A Personal Note: Charlie Kirk
On April 19th, 1775 were the opening shot of the battles of Lexington and Concord, which sparked the American Revolutionary War. Commonly referred to as the “Shot heard round the world”, ultimately leading to the birth of the United States on July 4th, 1776, and the signing of the Declaration of Independence on August 2, 1776.
The men who wrote the declaration knew that ultimately this would mean they’d be hunted by the tyrant, King George III. Yet they accepted this fact with extreme courage.
This act of treason against the royal crown was for the sake of freedom. They wanted to be able to practice Christianity, without the King’s control.
The historian David McCullough during a speech in 2005 stated that “At the time of the Revolution, they were all young. It was a young man’s–young woman’s cause.” 47 of the ~150 most influential people in the American revolution were aged 31 or younger on July 4th, 1776.
Going back another ~1800 years, another revolution occurred which quite literally rattled the foundations of the earth (Matthew 27:51). The original “Jesus Revolution”, being the life and ministry of Christ, and it’s traditionally believed that the disciples were also quite young, around their 20s and 30s. All but the Apostle John were martyred. Jesus himself was crucified at just age 33.
John 15:20-25 (NKJV) says: 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. 25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’
On Wednesday of last week, we witnessed the assassination of Charlie Kirk. A faithful servant who was certainly hated without cause, just like his Master.
I had the privilege to meet and see Charlie in action a number of times over the last couple years on college campuses and giving speeches.
The one thing that stands out above all else about Charlie is his identity, he’d always introduce himself as #1 a follower of Christ, #2 as a husband to Erika, and #3 a father to his two children. There was nothing you could do or say that would change it, those were his priorities and in that order.
As a result of Charlie’s death, hundreds of thousands of Atheists and backslidden Christians, many of whom didn’t even agree with Charlie, attended church yesterday.
Charlie’s political involvement and influence was not because he picked a certain political team, but because he took his #1 Priority of Christ, and wanted to proclaim The Gospel to all the world. Secondarily, he took Christian principles and applied them to all aspects of life. Giving America’s youth answers to questions that the church would refuse to address for fear of being “political”. He built his house on a foundation of rock, not sand.
Wednesday was a shot that was heard around the world. What was meant for evil, has sparked a revival especially amongst the youth.
History tends to repeat itself; From Jesus and His Disciples being a political threat to the Pharisees, the Revolutionary War, to today.
We are in a young men and women’s war, and September 10th was its Turning Point. Because of Charlie’s influence, a whole generation of Pro-Life and conservative activists have just been born.
Each of these major historical events were ultimately for one purpose, and it was to point towards Christ. What a blessing it will be to witness the next generation of torch bearers rise up over the coming months and years.
I will miss Charlie Kirk, but we continue marching on. In the end, we know who ultimately wins.
“At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee; On, then, Christian soldiers, on to victory! Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise”
Je Suis Charlie,
Scott Shamblin
Executive Director
Colorado Right To Life