What a sad and deeply troubling week we’ve all been through.
I haven’t said anything publicly on social media about the death of Charlie Kirk, beyond sharing another writer’s post I found meaningful and offering appropriate Scriptures as they came to mind.
Allow me to share how Scripture has come to life for me as I witnessed the death of Charlie Kirk and the aftermath, while people of all stripes continue to react to it.
I have been reading Paul’s letters to Timothy last week and this week. This morning, as I moved into the second letter, I was struck by the thought that Charlie was a Timothy in his generation.
The man was only 31 years old, less than half my age!
But he didn’t let anyone despise his youth. He decided early on to be an example—to believers and to unbelievers alike—in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity. (1 Tim. 4:12).
Charlie was not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, or of standing in opposition to a depraved culture that had taught young people to be lawless and rebellious…ungodly and sinful…unholy and irreverent…murderers…sexually immoral…liars…perjurers, and… whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching that conforms to the gospel…(1:9-11).
I heard Charlie called an autodidact, a self-taught man possessing a remarkable ability to communicate complex ideas in an accessible and compelling way. He studied widely and deeply so he could respond to opponents from a place of wisdom.
Charlie Kirk applied his keen intellect and reasoning skills to…demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God (2 Cor. 10:5).
He did not conform himself to the world, but early in life was transformed by the renewing of his mind (Rom. 12:2). He was not ashamed of the gospel, and learned to integrate his faith in discussion of every contentious issue of our day.
And Charlie appeared to be fearless, not allowing himself to succumb to the enemy’s spirit of fear, but rather to God’s gifts of power, love, and a sound mind. (2 Tim. 1:7).
I heard Russell Brand, a fascinating public figure and recent Christian convert, say that he was shocked but not surprised when he first heard about the shooting.
The forces of evil, the spirit of anti-Christ, unleashed and running wild to destroy everything that is good, holy, and sacred, despise people like Charlie Kirk.
And it may sound odd to say, but I hope they hate me too. Jesus told his disciples,
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” (John 15:18).
In this context, I am reminded of Stephen, the first martyr we know about in the early church. Did Stephen know before he called out the wickedness and apostasy of corrupt, hateful, religious impostors that he would be stoned to death minutes after completing his speech?
We’ll never know until and unless we have the opportunity to ask him in the afterlife. But either way, the Bible’s evidence shows that it was worth it to him to speak the truth.
I think Charlie Kirk knew that, no matter how powerful his security detail, he took a significant risk every time he spoke at an event or debated with students under a tent on a college campus. He might not make it home to his wife and babies. He tried to stay safe, but is anyone really safe in this dangerous world?
I believe he counted the potential cost, and out of his love for Christ, his country, and for lost, confused people, he decided it was worth the risk.
So, the question for me is, what am I willing to risk to represent Christ and his kingdom in this crazy, hate-filled environment?
What about you? What are you feeling?
Please write to me if you want to share your thoughts. And, in the spirit of Charlie Kirk, write to me even if you disagree with something I’ve written, or especially if you disagree.
This is how we carry on Charlie’s bold, inspiring legacy.
I pray grace, peace, and comfort over your lives.
Ruth
