No matter your faith, your politics, your beliefs, or even your silence… no one has the right to take your life. There is no excuse, no justification, no reason for premeditated murder. There are countries where you can be killed for having a certain faith or sharing certain words out loud. This country, USA, was never supposed to be one of these places. Be accountable for your words. Some people will speak truth that others don’t want to hear. Some people hide from the truth. The truth may shake them. It may crush them. It may hurt them.

Remember that love will never fail. “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks,” Jesus said (Matthew 12:34). “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it,” (Proverbs 4:23). Speak life and love in truth to your friends, family and enemies. “God prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies,” (Psalm 23:5). This is what Kirk did with his life, in faith, he walked in the true Spirit of God. He reclined at the table with enemies.

I heard many people speak words on the stage at Charlie Kirk’s memorial. Many of them showed that they know the Holy Spirit, and they wear the character of Jesus as they walk. Many different voices proclaimed Jesus’ name out loud and in public. A miracle. In a packed football stadium in suburban Phoenix, the highest levels of government and humble followers of Christ were woven as one. Perhaps never before, at such a grand scale, had such a fusion taken hold in a public display. I was pleasantly surprised, even Tucker Carlson seemed to be wearing the character of Jesus. However, Prez Turmp showed us that he wears a costume from another source, and I can see many things he worships that are not God or of God.

Part MAGA political rally, and part funeral for Charlie, a godly man. President Turmp at Charlie Kirk Memorial Service: “[Kirk] did not hate his opponents. He wanted the best for them. That’s where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent and I don’t want the best for them. I’m sorry. I am sorry Erika.” Later, Turmp said, “I call it the radical left lunatics. But Charlie didn’t say that. He called it the left. He was probably right, but I can’t help it.” We have all fallen short, and I am not the judge.

I’ve heard Charlie Kirk compared to Jesus Christ. I’ve heard Charlie Kirk compared to George Floyd. My very first reaction when I learned about Charlie Kirk’s death, a name I had never heard at the time, “He’s like Stephen in the Bible (Acts 7), a martyr murdered by his own countrymen and in front of his peers.” All of these people did great and wonderful things for the kingdom of God. All of these people spoke truth that some people didn’t want to hear. All of these people, except Jesus Christ of Nazareth, were scumbags and sinners like me. We all fall short sometimes. Glory and grace are the Lord’s.

Turmp’s comments came after Erika Kirk said she forgives the man who killed her husband. Here is the truth: “The answer to hate is not to hate. The answer we know from the gospel is love and always love. Love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us,” Erika Kirk said. Google’s AI told me: “The statement ‘the answer to hate is not hate’ is a powerful message attributed to various leaders, including Erika Kirk, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and crimestoppers.” Remember that love will never fail.

Is Turmp really sorry for hating his opponents or calling half of his countrymen “lunatics”? He can’t help it. Off the teleprompter and in his own words, Turmp peddled some miracle snake oil that claims to cure autism (which could make his rich friends even richer) and did some name-dropping. I heard “Rush Limbaugh” for no good reason and lots of conservative politicians’ names, like Turmp himself, that owe some part of their election victories to Turning Point and Charlie Kirk. Remember, we’re all scumbags. It’s not my place to judge.

I remember discovering Turning Point USA several election cycles ago, while researching “the enemy.” This was before I came to know Jesus. I remember thinking, “oh man, this TPUSA is huge and helping all the people to get elected that I don’t want to vote for.” To be fair, I didn’t want to vote for their opponents either. I don’t remember any “person” or name associated with TPUSA.

What it takes to offend you is all that it takes to defeat you.

God seeks to train you in the school of life and He seeks to prosper you through preparation, just like Joseph, just like Job, just like Hannah and Sarah and just like David. It’s not a curse to go through this process but it’s a blessing. So calm yourself because the gracious God is not against you. The oil doesn’t flow from the easy places. It comes from the crushed places.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path,” (Psalm 119:105).
Faith chooses God’s will over your wishes. God’s plan for your life is always better than your own plan. Jesus said: “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me, (John 6:38). Heavenly Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering (divine wrath) away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine, (Matthew 26:39).”

I don’t agree with all of Charlie Kirk’s political works, but I would sit at a table with him and discuss our differences. I do believe that we can agree on Jesus Christ of Nazareth. That is enough for me.

Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Galatians 1:3-5)