Charlie’s War
To the Editor:
Jesus left all believers with the great commission, “… Go and make disciples of all nations…” Matthew 28:19. Charlie Kirk’s love for God, his obedience to his word, and his love for his fellow man drove him to pursue that mission in a way that only the sincerest followers will. He knew that bringing the unfiltered word of God to the masses in the unapologetic way he did would endanger his life, because he knew the words of Jesus - “…you will be hated by all for my name’s sake…” Matthew 10:22, and “…I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.” Luke 10:3. But the knowledge of that did not deter him because he had a great love for people, and that love drove him to pursue his mission to open their eyes to their unbiblical beliefs and sin, even at the constant daily risk to his life.
Charlie created his organization “TURNING POINT USA” because he saw the erosion of Christianity in our country, particularly among the youth. An erosion greatly magnified by Satan’s use of the internet and social media. An erosion that was resulting in so many people that would “… call evil good and good evil…” Isaiah 5:20. A perfect example of that is a quote from his assassin. In talking about Charlie, the assassin said “I had enough of his hatred…” His twisted evil mind called Charlie’s love hatred, while being blinded to his own murderous hatred, as though he had carried out some sort of good deed. Charlie’s love was proven great, because “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 Ironically it was people like his assassin that he had the greatest passion to help.
Those who heard Charlie and opposed him either did not believe in the bible, or say they did but did not read and/or follow it. They rejected God, because Jesus said “The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me,” Luke 10:16.
He brought biblical truth in an unwavering way on the polarizing subjects of abortion, homosexuality, and transgender in a tireless effort to bring those in darkness into the light. That enraged those who have no regard for God’s word and whose “truths” are based on personal thoughts, feelings, and desires. For them, there is no absolute truth, only relative truth that each individual can determine for themselves, custom fit for their selfish passions. The bible refers to these selfish passions as “the flesh” and the apostle Paul wrote “…the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, and it does not submit to God’s law…” Romans 8:7 In war, a soldier that gives their life to save the earthly lives and liberties of others is a true hero. The world we live in is a continuous spiritual war, and the soldiers in this war that sacrifice themselves do so to save eternal lives. Eleven of the twelve apostles were martyrs in this war, and there are untold martyrs around the world every day. We know that Charlie joined that elite group of heroes because Jesus said “…whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” Luke 9:24. There is no doubt in my mind that the moment his physical body was put to rest, he entered into his eternal life and heard his Savior say “Well done good and faithful servant!” Matthew 25:23 Nothing happens in this world outside of God’s perfect knowledge and permissive will. When terrible things like this are allowed to happen, we can rest assured it wasn’t because God missed something or made a mistake. There is purpose in everything he does and allows, and we can take comfort in knowing “…that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28. It appears to me that God has powerfully used this event to transform Charlie’s organization “TURNING POINT USA” into an even greater force, and to bring so many to their knees to seek peace, comfort, and answers that only he can provide.
Charlie’s assassin brutally took a loving husband and father from his wife and two small children. Last Sunday, at Charlie’s memorial, his widow did something that is the most powerful show of God’s work in a person’s life that I have ever seen. After all the unspeakable devastation that assassin inflicted on her innocent family, she said to him “I forgive you”. That kind of love and forgiveness can only come from a heart and mind that has been transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.
That type of divine transformation is desperately needed by all of us, but is not possible through human effort. It is a supernatural transformation that only God himself can give, and he will give it to all who sincerely seek and surrender to him. “I love those who love me, and those who diligently seek me will find me” Proverbs 8:17. “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 If you have sought and found, then use that blessing as Charlie did to reach the lost all around you. If you have not, will you? Your earthly life is very short and your eternal future depends on it.
Randy Gardiner La Grange