How do we make sense of senseless evil? When a life devoted to truth and faith is cut short, our hearts cry out for understanding.
Last week, like millions around the world, I was deeply shaken by the assassination of Charlie Kirk. He was a man who loved Jesus and willingly walked into the lion’s den of university campuses to reason with students. Motivated by his walk with Christ, he invited his audiences to choose the topic they wanted to discuss.
Charlie’s kind and gracious spirit coupled with his faith and brilliant mind, drew enormous crowds. He also drew death threats—and last week, an assassin’s bullet.
Why such hate? I can think of two reasons.
- Radical anti-biblical ideologies can’t stand up to facts.
- We’re in a spiritual battle between good and evil.
Just as Cain killed Abel because Abel was good and Cain practiced evil, so those who practice evil hate those who practice good.
“Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous” (1 John 3:12 NIV).
This tragedy reminds me that we’re not simply dealing with “differences of opinion.” In cases of abject hatred, we are confronting evil—evil that, unless repented of, leads to eternal death.
The Stench of Death Versus the Fragrance of Christ
Did you know that believers give off a fragrance?
Even though I don’t drink coffee, the aroma of a good coffee shop makes me want to inhale deeply. The smell of steaks grilling can do the same. Pleasant aromas release good feelings while others, like rotten eggs, repulse us.
The fragrance Christians release has a fascinating twist. The Bible says the fragrance of Christ smells different—depending on the heart.
“Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?” (2 Corinthians 2:15-16 NLT)
When we walk with Jesus and proclaim Him as our hope, those being saved experience the sweet fragrance of life. But those rejecting Christ smell the stench of death—our very lives convict them of sin and judgment.
Charlie Kirk knew this truth. Like Jesus, he stepped boldly into hostile places because he believed the truth could set people free. Tragically, one who smelled death ended Charlie’s life—failing to realize the fragrance came from Christ, not Charlie.
A Life That Still Speaks
Though Charlie Kirk is gone from us, he is very much alive in heaven. Just as Abel still speaks, and as the martyrdom of Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, and their companions sparked a missionary movement, I believe God will use Charlie’s death even more powerfully than his life. For example:
- Dr. Naomi Wolf wrote, “I am getting texts from people—young people especially—saying that Kirk’s death has changed them forever; that they are becoming better men and women than they were.”
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Turning Point USA, the group Kirk founded and ran, says campus chapter requests have surged to over 37,000 since his assassination less than a week ago.
Charlie’s faith and courage call us to pick up our crosses and follow Jesus without fear. For as Paul reminds us:
“You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us.” (2 Corinthians 2:17 NLT)
Evil may silence a voice, but it cannot silence the truth of Christ. The fragrance of Charlie’s faith lingers on, stirring hearts and pointing people to Jesus. May we be bold enough to carry that fragrance into our families, our communities, and our culture—no matter the cost.
Evil may silence a voice, but it cannot silence the truth of Christ. Charlie Kirk’s faith still speaks, calling us to follow Jesus with courage. #CharlieKirk, #Hope Share on XResources
To learn more about biblical heroes of the faith, check out my Big God books.
Here is a link someone shared with me of when Charlie Kirk spoke at a church in Raleigh.
Blessings,
Sometimes I link to these great sites:
#MondayLinkUp #InstaEncouragements, #Let’sHaveCoffee, #Grace&Truth
Beautifully said Debbie. I especially love the part about the fragrance of Christ in us. I have no sense of smell since I was small but I pray I carry his beautiful fragrance.
I know that you do, Ann. I have a hypersensitive sense of smell. Funny how that works. 🙂
Exactly! Thanks be to God for those brave voices!
Amen!
Well said, Debbie. I’m passing it on.
Praying especially for his wife and children. John 12:23-28
Perfect scriptures to describe his life. Thanks, Marilyn.
Very comforting and hopeful words!
Thanks, Sara.
Encouraging truth! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Debbie.
Thank you, Jane. We certainly need an eternal perspective to keep our hope.
Yes, this is the attack of evil against righteousness. Jesus told us if they hated him they would hate us. Charlie is with Jesus. His work is done here and passed to others. May we pray for this light to shine across the world and illuminate the spiritually blind.
Yes! Shine Jesus shine through our words and actions.
Hi Debbie, Thank you for that lovely memorial for Charlie Kirk. I’ve been so amazed and thrilled at the outpouring of love and, even more so, people turning to Christ, as a result of this sad and horrible assassination. What a loss! And, at the same time, what a boost to his ministry and souls saved. Many people who never knew of Charlie’s ministry — including myself — have now been touched deeply by his service to Jesus and challenged to go forward in even more might and strength of the Holy Spirit as we see this great revival rising up around us. I believe God is reaping a harvest of souls to rescue from the world at the Rapture – that is getting nearer every day. So, God is once again bringing “beauty for ashes” (Isaiah 61:3) thru the martyrdom of one of His choice saints. I pray for Erika and his whole family as they mourn his loss and pray that God will give them “The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness” as they grieve. I will be in Apex on Friday and would love to meet you. Let me know if that would work. God bless you!
This loss has shaken me, and seeing the impact has heartened me. God’s ways are certainly beyond understanding but always perfect. I sent you an email about Friday. Thanks for reaching out.
Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy on our country, on our world. Please come quickly, Lord Jesus.
Amen and amen!
Dear Debbie. My heart is so heavy with grief over the voilent death of Mr. Kirk. The unimaginable heartache for his family.
I too am a devoted follower of Jesus.
A lover of scriptures and The Way.
I believe all people are created in the image of our Creator God, and have value and dignity.
Can we talk, discuss and love one another with this core foundation – Jesus Christ, God’s only son?
Can we stand together because of our love of Jesus the Christ and our belief all people have value and dignity?
Lori, I think we’ll be shaken a long time. Our founders founded our nation on the principles you mention—that humans are created by God, in His image. Our rights come from Him, not the government. When people remove God from their own lives and our government, we see the nightmare that results. Yes, let’s pray for Charlie Kirk’s family, our leaders, our young people, and our nation, and that God may use this as a severe mercy to save many while He has our attention.
Excellent essay, Debbie, yes, the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. Indeed, Charlie Kirk’s death will not be in vain, for his message will never be silenced by small men.
Donna, we have the privilege of seeing that truth played out before us. The kernel that died is bringing forth much fruit.
I feel so sad for his wife and children. But I have been amazed at the good God has been bringing out of Charlie’s passing.
I agree. So very sad and yet so inspired to see God’s Spirit at work drawing people to Himself.
Well said Debbie. He is such an inspiration for me and many others May we all step up to stand in the gap.
Yes. I’m been saddened, angered, and inspired by the events surrounding his death and how God is used it..
So wonderfully spoken Debbie! Amen and Amen indeed.
Visiting today from Joanne’s
xo
Thanks, Paula.
A touching tribute to Charlie Kirk. He continues to bring people to Christ. What a legacy!
On another note, I also don’t drink coffee but I enjoy the scent. Thanks for sharing that we, as Christians, have a fragrance. I hope mine brings others to Jesus. Thank you, Debbie.
I hope my fragrance does too, Katherine.