I have been watching the news concerning Queen Elizabeth, who recently passed away. I feel I know more about the queen now that she has died than I knew about her when she was alive. She seems to have been someone who was able to smile through all that life brought her way.
In watching the church services, I was reminded of attending the Anglican church as a child. I also attended the Catholic church on occasion. I was “confirmed” in the Anglican church. This is a process where you memorize scriptures, wear a white dress and once the minister prays over you, are able to take communion. At least, that is my best recollection. I do know one thing, despite all that process, I was not born again.
I was just part of a religious group. There is a marked difference between being religious and being born again. This is why in the scriptures Jesus says to some “depart from me I never knew you.” These were the people who thought because of their outward actions they had a place in heaven. Yet, Jesus told Nicodemus “You must be born again”. All the outward appearance of piety and adherence to Godly principles cannot get us into heaven. It takes a conscious acknowledgement that we are sinners in need of a Savior. It takes repentance and asking Jesus to come into our heart and be not only Savior, but Lord.
When I asked Jesus into my life and confessed that I was a sinner, I knew that I had experienced something miraculous. I felt a sense of peace that I had never experienced before. I had passed from death unto life. I knew that I had found the way to God. I knew that all my sins had been forgiven and I could now have a relationship with God.
I hope that Queen Elizabeth was born again. I hope that she was able to stand before God and hear the words “well done thou good and faithful servant”. I do not wish to guess or pretend to have proof of this. I can only hope that she was. As I hope that when we stand before God, those are the words we will hear.