A Fitting Tribute

Life provides opportunities to make decisions - to glorify God or to make a futile effort to glorify self.  If we live according to the Scriptures and practice the teachings of Jesus, we can affect the lives of others and be at peace with the Lord and with ourselves.   In John 15 (ESV), Jesus taught His disciples:
7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.
10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.

There were over 60 thousand people packed into State Farm Stadium in Arizona yesterday for the memorial service of Charlie Kirk, slain at the hands of a young shooter on September 10, apparently a young man whose mind had been corrupted by the power of evil ideas. During her eulogy at her husband's service, his wife, Erika, recently named the CEO of Turning Point USA, the organization that Charlie founded, made some incredible statements about the alleged murder.  The New York Post quoted her words: "He wanted to save young men. Just like the one who took his life..."  She also said, "I forgive him because it was what Christ did. And what Charlie would do.”

The Christian Post quoted from Erika's stirring message, as well:

"On the cross, our Savior said, 'Father, forgive them, for they [know not] what they do,'" she said, before tearfully adding, "I forgive him," which prompted emotional applause from the throngs in the stadium.

"I forgive him because it was what Christ did, and is what Charlie would do," she said. "The answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know from the Gospel is love, is always love. Love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us."

Erika Kirk, who has since been named the CEO of Turning Point USA, said she has seen evidence that her husband's death has led to widespread interest in the Gospel, and noted that his assassination has not led to violence.

"We didn't see violence, we didn't see rioting, we didn't see revolution. Instead, we saw what my husband always prayed he would see in this country: we saw revival," she said.

"This past week, we saw people open a Bible for the first time in a decade. We saw people pray for the first time since they were children. We saw people go to a church service for the first time in their entire lives."

And, Vice-President J.D. Vance, as quoted in the New York Times, said. as a result of the death of Charlie Kirk: “I have talked more about Jesus Christ the past two weeks than I have my entire time in public office.”

Erika also shared insight into the type of man Charlie Kirk was - in an time in which you have men who are lost and confused and burdened by being described as "toxic," she provided a bold call to men, according to the transcript published on CBN.com:

Charlie perfectly understood God’s role for a Christian husband: a man who leads so that he can serve.

To all the men watching around the world—accept Charlie’s challenge and embrace true manhood.

Be strong and courageous for your families.
Love your wives and lead them.
Love your children and protect them.
Be the spiritual head of your home.

But please—be a leader worth following.

Your wife is not your servant.
Your wife is not your employee.
Your wife is not your slave.

She is your helper.

You are not rivals. You are one flesh—working together for the glory of God.

President Trump closed out the service and in his remarks, according to The Christian Post stated: "What was even more important to Charlie than politics and service was the choice he made in the fifth grade, which he called the most important decision of his life, to become a Christian and a follower of his Savior, Jesus Christ..."  The President described Kirk as a "...missionary with a noble spirit and a great, great purpose," adding, "He did not hate his opponents. He wanted the best for them." 

The man who has become known as Charlie Kirk's pastor, Rob McCoy of Godspeak Calvary Chapel in California, shared, according to The Christian Post:

"Charlie wanted his Savior to be the guest of honor; he wanted all of you to receive this gift from him — the why in what he did. Charlie was never afraid because he knew his life was secure in the hands of God."

"His blood was poured out because blood must be shed for the remission of sins," McCoy said.

"And His (Jesus) death upon that cross was sufficient for all the world's sins, but only efficient for those who, like Charlie, would receive Him as their Savior."

McCoy added, "Charlie looked at politics as an on-ramp to Jesus. He knew if he could get all of you rowing in the streams of liberty, you'd come to its source. And that's the Lord."

Christian apologist Frank Turek also spoke - he was 25 feet away from Charlie Kirk when he was shot to death at Utah Valley University, according to FoxNews.com, which related:

About five years ago, Turek said Kirk asked him if he would mentor him on the evidence for Christianity.

"Now, it's going to be difficult to mentor someone smarter than you," Turek said. "However, the only thing that surpassed Charlie's intellect was his humility, and so the few things I knew that he didn't, he wanted me to share with him."

Turek went on to say: "Now, I want you to know that Charlie right now is in heaven...Not because he was a great husband and father, not because he saved millions of kids out of darkness on college campuses, not because he changed minds and chased votes to save the country, not because he sacrificed himself for his Savior. Charlie Kirk is in heaven because his Savior sacrificed himself for Charlie Kirk."

While there has been a lot of static surrounding the death of Charlie Kirk - with many denouncing his work and saying some inappropriate and uninformed things on social media, Sunday's service gave a clearer picture about the man himself and the legacy he leaves behind.

But more that that, it can be motivational for those who know Christ to consider how we can allow the Lord to work through us to make His glory known.  Vice-President Vance said Kirk's death motivated him to share Jesus more.  His surviving widow forgave the man who took the life of her late husband and related what a godly husband looks like.  These are all acts of faith that can inspire us to make sure that we are pursuing Kingdom works, that we make Jesus known through our words and actions.  Above all, we are called to walk in the love that comes only from our Savior. 

Charlie Kirk appeared to be a man on a mission.  His mission may be different that ours, but ultimately, He was driven by his faith in Jesus Christ - the most important thing.  If Jesus is in the proper position in our lives, then we can be confident in Him to direct us in all our endeavors, so Christ might be seen in and through us.