Cassie Bernall was one of the fifteen high school students who died in the terrible tragedy in Littleton, Colorado, several months ago. Cassie was killed, but she left a testimony to her belief that has been reported nationwide.
“I know she is in heaven now,” exclaimed Cassie’s friend Pamela. She added, “That’s our comfort. That’s what helps us get through.”
“She is in heaven now!”
How did Pamela know that Cassie was in heaven? Was it because of her courage? When confronted by a gun and a question, “Do you believe in God?” she answered firmly, “I believe” - and was instantly shot. That was brave. That took more courage than many (or most?) would possess. But is that why she is in heaven?
No.
Cassie had been active in Christian work, in Bible studies, and in Christian youth groups. Was it because of her service for the Lord that she could be sure of heaven?
No, again. Christian service is good, but it cannot open the door to heaven.
What then? Cassie was born again. It means that Cassie had received the Lord Jesus into her heart and life and had become one of God’s children. “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:1213).
Two years before Cassie said, “I believe,” to the boy behind the gun, she had said, “Lord, I believe,” to Jesus Christ. She believed, and her whole life was changed. From being a careless, worldly girl, she had become a true child of God. That was being “born again.” She had a new life in Christ, a new and happy life.
She did not win it for her courage; she did not earn it by Christian work. It came by simply believing that Jesus Christ loved her and died for her -that He rose again from the dead and will come again.