I am reminded today about how much the darkness hates the light, about how fragile the human psyche is and how capable the lost soul is of being enticed by evil. I am honestly disheartened and physically ill to see such displays of deranged celebrations not thirty seconds after the ringing out of the fired bullet which opposes all the freedoms that supposedly “we the people” represent. I hope there is still “we”.
My heart is broken repeatedly as I read the most heinous and cowardly proclamations from people so wicked that they hide behind anonymity online. It’s broken because of what their words represent, a lack sympathy for the people that this tragedy has touched, but furthermore the deep pit of darkness that is found in their own souls, which are unbeknownst to them crying out for the very light which they hate. They are the antithesis to a Charlie Kirk who believed that the best way to address our differences was through honest conversation. They love hiding and hate accountability or intellectual challenge.
This travesty of an event eerily echoes for me the spirit that jeered on the crowd and Saul of Tarsus to murder the first recorded martyr for the Lord, Jesus Christ.
“Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”
(Acts 7:54-60)
Charlie Kirk openly shared Jesus with the crowds he spoke to. I can’t help but think about the witness that he has for the Gospel, even now in death. I pray that there were some Sauls in the crowd of onlookers that day, that they would be receptive to the Holy Spirit and surrender to the Lord Jesus. That they would come to represent grace to the world they once cheered on evil with. The enemy is at work, but he hasn’t won today and he never will. For those who are in Christ, this physical death is an illusion. It is as powerless as the celebrations of the enemy because it is a false front beyond which all enemies of God perish, and all his children live forevermore. Praise be to God. God help us.
Grace and Knowledge 