A third of Americans now label themselves “born again Christian.” The term comes from a story in the bible in which Jesus tells a religious leader named Nicodemus that he must be “born again” in order to see the kingdom of God.

American Christians in the sixties – some say as early as the fifties – began labeling themselves “born again” believing it was impossible to be a true Christ follower and not be born again – spiritually reborn.
But being born again is not the only thing Jesus said his followers must be.

For example, one day a man asked Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” and Jesus answered, “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

How come a third of Americans don’t label themselves “sell everything” Christians?  How come being “born again” is a prerequisite but selling everything to help the poor is extremist?

Are some commands of Jesus not as important as others?