The assassination of Charlie Kirk yesterday has shocked and
deeply saddened many. People are particularly
troubled because this act of violence was carried out against a man who made it
his goal to enter into public discussion with those who held different
views. Kirk was respectful of his opponents,
even as he debated using his keen intellect.
I begin with Jesus’ words: “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Kirk’s assassination is a reminder that this
is indeed the world. It is a fallen
place of sin and death, and will continue to be until Jesus Christ returns. But we are able take heart because in his
death and resurrection Christ has overcome the world. He has conquered sin and
death. Already now we have eternal life as
the children of God through Christ. In Christ’s resurrection death has been
defeated, and we will share in this resurrection on the Last Day.
As we think about Kirk’s death, I begin where Kirk would
have, namely his faith in Jesus Christ.
Charlie Kirk was a committed Christian who confessed his faith in the
most public ways. He did interviews with
public figures who do not believe in Christ, and gave the reason for hope that
was in him (1 Peter 3:15). He confessed
with his mouth that Jesus is Lord and believed in his heart that God raised him
from the dead (Romans 10:8). Because of
this, we know that he is with Christ and that the Lord will raise and transform
his body on the Last Day.
Kirk commented on political matters, but he is reminder that
just because the world calls something “political” does not that it is so for
Christians. He spoke against abortion, the LGBTQ imperialism in our culture, and
transgenderism. He addressed the need to use sex within marriage, and the harm
that sexual immorality and pornography are doing in our world. He emphasized the importance of family, and
the roles that man and woman play in their complementary differences created by
God. He pointed out the threat of Islam.
These are not political issues. They are basic Christian views that are
grounded in God’s Word. They become political because there are forces in the world
that attempt to advance the opposite of this, and use the powers of government to
do so. As Christians we must not only speak the truth, but also in our vocation
as citizens we must seek to enact the truth in the political process. Much of
Kirk’s efforts can be called political because he was engaged in this work.
Today there are individuals who are publicly celebrating the
death of Charlie Kirk. They do so because of their religion. Many reject God altogether, but they have a
religion. Their ideology that encompasses matters such as abortion, LGBTQ, transgenderism,
etc. is their religion, and so the political enactment and advancement of those
beliefs is carried out with religious fervor.
This is a religion which seeks the complete subjugation of society. It
hates those who oppose it. The reaction to Kirk’s death helps us to
recognize this for what it is, and to understand how very different we are as
Christians. Jesus tells us, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall
love your neighbor and hate your enemy. ’But I say to you, Love your
enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of
your Father who is in heaven.”
We give thanks that Charlie Kirk is with Christ, and pray
that the Lord will comfort his family. As
we live in this world, we recognize it for what it is – a place of sin and
death. But we live knowing that Christ has overcome it through his death and
resurrection. We have that victory already now in Christ, and we will rejoice
in its consummation on the Last Day. Meanwhile, we bear witness to Christ and
God’s will for life. We seek in our vocation as citizens to see that we are
free to live according to his will because this is what is best for society as a
whole.
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