Charlie Kirk: A Modern Day Martyr for Jesus Christ
BY LIZZIE MARGOLIUS
September 10th will be one of those days when we all remember where we were when Charlie Kirk was assassinated in broad daylight at an event in Utah. It’s not been lost on me either that not only is our society reeling from the aftermath of the murder of a culturally significant Christian conservative, but that yesterday we are also reminded of the tragedy that unfolded 24 years ago in lower Manhattan and across the United States.
Friends and acquaintances have texted me over the last 24 hours with messages of despair and sadness. Apolitical friends who knew nothing about Charlie Kirk have texted me out of the blue sharing their shock and dismay and I’ve been trying to think of what to say to each person in return. When I have no words to bring comfort, I turn to the only reliable source of creating order out of the chaos, God’s word. And today, I found that God’s timing is always perfect. Last week, I finished reading Ecclesiastes and saw that I had highlighted chapter 7, verse 15.
“I have seen everything in this meaningless life, including the death of good young people and the long life of wicked people.” My heart sighed and then I found myself asking “why?”
Because God’s timing is perfect. Because God is always faithful, always good, and always in control. By not revealing everything to us, God shows us His mercy and asks us to trust Him in return.
Most commentators have categorized Kirk as a political figure, but I see him as a Christian figure. His life was led by his deeply held belief in Christ, and he was not afraid to share those beliefs. In a world where discussion of religion or politics at the dinner table with people who are not like-minded can get you uninvited or even canceled, Kirk found a way to profess his faith and beliefs while inviting others to sit at the table with him. Charlie Kirk was not perfect, but anyone who watched him interact with total strangers could see that he possessed the attributes of a faithful servant. As Galatians 5:22-23a says “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
In the coming days and weeks, we may see justice and closure for the death of an innocent man, or we may not. Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rules and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in heavenly places.” And if justice is not to be found here and now, it will be found when Jesus returns, Revelation 19: 11-16 says, “Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kinds and Lord of all lords.”
Out of this tragedy comes the opportunity for each of us to carry on where Charlie left off. First, we need to forgive, stand witness to the amazing life of this Christian man, spread the gospel, pray, prepare our hearts and minds for more suffering, (Matthew 24: 9-12, “Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers…Sin will be rampant and the love of many will grow cold.”), and most importantly, continue to love one another (1 Peter 4:7, “The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.”)
On September 10th, we all witnessed the killing of a modern-day martyr. But as my pastor is always reminding us, there are far worse things to be than a martyr for Jesus Christ. For believers of Jesus we live, die, and live again, but there is no second life for those who don’t believe, they simply live, die, and die again. So let us remember that Charlie Kirk’s life here has ended, but his eternal life has just begun.
