Reflections on Last Week’s Tragedy

by Jerry Benge

Last Wednesday September 10, as our nation was approaching the 24th anniversary of “9/11”, another epic event burst on to the national scene like a tsunami: the assassination of the popular conservative leader, Charlie Kirk.

The sheer horror of his murder performed before a large live audience (and now ubiquitously available on social media) will not soon be forgotten. It is a disturbing reminder of the evil that exists in a world broken by sin. By the way, if you have not already seen it, I would strongly urge you to refrain from watching it. If you have seen it, you obviously can’t “unsee” it, but you can ask God to give you grace to not dwell on it or obsess over it. Which leads to the bigger questions of what we as God’s people need to be thinking and feeling and how we should be responding as we move forward.

It is not my purpose to critique or defend Charlie Kirk’s stances on current issues. There is significant evidence that he was a genuine believer and that we share common ground with him on many issues. So, as we consider not only his murder, but the insidious way in which it was carried out, it is right for us to emotionally lament the tragic loss suffered by his wife, his children and all who knew and loved him. It is right to lament the shocking reality of such a depraved act. It is right to lament when others foolishly celebrate such evil! It is right to ask the question: “How has our society come to such a place where wickedness like this is applauded!?” Yet, the truth is that this present evil insurgence is not as “new” as it seems. In fact, it’s as old as the Fall. David acknowledges as much in Psalm 12:8: “On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of man. Even more sobering is the realization that the problem of evil is not only all around us…it’s in us! (Read Psalm 14!) Apart from the power of the Gospel through the Spirit’s work, evil would prevail in all of us! So, we lament, but with humility and gratitude for mercy undeserved.

That same awareness must shape the way we respond to the hate and the threats of those who oppose righteousness. If we are truly humbled by the knowledge of our own sinful condition, we can and must mortify the urge to return evil for evil by overcoming evil with good. Vengeance belongs to Him alone (Romans 12:17-21). This reality ought to cause us to be watchful in the words we use. While many admire those who can “shut down” opponents with poignant one liners on media posts, well planned words accompanied by constructive actions are the best weapons in the believers’ arsenal in the war against evil (Prov. 25:11; Rom. 12:20-21).

But the main “take home” is this: It is not simply political or social reforms that are needed, though Christians’ involvement in these things can be a positive and God-honoring endeavor. The movement that Charlie Kirk started has garnered much attention and opened doors to thoughtful conversations. But the deeper need is bigger than a political movement. What is needed most are Christians who will simply be Christ’s church: Church members who pray, who preach the Gospel to each other, who live the Gospel, and who both individually and collectively proclaim the Gospel. We must not let evil shame us into silence and isolation. We must speak. But as we speak, may we do so as ambassadors for our King (Col. 4:5-6).

Let us pray for each other to that end: For boldness; for clarity; and for God to turn stony hearts into hearts of flesh that will surrender to King Jesus as Lord and Savior.

[For a 90 minute podcast from Christ Over All called "Grieving with Hope and Getting to Work: A Tribute to Charlie Kirk:" click here.]