Regarding the murder of Charlie Kirk and our response to this heinous act, there are a few biblical principles I need to share.
- Murder, the hateful killing of a human being made in God’s image, is always sinful and always abominable in the sight of God and should be in the sight of man (Genesis 9:5-6). If you are rejoicing over Charlie Kirk’s murder or the murder of any other human being you are in rebellion against God and you need to repent. Not only that, but 1 John 3:15 makes clear that hatred in the human heart is murder. If you hate Charlie Kirk or Mark and Melissa Hortman or any other person enough to be rejoicing in their murder, you are just as guilty of their murder as the individual who killed them. “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him” (1 John 3:15, ESV). Also, let’s remember, that hateful acts of violence given in return for hateful acts of violence are just as sinful as the initial hateful acts of violence. God has appointed governing officials to deal out the sword. We should call them to do so and to serve justice in this matter. Let’s be diligent to call the governing officials to task and hold them accountable (Romans 13:4). But let’s be careful that we do not try to serve justice through violence and end up serving a counterfeit justice. We should also trust that God will repay evildoers with perfect justice (Romans 12:19). We don’t know who killed Charlie Kirk. The culprit is out there hiding somewhere. God isn’t limited like that. He knows, and he will deal out justice. Trust him. Another point to make here: don’t commit a sin by blaming anyone until the true culprit is found. Not only is it unhelpful, but it could prove to be the sin of slander.
- God is sovereign. God reigns and nothing takes him by surprise or throws off his plans, including tragedy and the sins of mankind (Ephesians 1:11). God is good and holy, so his sovereignty can be unquestioningly trusted.
- Mankind is guilty and deserves God’s judgment. It would be easy in these moments to focus on the sins of one individual, the murderer of Charlie Kirk. And, let me say, I pray the murderer is caught and brought to justice. I pray that justice is served for Charlie Kirk’s family. I pray the governing authorities execute their God-given duties in this situation (Romans 13:1-7). This was a heinous crime and abominable sin against God. However, we need to be sure we do not get distracted from the fact that we are all guilty of rebellion against God and deserve hell for all eternity (2 Thessalonians 1:5-10). Christians, let’s not forget that the Bible is clear that this is who we were apart from Christ (1 Corinthians 6:9-11), and this is who all who are separated from Christ are. There is murder in every human heart and the only reason that every person doesn’t carry out all the evil in their heart is the gracious and restraining hand of God. Christians, don’t let unbelievers get distracted by Charlie Kirk’s murderer and forget that they will also have to stand before Christ and give account of their sinful and hateful rebellion against God (2 Thessalonians 1:9-10; Jude 14-15). There is a day of reckoning coming. We would be foolish to ignore it.
- God has graciously provided a way of escape from his wrath in the Lord Jesus Christ through his death in the place of sinners and his resurrection from the dead (Isaiah 53:5-7; John 3:16-18; 1 Corinthains 15:1-11; Ephesians 1:7-8; Philippians 2:5-11). Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13). Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved (Acts 16:31). That includes you. That includes the murderer of Charlie Kirk and the murderer of the Hortmans. Any sinner who will come to the Lord Jesus Christ, turning from their rebellion against God and trusting in Christ alone and his work on the cross will be saved from the wrath to come. Dear friends, this is the only answer for the world. Political parties will not save or transform anyone. Laws will not save or transform anyone. Education will not save or transform anyone. Medications and psychology will not save or transform anyone. It is only the Gospel of Christ that is the power of God to save and transform sinners (Romans 1:16-17; 2 Corinthians 5:7).
- The Lord Jesus will come again and make all things new (Revelation 21-22). Then sin, death, sickness, and pain will be done away with for those who are in Christ. He will be with us and we will be with him always. Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!
May Charlie Kirk’s widow and children be comforted by Psalm 68:5: “Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.”
In Christ,
Bill Whittington
Bible Living Blog 