When the World Hates You: A Reflection on Charlie Kirk’s Legacy

A few days have passed since the tragic assassination of our brother in Christ, Charlie Kirk. Yet, the sadness I feel is not like typical mourning. This grief is deeper…it feels as though it is the mourning of the Holy Spirit within us.

To many, this tragedy may appear as nothing more than political terrorism. But we, as Christians, recognize it as something far darker: a deed born of spiritual warfare. As Scripture reminds us, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).

Charlie knew this well. And like Paul, the fire of Christ within him silenced fear and gave him the courage to carry out God’s mandate: the Great Commission. With grit and tenacity, many witnessed Charlie boldly proclaiming the Gospel. I admired him. I was inspired the first time I heard him explain the Christian values woven into the founding of our beloved country. His intellect, his boldness, his conviction- each one was evidence of the Holy Spirit at work. I admire him even more today.

To me, Charlie was our generation’s Apostle Paul – hated by many for speaking the truth. Yet he lived with God’s warning in his heart: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first” (John 15:18). And he held fast to Christ’s promise: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). At such a young age, he loved Christ with bravery, and like the apostles, he traveled across our nation’s campuses, sharing the gospel and engaging in peaceful, thought-provoking conversations with those who opposed him.

Charlie was only 31. A young man at the beginning of life, a beloved husband and father of two little daughters. At 38, single and childless, I cannot help but ask, “Why?” Why must these girls grow up without a father? Why must a wife lose her husband? Why must his parents bury their child? And why am I here, living, when I have not done half of what Charlie accomplished for the Kingdom? And softly, God answered: This is earthly, fleshly thinking. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8–9).

In Christ, we know that the things beyond our understanding still hold a profound meaning and purpose. Just as Israel’s captivity in Babylon gave the land the rest it needed (2 Chronicles 36:21), so too may we, as Christians today, be given this moment; this opportunity.

So, what will you do? Will you sit and sulk? Or will you allow the Holy Spirit’s fire – that same fire that burned within Charlie – to roar? Brothers and sisters, this is the time. Let us rise together and show the enemy that the Truth will not be silenced! Take courage. Be bold. Share the Gospel. Embrace with reverence the Great Commission, our very reason for being born (Matthew 28:19–20).

How many times have you shared the gospel with someone this week?

We were not called merely to repost Christian content, to be a millionaire, to build a thriving business, to host a podcast, or even to have a blog. These may be blessings added unto our lives, but they are not what truly matters to God.

Do not be deceived, brethren. We share one common purpose, one mission that stands above all else: to win souls for the Kingdom of God (Proverbs 11:30). Let Charlie’s example not perish with him. Instead, let us continue the work. Let us keep the mission – God’s mission – alive!

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