On September 10th, Christian Conservative advocate Charlie Kirk was assassinated while speaking at a college in Utah. His murder was quickly understood to be an assassination because he was a nationally recognized figure and his murderer was motivated by a deep hatred for his ideological views.
What could have become a lit fuse on a powder keg quickly turned into a contrast along political and ideological lines. No mass riots, or burned cities, or rampant violence ensued as Kirk’s supporters responded in outrage. Instead, those who appreciated Charlie Kirk’s bold assertion of Christian faith and Conservative policies held prayer vigils and peaceful tributes.
It was the Left that could not help itself from heaping scorn on the murdered man and even celebrating his murder. The vitriol was so pronounced that many celebrants lost their jobs for blatant insensitivity and callous inhumanity.
Followers of Christ who hold God’s Word in high regard and discern the times we are living in should not be surprised. Speaking of the End Times, Daniel recorded these prophetic words: “Many will be purged, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand” (Daniel 12:10).
It should not surprise us that “the wicked act wickedly.” What does surprise us is when the script is flipped and behavior is countercultural—like the old “man bites dog” headline. The idea that millions of young people would be deeply wounded and righteously outraged, yet constrain themselves to peaceful assembly and advocacy, that should have the attention of the entire nation. And when a grieving young widow forgives her husband’s assassin on national TV, the world takes notice and will be drawn to the Hope that is within her.
We’ve seen enough violence, mayhem, and murder to know that there is growing concern that our cities are pitching over into godlessness. The results are plain to see and cause for real and rising fear.
A Turning Point
Yet this moment may prove to be a turning point, if not for the nation then at least for many who are waking up to the challenge of living out their own faith in Jesus Christ and letting His Light shine through them in an increasingly dark world. The widespread response of Christian young people that they want to live (and serve the Lord) like Charlie Kirk offers real hope.
Our culture, our nation, and our world seem to be on an unstoppable trajectory. Filled with hate and bent toward violence (the very meaning of the word “hamas” in Scripture), the wicked will continue to act wickedly. Satan is gleefully inspiring murderous rage in those whose hearts are not filled with the Holy Spirit. But God is not dead and His Holy Spirit is stirring in the hearts of those who are His.
As the moment of Jesus’ return draws nearer by the day, hopes and fears will continue to rise. In the end, the realization of the hopes—and the elimination of the fears—will once again be met in Him.
While we wait, let’s encourage one another to set aside fear and act on the hope that is ours—the Blessed Hope that Jesus is coming soon. Make a point to encourage a young person to serve boldly in such a time as this, for their generation must carry the torch that can illuminate dark hearts until Christ comes.
Haters of the Truth
But today, haters of America and our Judeo-Christian heritage are not just attacking us from overseas. They are multiplying within our midst, and the ideology of hate has infected scores of young people who are being steeped in a loathing of everything that once made America great, beginning with the Truth claim that our blessings, our freedoms, and our very lives are a gift from Almighty God.
In recent weeks, a leading Democratic Senator has actually denigrated the words of the Declaration of Independence affirming that our liberties are endowed to all of us by our Creator God.
Now, we have experienced yet another turning point—right on the eve of the anniversary of 9/11.
In September, a young man who had been indoctrinated by wicked ideologies lashed out with homicidal rage. His own family has described how he became filled with hate, rejecting the faith of his parents and embracing the mantras of the Left. Tragically, his violent rage (the very definition of the word, Hamas) manifested in his assassination of Charlie Kirk—a conservative provocateur (a person who instigates conversation to advocate for a particular worldview and challenge others to engage in debate or dialogue) who was unashamed to profess his Christian faith.
Some will key on the word “provocateur,” but in this context the word simply means one who provokes dialogues or arguments regarding worldviews and truth claims. He did so by treating those who disagreed with him with dignity and grace, consistently inviting them to engage in a dialogue, and modeling the Lord’s own invitation: “Come, let us reason together” (Isaiah 1:18).
Many on the Left (and some on the Right) do not want to reason and they do not want to debate or discuss or offer dignity. They simply label their foes as deplorables and seek to impose their worldview on everyone.
The reaction to the murder of Charlie Kirk has been telling. Young Christians who were inspired by his message gathered to mourn and console one another—seeking to overcome a collective shock to their generation. But they also came together to praise the Lord and commit themselves to being watchmen and watchwomen in our darkening world.
On the other side, those given over to the darkness have celebrated Charlie’s murder, gloating that his voice has been silenced, even as they fail to realize that a million Charlie Kirks will now follow in his footsteps.
The divide in America and around the world seems to be growing wider by the day. Satan is raging because he knows his time is short. He is our enemy. Those who reject Christ are raging because their hearts are filled with confusion, hate, and despair. But that does not make them our enemy; as Charlie Kirk realized, that makes them our mission field.
Calling Heaven and Earth
The scenes playing out around the country right now prove that we are at a turning point. Will we turn back (repent) from the destructive course we are on? Or will our society continue to flaunt its rebellion against the God who has blessed America?
Moses offered the Children of Israel an unequivocable, black-and-white choice, saying, “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants” (Deuteronomy 30:19).
Less than a generation later, Joshua recognized his people’s tendency to wander away from the God of blessing. He challenged them to choose whom they would serve—the false gods of the age or the true and living God. Joshua made the bold declaration that regardless of their choice, he and his house would serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15).
Our nation is at an inflection point. I pray that in hindsight this will be seen as a turning point for the USA and for individuals around the world who decide to follow Jesus.
You may not think you can impact a nation. Charlie Kirk’s life proves that one person, inspired by power of the Gospel and willing to speak truth, engage with the lost, and shine the Light of Christ in the darkness can impact countless lives.
Choose this day whether you will rise to that challenge. Godspeed!
