“Yet is is far better to light the candle than to curse the darkness.” -W.L. Watkinson

It has been one week since Charlie Kirk was murdered. He was a force for good in politics, promoting civil discourse, patriotism and Biblical values. More than just a conservative activist, Charlie was a man of faith. He was a soldier for the Lord Jesus Christ first and foremost. As Abigail Dodd noted, Kirk was “a man in the arena”, alluding to the famous speech by Theodore Roosevelt. Charlie understood that we don’t stop fighting for freedom, namely religious freedom and freedom of speech. These gifts are never to be taken for granted. It is not lost on many of us that he wore a t-shirt with the simple but powerful word, ‘Freedom’, the day he was shot.

This man in the arena lived out his faith by going into the lion’s den of some of the most hostile and liberal universities. He went there to engage dialogue on political and cultural hot topics, but his main purpose was always to point people back to basic Biblical truths. Men and women are biologically different, all of life is sacred created in the image of God, go to church, get married, have families, were constantly woven into his talks. He was an apologist, defending the validity of Jesus’ bodily resurrection, the accuracy of Scripture and why Christianity is the only religion that improves civilization. Charlie Kirk evangelized the Christian faith under the job description of activist. Less than three months before his death, Kirk was asked in an interview what he wanted to be most known for when he was gone. He thoughtfully replied, “I want to be remembered for courage for my faith. That would be the most important thing; most important thing is my faith.”

Two passages in Scripture came to mind following the news of Charlie’s death. John 15:18-21 speaks of how Christians should expect hatred from the unbelieving world. Typically in the West, being persecuted for your faith looks like cancel culture, losing a job promotion, rejection from peers or even family. It normally doesn’t require losing your life. Yet that is exactly what happened to Charlie which is why his martyrdom is such a big deal. If you can be killed for your faith, for speaking freely and truthfully in the freest country in the world, then nowhere is off limits. Believers know this is what we have signed up for. It is not an easy path, but the Bible says if anyone wants to follow Christ he must “deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will find it” (Matthew 16:24-25). For the Christian, our lives are no longer our own, but bought with the precious blood of Christ. For most of us, it will require courage and obedience just to get up each day and live out the truth we know, dying to selfish desires. But it might cost us everything, like it did for Charlie.

The other passage in Scripture that keeps coming to mind is in Ephesians 6, “put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand” (vv. 11-13). Spiritual warfare has always been a reality this side of Heaven, but there are times in history which are like needles that burst our bubbles of acceptance in this world or assumed safety. This is one of those moments, a turning point, that draws a line in the sand of standing for truth. We either tell people Jesus Christ died for sinners, defeating death and is Lord of all like Charlie did, or retreat in silence and cowardice. An event like this can help refine our own faith, eroding the fear of man and death out of our hearts. Jesus reminds us to “not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in Hell” (Matthew 10:28).

Vigils instead of violence have filled universities across America, and in cities around the world like London and Sydney. Martyrdom doesn’t kill the message, it makes it spread like wildfire. Believers are rightly evaluating their own lives in how each of us are living out the gospel faithfully right where we are. Will we talk with co-workers, neighbors, family, friends and strangers even about the hope we have? Have we been doing the work God has called us to? Unbelievers may be considering for the first time their own mortality and eternity. People who consider themselves religious but not zealous might be open to hearing why you are completely sold out for Jesus. Isn’t it just like God to use the death of one of His children to spread the gospel even further?

Charlie Kirk carried a torch that is now passed on to us. Whether you’re 10 or 90, all of us can live with boldness and mercy toward others. His death is a call for all Christians to shine their lights brightly by staying faithful in speaking the truth with love, discipling and serving others for the glory of God. It wasn’t just a call on Charlie’s life although God had a specific purpose for him, as He does for you. But we follow Charlie’s example of evangelism because he followed Jesus’ example. The question is, are we ready? Have we woken up yet?

Grace upon grace,

April

“But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: ‘Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’ Be very careful then, how you live- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” -Ephesians 5:13-16