Please see the Special message at the end of this article.
“First, they came for the Communists, and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for me.” First They Came by Pastor Martin Niemöller
After the horrific day of September 11, 2001, there was a strong awakening of patriotism and the shocking reality that evil incarnate had come to America.
American flags were everywhere, and “God Bless America” was the song du jour.
That flash of activity and heartfelt response seemed to fade away to a whisper over the few months after the event, and after a year or so, to semi-silence.
Churches were filled to capacity for a while, and then things seemed to revert to ops-normal by the end of the following winter. Half-filled pews and indifference to God had set back in, not to all, but to a large majority who missed God’s warning to America.
“New York Strong,” we heard for a time, and then life got in the way, and the sharpness of the memories of that day began to fade.
Like those who attend church only on Christmas or Easter, the impact on many people’s lives faded. Like a campfire, a spark would partially flare up on subsequent 911’s and then would quickly become subservient to the daily grind.
It happened in New York City, and for most, that was a long way away, both physically and mentally. And now, it’s been a long time….
But this time…
I am watching the reaction to the murder of a Christian brother who knowingly put himself in harm’s way to try and convey the love of Christ through open debate and by appealing to reason backed by Scriptural proofs and logic. He was bold and compassionate. He also did not back down when confronted with vitriol and hatred.
Unlike 911, this time the manifestation of this evil seemed to strike directly at the heart. The sense that this was a spiritual battle is beginning to become visible to some.
Even though Charlie Kirk was not a family member, except to Christian believers, his murder took on a deeply personal quality to many. I am one of them.
Charlie’s murder seemed to strike at the heart, home, and family of most of Americans who had been living everyday life as if things were somewhat stable even when sensing that they aren’t. It seemed to appear, not just on media, but it had now infiltrated our lives and appeared right under our own roofs.
It conveyed a sudden shockwave of reality: “Absolutely nothing and no one is safe from the rising evil in the present world.”
A sudden malevolence threatened our lives, and the senseless and evil response by hateful people only confirmed that it is no longer subdued or restrained.
Now it seems the sermon of Pastor Niemoller would need to be expanded:
“Then they came into my Christian home for my family, but I ignored the signs…”
As in 2001, there are memorials, vigils, prayers, and gatherings. Not just here but all over the world. But this time, the focal point is not a city and a mass casualty event.
It is one person who unabashedly declared the Name of Jesus Christ, Name above all names, and I believe that is the real reason Charlie Kirk became a target of evil.
Charlie reminded people that we are all accountable to God, and that includes those who attempt to deflect that reality by saying, “Well, I don’t believe in God.” In that, they deny His chosen sacrificial Lamb who died that anyone who would receive Him might live, despite all the evil we see unfolding in this world.
All that Charlie Kirk was really guilty of was Testifying to the Truth.
For some, this hatred of Truth can’t be contained; it has hardened into malice, and they feed on it.
Now it has become obvious that some will act on it.
I Have to Wonder:
Although politics is an inevitable part of any national debate or discussion, it’s clear that it was not politics that drove Charlie Kirk. It was Love As God Defines it.
Will people truly understand Charlie’s real message and his love for the lost that he put into action? Will the real meaning of it be comprehended?
On the surface, Charlie tried to use logic and reason in an attempt to get people thinking rationally, but at the same time, he did not shy away from his obligation to Jesus.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Romans 1:16). [Greek – Gentiles. That’s everyone else.]
Will people understand that this time it’s really about a servant of God taking action to convey God’s message that Jesus Christ is indeed His Son and the Word of God is indeed His proclamation of His love for mankind, proven by Jesus’ payment of the consequences of sin and rebellion?
It is a very simple progression of Truth that God has provided in order for us to understand our need for a Savior. Emphasis added.
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
This is the proclamation of the Sovereign God that He has established the one and only way to eternal life:
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6).
I have to wonder: Will this message get lost in the analysis, debate, and conjecture that, at least at the moment, is caught up in a flood of emotion?
It’s not just broken laws that have resulted in this evil, but spiritually broken and damaged hearts that are the root of the problem.
I can’t help but believe that Charlie would want this verse in the Bible that he so loved to be taken to heart by everyone who mourns for him:
“He [Jesus] must increase, but I [His servant] must decrease” (John 3:30).
I have to wonder: Will the impact of his death to life transition and all it means endure longer because it hits so close to the heart of so many?
I hope and pray that this time, people will really be awakened and carry Charlie’s message forward so people will see that God’s Love is carefully wrapped within the context of His Empirical Truth.
Now to the crux of this article.
Two things I do know about the impact of Charlie’s death.
>If your response to his murder is based solely on emotion, it will fade away and be of no eternal effect. Eventually, it will be as if it had never been.
>If your response is to understand that Charlie’s success was based on his foundational relationship with Jesus and also receive Him with all your heart as your only Lord and Savior as he did, and then, if you resolve to live your life as he did, you also will be blessed to hear the same words from Jesus that Charlie Kirk did just a nanosecond after arriving in his/your eternal home:
“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord” (Matthew 25:23). Emphasis added.
Final Thoughts: Why Did God Allow Charlie’s death?
In no way am I equating Charlie Kirk (God’s servant) with Jesus Christ (God’s Son), but Jesus returned to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit so the Gospel would be spread over the entire world through the many voices of His servants: the Church.
Perhaps Charlie’s death and the reaction to it by so many is to serve that same purpose in these late stages of God’s call to mankind to repent and be saved to eternal life. Charlie was one person. Maybe now the rallying cry appearing on T-shirts: “We Are All Charlie Kirk,” will turn into action by those who are willing to become God’s servants.
That can be you:
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Jesus has made it clear:
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20). Emphasis added.
The special message I promised you:
For anyone who may read this article and has not trusted in Jesus Christ and therefore has no hope or peace in your life.
You can have hope. You can have the peace that Jesus has promised to all who have made Him their Lord and Savior. The peace that passes understanding.
It requires that you come before God on His terms and that you do so in your living years.
And, what are His terms according to His Word?
- Genuine repentance (turning to God instead of continuing to reject or ignore Him).
- Confession of sins (that you are a sinner and acknowledge that to God).
- That you understand that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
- To acknowledge to God that you are unable to pay that debt.
- Belief that Jesus Christ paid your death sentence for you on the cross and rose from the grave three days later, conquering death, just as He promised.
- To believe that Jesus is the Way, the only Way, that God has established by which humans may be saved from the consequences of their sin and rebellion.
God has made it absolutely clear that there is no one who comes before Him, under His terms, that will be refused.
- No one: no race, no color, no country of origin, regardless of any previous belief system: no one.
- No matter what your past sins have been, God can and WILL forgive you because He says He will.
- Salvation is available to everyone without any exceptions.
If you put all your trust for salvation in Jesus, and Him only, you can follow that prayer up by simply saying, “Thank you, Father God, for hearing my prayer and saving me,” because we can trust Him to keep His Word. He always has. He always will.
“Truly, Truly, I say to you that he who hears My words and believes the One who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned. He has crossed from death to life” (John 5:24).
There are no answers and there is no hope in the world by governments, organizations, politics or politicians. There are only lies and deception. But you can have the Truth and the peace you seek.
The answers are in the Word of God—The Bible. If you ask God, with all your heart, He will hear you.
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).
Pro Salvator Vigilans
To contact me: canoeman96@gmail.com