If we serve, if we are genuinely New Covenant servants that get engaged in the lives of real human beings, there will always be the temptation to lose heart. So how do we overcome it? Just within this section of Scripture (of 2 Corinthians) I draw this following conclusion: Almighty God has fulfilled all His promises in the New Covenant. This is the most worthy cause to be fighting for. He has poured out His Spirit to give me all the assistance I need. As I gaze upon the glory of the Lord, I am aware of noticeable transformation in my life. This is evidence of His presence. He is with me and He wants to use me to transform others. What an honor to serve the living God regardless of the visible results. All that I have in salvation and ministry is a result of His mercy. I must show that same mercy I have received to others. This ministry is not mine, it is His. I’ll give all the problem people to Him. It’s not easy, but God will allow me to persevere if I keep my eyes on Him through the heartaches of service. He is using me as He wills, and while I serve others He is in making me more like Himself in my own Christlike transformation. Therefore, how can I lose heart (2 Cor. 4:1)?
Randy Smith

Girolamo Savonarola

Girolamo Savonarola

Girolamo Savonarola
1452-1498
Italian reformer. Girolamo Savonarola was in a Dominican monastery for seven years. He began to preach the Bible in Florence, Italy, in 1481. This city became a republic due to Savonarola’s preaching and his immense popularity with the common people. They elected him to be the city manager.

Pope Alexander VI offered him a cardinal’s position if he would quit preaching the Bible and exposing the sins of the Vatican. Savonarola refused the “red hat” of the cardinal and replied, “I’ll take a red hat of blood.” He was excommunicated, imprisoned, tortured, then burned at the stake.

Before dying, he said, “Rome will not quench this fire.” Nineteen years after Savonarola’s death, Martin Luther began the Reformation.

ARTIST’S NOTE: The color motif is that of blood and gloom. Alexander’s offer is suspended over Savonarola’s head, with its real import pictured clearly: the price of blood.

Ruckman ’66