A Clarion Call
One good man can change it all in a day.
Charlie still had much to give to the world.
A great deal of potential yet to be unleashed.
I don’t know what your views on him are, but it baffles me to see there are people celebrating the loss of a husband, and a father.
He was, and still is, a source of inspiration to literally millions of people including myself around the globe.
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He lived for Someone greater than himself, which lead him to stand for a purpose greater than himself too.
Amongst others, there are two profound lessons I have learnt from his life, and can take away from what happened.
1. To be of good courage.
It takes courage to go against the mould which the world constantly attempts to make you fit into.
He faced opposition, slander and threats to his own life.
But that didn’t stop him from standing on God’s word, speaking out against evil and living in line with the convictions that were laid on his heart.
I have learnt that courage is not the absence of fear, but action in spite of it.
There is a compelling gravitas when you see someone bear witness to the truth unapologetically.
He testified to the truth. Not his truth; the objective truth.
Let us not forget that the clearest statement Jesus gave about his purpose - the reason why He came to the earth - is about testifying to the truth.
Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
John 18:37 (ESV)
Courage is a virtue that is commanded all throughout the Scriptures:
John 16:33 ~ I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Joshua 1:9 ~ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Acts 14:22 ~ strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
Deuteronomy 31:6 ~ Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
2 Chronicles 32:7 ~ “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him…”
God knew that those who live for righteousness would need courage, and He would not command us to do something that He had not already provided for.
Looking at the Church historically, periods during which people have resorted to take Christians’ lives has only served to grow the Church. I’m not saying God wills for Christians to die - he doesn’t - but that He is so powerful, that even something like death which some mean for evil, He can turn around for good.
It’s crucial to understand the Biblical root of the Christian’s courage: the resurrection.
It is an unpleasant feeling to know that Charlie went to be with the Lord before he should have, but it is even more encouraging to know that physical death is not the end.
The resurrection is the greatest hope given to mankind.
That though Charlie died, yet shall he live again;
That what we do in this life, counts for the next.
I don’t know how a person can have hope in this life without a realisation of the resurrection.
And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.
1 Corinthians 15:17-19 (NKJV)
We shall not die, but live; in Jesus name.
2. To pray
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12 (ESV)
We should never forget that there is a spiritual realm, and that in it there is an unceasing battle between the powers of Good and Evil.
A critical look at history to this point will reveal overwhelming evidence for this claim. Faith gives the ability to comprehend it.
Sometimes it’s easy to feel despair and helpless; to throw up our hands in the air and say, “What does it help if I try”?
You may not have a platform with millions of followers, but your prayers count for more than just empty words.
Verses 13-17 in Ephesians 6 which talk about putting on the armour of God are common parlance in many Christian circles. But I find verses 18-19 are often overlooked.
Paul tells us to be “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication … with all perseverance making supplication for all the saints“ (v. 18).
To be honest with you in times past I felt uncomfortable praying for people who I never knew well. I didn’t feel enough of an emotional connection with them to care.
But several weeks ago, this changed as the Lord revealed to me its importance.
Christians are exhorted throughout the Scriptures to pray for each other:
Paul opens almost all his letters with a phrase communicating he incessantly prayed for the people he was writing to (Romans 1:9-10, 1 Corinthians 1:4, Ephesians 1:16-23, Philippians 1:3-4, Colossians 1:3, 1 Thessalonians 1:2, 2 Timothy 1:3, Philemon 1:4). Remember, Paul is the one who said, “follow me as I follow Christ”.
God’s people throughout the Scriptures are commanded to pray for country, leaders, and people in general:
This can be found in both Old & New Testament alike (1 Timothy 2:1-2;8, Jeremiah 29:7, Ezra 6:10, Psalm 122:6). Now, because I feel this must be mentioned, I know many of these people are bad and it’s easy to feel justified to not pray for them so they may receive their dues.
But that’s besides the point.
It’s easier to complain, but better to pray for what you want to see; easier to criticise someone because we don’t agree with them, but better to pray that the good (if any) they’re doing will be amplified.
You would want someone to be praying for you too:
There are Christians being severely persecuted all over the world: Nigeria, China, North Korea, to name a few. Even Paul, who’s life had great impact for God’s kingdom humbly asked the people he wrote to to pray for him to be delivered from those who sought to take his life (Romans 15:30-32, 2 Corinthians 1:11, Ephesians 6:19-20, Philippians 1:19, Colossians 4:3-4, 1 Thessalonians 5:25, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2, Philemon 1:22).
Had I known what I know now about the extent to which hate and death threats were levelled against Charlie, I’d have doubtless been praying for him. But there are still more on earth in the fight for truth who are in need of prayer as well. God forbid what happened to him should occur again.
If there be even one person who reads this and is convicted to start praying for others instead of just themselves, it shall bring me great joy. The Church and world is in great need for people to stand in the gap.
As I close this post, I marvel at the fact that there are those who say that Charlie was divisive, fascist, and hateful amongst other insults.
How many divisive & fascist people welcome disagreements, and seek to find common ground with those possessing opposing ideologies?
How many leaders promoting violence would have those who support them not riot, but celebrate their life after someone so violently and cowardly took it?
How many hateful people would, just days after the event, forgive the very person responsible, and say, “Charlie would too”.
It astounds me that such a narrative can hold weight to people.
“I want to be remembered for my courage and my faith …“
Charlie Kirk