I have given birth five times. While I expect neither applause nor gold stars for this feat, I will have you know that each time, the infant contributed NOTHING to the success of this venture. At no point did the doctor holler up the birth canal, “It’s all you! You’ve got this, Baby Schroeder!” If they had, I might have “accidentally” kicked the physician in the face.

It’s silly to think that a baby has a to-do list for being born, yet when it comes to being born again, the rule follower in our hearts craves a list.

When Jesus spoke with Nicodemus about being born again to enter the kingdom of God, Nicodemus was confused. As a Pharisee, Nicodemus knew rules and regulations better than anyone. His was the language of “Thou shalt” and “Thou shalt not.” But being born again? For a baby, being born is a passive experience. Nicodemus must have wondered how he could put that on a list of rules.

If you are a box checker like Nicodemus (and me), may these words of Paul (a one-time rule follower) put our industrious hearts at rest: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8,9).

The to-do list for your salvation was written by the Father. The Holy Spirit wrote his initials by every blank. The blood of Jesus crosses off every task.

Quit striving to earn the kingdom of God. It is yours.