Into the Fire

I'm going to do things a bit differently today. I'm going to pray first instead of at the conclusion of my post as I usually do. 

Father, you established the number of our days with purpose. Death of the body is something we can't argue about. Death is the result of sin on earth going way back to the debacle in the Garden of Eden when the beautiful humans you made for each other came to the conclusion after listening to the devil that it would be fun to be like you. Bamboozled by the same sin as the devil himself: pride. As a result, not one of us since then is sinless. No, not even one. And yet because of your great love for us, Jesus came to be the sacrifice. And still, you give your creation free will and choice. Choose Jesus who gave His life for mankind, the Savior of the world, who provided access to His Father in heaven. Or not. In which case, "you" (mankind) serve the devil whether you realize it or not. You will, simply put, go to hell.

Lord, you made two choices for the human race. It took me 30 years to find Jesus even though I always believed in you. You rescued me from myself when I'd had enough of my choices. I can never thank you enough. Now, Lord, I ask that if somehow my words here, or the stories you've given me to write, can minister your incredible benevolence, grace, love, the sacrifice of your Son, forgiveness, the Gospel, in any way to anyone, please make it so. In the Name above all names, the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Charlie Kirk. Assassinated on a college campus. His death at 31 was instant, harsh, final. A kid with a rifle killed him. 

I've read many tributes honoring Charlie, his family, and Turning Point USA. Some incredibly eloquent. Personal and heartbroken. Spiritual assessments of what happened and what lies ahead. I'm sure after the writing or posting or airing of those tributes, it felt like it could never be enough for this fine Christian man, husband, and father to two little ones: the young man who proclaimed he most wanted to be remembered by His faith in Jesus Christ. 

This scripture was cited from some: Revelation 6:9-11.  

Still others stating hardcore facts about those who celebrated (and continue to) his assassination. 

I decided before I wrote anything concerning Charlie's death, I'd let the anger subside. However, when one sees or hears what those who quietly smirk at the event with silent pleasure, who joyfully pronounce his demise, who shout out obscenities about him which are hateful but even more importantly untrue, I will only say a few things to those people. They are as follows.

You will reap what you sow. In the vernacular: what goes around comes around right back at you and to you with the same force.

You have chosen evil which belongs to the enemy of your soul: Satan. He is your leader and guide whether you acknowledge him or not. You serve him: the perfect patsy for his hatred of God, of you, of everything good. You have been deceived.

Not everyone in the Democrat party is a bad person. Nor is everyone in the Republican party a bad person. The fact is you choose what is good, decent, righteous, and just. Or you choose the opposite. Those who celebrate the death of Charlie Kirk have chosen the opposite. They refuse to see how Charlie allowed those who embraced evil to have a dialogue with him, to listen to his point of view after expressing theirs. He gave them information so that the vile notions they'd received and deduced from their learning sources could be re-evaluated. He did it fairly, kindly, but firmly. This is the nature of real discussion. He was what Christians refer to as a "witness" for the life-giving love of Jesus Christ. 

A certain group on the left side of politics chooses to demean, debase, belittle, accuse, and vilify a certain group on the right. However, if you watch closely enough and don't lie to yourself, you will clearly spot that what that particular group on the left is in fact doing is projecting their exact and distinct behaviors onto the right – in other words onto conservative Christians. If you're serious about being objective in your examination of left and right politicians, you can see it plainly. Charlie Kirk was a master at confronting the leftist actions acquired by so many of the kids – and adults – in his audience. It's what changed so many of them, transformed them into true thinkers and gradual converts. Truth has a way of penetrating the evil we carry around IF we open the door to it – much like we opened the door to evil. 

Having given my thoughts to add to all the rest of the loving tributes to Charlie Kirk, I will close with this:

Amen.