The tragic murder of Charlie Kirk on Wednesday has left us wrestling with feelings of horror, grief, fear, and anger. Mr. Kirk was an outspoken Christian man and was driven by his faith to be active in politics. Mr. Kirk's Christian character was on display in his activist work, as he boldly spoke out against sin but also treated those who disagreed with him with dignity. That a man like him could be murdered for his beliefs, strikes home for us in a powerful way. As we mourn the loss of a man who was a faithful husband and father and a powerful voice for Christ, I have a few things I would encourage us to reflect on and take away from this:
- There are those in our culture who despise what you believe and are willing to be violent about it. We've seen this not only with this murder but with recent church shootings as well. I say this not to engender hatred or distrust of our neighbors but to counsel us to be sober, on guard, and ready to suffer for the faith. Jesus told us that we would be hated (John 15:18-19; 16:2).
- Let us regard the example of Mr. Kirk as a godly example for us to emulate. He was an example of Christian courage, charity, and hard work. He honored God and cared for his family as a Christian father and husband.
- Let us renew ourselves in prayer for the church, our community, and our nation. There is much darkness and only the light of Christ can dispel it.
- Let it remind us to pray for his family and other Christians throughout the world who are losing their lives for the faith. A resource you can use to pray for persecuted Christians is Voice of the Martyrs.
- Let us renew our efforts to be faithful to God and to build a culture in our church and homes that exalts Christ and builds us up to live for Him.
May God have mercy on the Kirk family and on our nation. May this event be a means of God turning our nation to Christ in faith.