I am posting quotes from the wonderful book by Billy Graham, Just As I Am, which reinforce points I offer in my book, The Boundless Love of God: A Holy Spirit Story:
One of the New Testament’s most compelling images of spiritual conversion is found in the phrase born again or new birth. . . . Jesus used it in His interview with the religious leader Nicodemus: “I tell you the truth, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God” (John 3:3). We each need what Jesus was teaching: a spiritual rebirth or renewed from within, by the power of God. . . . a spiritual rebirth is something only God can do. . . . God Himself takes up residence in our lives through His Holy Spirit. He begins to change us from within and gives us a whole new reason for living.
God created us in His image. He created us and loves us so that we may live in harmony and fellowship with Him.
He yearns to forgive us and bring us back to Himself. He wants to fill our lives with meaning and purpose right now. Then He wants us to spend all eternity with Him in Heaven, free forever from the pain and sorrow and death of this world.