Living and Dying for Christ

 "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21

Girolamo Savonarola considered his fate on the morning of May 23, 1498. He had been a Catholic friar, but was disturbed by the heresies that he saw promoted around around him. He had preached fervently against the Pope and preached repentance to the city of Florence. Revival had begun to take hold on Florence, and the masses were beginning to turn away from the Pope and the false teachings of Catholicism. After attempts to bribe him failed, the Pope had him arrested, tried and convicted of "reforming the government and cleansing the temple."

As Savonarola and two other men were led to the executioner in Florence, Italy, a peace came over his heart. Girolamo had no regrets. The bishop who was overseeing his execution declared, "I separate you from the church militant, and the church triumphant." Savonarola replied, "Not from the church triumphant! That is beyond thy power." His hands were tied behind his back, and he was hung as a heretic. His body would be burned later to deny him the honor of being buried by his followers. Savonarola's faithful testimony would greatly impact those who watched him die, and his testimony would inspire others who later led the Reformation in Europe.

Martydom seems like a difficult thing to face, but in reality "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord" (II Corinthias 5:8).  Dying for Christ in that sense is a promotion or gain, as Paul called it. The tough part is living for Christ. Every day we must die to self, to sin, and to the world in order to live for Jesus Christ. That isn't always easy but it is the only way for us to experience personal revival. we hope we would be willing to die for Christ if it came to that; but are we willing to live for Him today? God will give you the grace to do so, and when it comes time to die, even if as a martyr - His grace will be sufficient then too. 

Taken from Revival Today by John Goetsch and Nathan Birt.

Thanks for reading!

Pastor Matt Bookout