Freedom in Death

As you may have read I have been reading "Bonhoeffer" by Eric Metaxas. This is a fabulous Biography about Detriech Bonhoeffer who lived and died during the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party.


The following is primarily quoted straight out of the book. It struck me very vividly how this man lived his life and how deep his faith ran. I draw some very thin parralels to his circumstance but see a great gap when it comes to his faith. You see, Bonheoffer lived his life believing that he was in the hands of God. That life was a gift from God that was to be lived to its fullest. That we were to be Chritians and obediant to God while engauging in the things of this world. That we were not supposed to try to avoid the things around us buit to allow God to work through us in those situations for his glory.



One of his early sermons is quoted just below. I ask that it is read slowly and that you think about what Bonhoeffer is saying here. What these words say about his faith and his outlook on the promises of God.



"No one has yet believed in God and the Kingdom of God, no one has yet heard about the realm of the resurrected, and not been homesick from that hour, waiting and looking forward joyfully to being released from the bodily existance.



Whether we are young or old makes no difference. What are twenty or thirty or fifty years in the sight of God? And which of us knows how near he or she may already be to the goal? That life only really begins when it ends here on earth, that all that is here is only the prologue before the curtain goes up - that is for the young and old alike to think about. Why are we so afraid when we think about death? Death is only dreadful for those who live in dread and fear of it. Death is not wild and terrible, if only we can can be still and hold fast to God'sWord. Death is not bitter, if we have not become bitter ourselves. Death is grace, the greatest gift of grace thatGod gives to people who believe in Him. Death is mild, death is sweet and gentle; it beckons to us with heavenly power, if only we realize that it is the gateway to our homeland, the tabernacle of joy, the everlasting kingdom of peace.



How do we know that dying is so dreadful? Who knows whether, in our human fear and anguish we are only shivering and shuddering at the most glorious, heavenly, blessed event in the world?



Death is hell and night and cold, if it is not transformed by our faith. But that is just what is so marvelous, that we can transform death."



Bonhoeffer, was imprisoned by the Nazis for his involvement in a plot to kill Hitler. In the final weeks of his life, and near the end of the war against Germany, Bonhoeffer was transfered to Flossenburg Prison. There he would die just after Easter. Flossenburg Prison Doctor, H. Fischer - Hullstrung gave the following account of Bonhoeffers last moments alive.



"Through the half opened door in one room of the huts I saw Pastor Bonhoeffer, before taking off his prison garb, kneeling on the floor praying fervently to his God. I was most deeply moved by the way this lovable man prayed, so devout and so certain that God heard his prayer. At the place of execution, he again said a short prayer and then climbed the steps to the gallows, brave and composed. His death ensured after a few seconds. In the almost fifty years that I worked as a Doctor, I have hardly ever seen a man die so entirely submissive to the will of God."



Bonhoeffer died as he lived, as an example of his faith. He believed with every ounce of his being that God was in control of everything. His relationship with God was evident in everthing including the moment of his death. When you compare the words of his early sermon and the description of his death he died believing that his death was the beginning of his life in heaven. He died as a faithful Christian.



How many of us long for that type of faith? To be so sure that nothing would cause us to drop our head in sorrow. Even I get now get overwhelmed with thoughts of sorrow for my situation when he only saw them as Gods will. How can there be any sorrow if we truly believe in God? How would there be any fear if our hearts were sure? We are to strive for that relationship, strive for that freedom. We are to be so sure in our faith that in our last moments we pray, and look up, and watch as the door is opened and our Lord looks to welcome us.



Continue to dive as deep as you can into your faith. Heed the calling and trust in the Lords salvation and the glory that God has set aside for us. Know that you are saved. Know that you are His. Know that you will live for ever at the right hand of the Father. Know this and be free.



Father, thank you. Father form me into this character, the character of unwielding faith. Move me into your depths and allow me to trust you fully. Do that for all that have even the slightest faith in you.