We inherited two things from our parents: physical life and a natural tendency to distrust others. It's even demonstrated in our very first relationship –the one with our own mother. She is the one who gave us life and cared for us. If anyone is worthy of trust, it should be her. But when we were infants, we didn't naturally trust mom to feed, clean and comfort us at just the right time. Instead, we demanded –even screamed for– what we "knew" was best. Mom should have been easy to trust, she was there holding and responding to our many needs. It's just not in our nature to trust anyone other than ourselves.
Death is the Problem –Not the Need of Forgiveness!
Realizing that it was difficult to trust mom –who was visibly with us– makes it easier to understand how we don't naturally trust God –who is invisible. This lack of trust describes our sin nature. Romans 5 explains that we have all sinned –not trusted God and demanded our own way– and therefore we have all subsequently died a spiritual death. Sin (lying, stealing, hating, killing...) is not the problem that separates us from God. No, it's spiritual death!
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned –for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come. (Romans 5:12-14)
On the cross, Christ paid for all of those sins for all of us –yet God still holds everyone accountable for one thing. The single, deadly, unpardonable, unforgivable sin is not believing in His Son. "Believing in Him" means trusting Him for life in the hereafter and also relying on Him for life in the here-and-now. The world's sin is described in chapter 16 of John and it is the only obstacle blocking a perfect relationship between man and God.
But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. (John 16:7-11)
God Offers Life
This bears repeating. It isn't that we need forgiveness for our sins. That was accomplished on the cross –once and for all –for all mankind –for all sins. Our problem is much worse than needing forgiveness! Spiritual death is what separates us from eternal spiritual life with God. Jesus explained the solution to Nicodemus; He called it being "born again."
In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, You must be born again. (John 3:3-7)
Everyone has been "born of the flesh" –born physically from human parents. That's what being "born of water" describes in this passage. Physical birth began with immersion in water within our mother's sac before we emerged from her womb. Being born of the Spirit began when we accepted Jesus for salvation. It was then that we were completely immersed into the body of Christ by the Spirit. It is through this second immersion that we received spiritual life –not merely forgiveness!
The offer was presented in the Old Testament to the Israelites.
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (Deuteronomy 30:19-20)
That very same offer was also presented to Adam and Eve. They were warned about choosing between the fruit of two trees in the garden of Eden: One was the tree of life; the other was the tree that brought death. (The section on Adam and Eve explains the implications of their choices.)
Now it's offered to each one today as God pleads with us to "Choose life through My Son!"
