yes, it's THAT SIMPLE!

So what keeps people from becoming children of God?

Well, receiving Jesus has its consequences – your life and lifestyle changes. You might (or rather, will) face persecution for believing in Jesus in one way or the other. It's not always comfortable and nice. There will be sacrifices you'll have to make in order to grow and live with God. And, most of all, it's a heart's decision. Even Jesus said “know the costs to building a house before you start” - talking about knowing the costs it takes to follow Jesus before you do so.

YET!

The ones who DO receive him, become children of God, born of God.

And that includes eternal life without fear or pain, full with joy and happiness and being heir to God's kingdom.

Isn't that cool???

Okay, just imagine this:

The hero enters the temple. He is about to set off on another day by day business but as he is used to, he visits the religious place once a week. He walks up to the white altar and lifts his eyes to look at the far above ceiling. Suddenly a beaming light bursts out of the shades around him, swirling about like a storm wind and filling the place. The hero falls unto his knees, the sensation of holiness flooding over him and in a flash he sees all he had done, all he had failed to do, all his secret thoughts and realization hits him: He will have to die. He can't survive in the presence of this holy being. His life proves: He is guilty.

Tears start running and he cries out: “Oh God, please don't kill me! I have sinned and can't stand in your presence – have mercy on me!”

Slowly the flowing light calms down. Gently it glides around the hero and a powerful yet soft voice echoes through the halls.

“Do not fear! For I have heard your cry and I see your heart. I offer you divine eternal life in exchange for your old sinful human one. I offer you a life as child of God”

The hero shakes his head. “How could this be done? That is no equal exchange and I have nothing to make up for it!”

The soft voice continues:

“That is true. You cannot become holy like me by yourself. You cannot live a divine life the way you are right now. No matter what, you have to die.”

With wide eyes our hero stares into the light. “What?!”

A gust of light almost blinds him as the voice majestically resounds within his heart:  

“I have great plans for you. You will accomplish things you never thought you would. But through MY power in you it will be possible. My life in you will set you free of your worldly bonds. Reality is more than you can see. Yes, you have nothing to gain eternal life. All that awaits you right now is death. And there is nothing you can do to change it because you have sinned. BUT! … I have paid the price for you.”

“You have paid the price for me?”

“Yes. I have died for you, remember? I became human, yet without sin. Men have to die because of their sin. But I did not sin. Instead I took their sins and died for them. So I paid the price. For you. So that you don't have to die because of your sin anymore. And I rose from the dead. So you could have eternal life.”

The hero listens. It sounds unbelievable. “What do I have to do?”

“Believe in me and what I did for you! And receive this life as my gift to you. Once you receive it, your life will not be yours anymore. Your old self will have to die. And I will live through you and bring out the you that was meant to be. You will live for me.”

The hero swallows. Should he surrender his life to a god and live forever, but give up his old life for it? Or should he ignore this god and continue with his own life, accepting the death that will await him?

The voice seems to wait. As it speaks up again, the gentleness soothes the hero's heart.

“Please know that I created you. That I love you, unconditionally. I will not take your free will either. Every decision you make will be completely yours. But I would be very glad to welcome you as my child...

… now, what will you do? Will you accept my offer and live with me for ever – or will you decline it, live for yourself and die?”

What would you choose?