Life Matters - September 24, 2025

Thou art the Way, the Truth, the Life, grant us that Way to know, that Truth to keep, that life to win, whose joys eternal flow.   – George W. Doane, 1824 (based on John 14:6 ; found on page 611 in Hymns of the Church)

‘’The evil murderer who took Charlie from us expected us to have a funeral today, and instead my friends, we have had a revival in celebration of Charlie Kirk’s life and of his Lord, Jesus Christ.” – Vice President J.D. Vance on September 21,2025

It is reported that President Donald J. Trump paid all expenses (some $30 million) for the event and related expenses that some call a funeral, some a memorial, and others a revival. It was a funeral as the last respects were given to a man’s deceased body. It was a memorial of a man’s life who has lived his life with purpose, a goal in view that transcends all the difficulties one may experience in this life. A purpose, a goal connected to God’s heart through our Lord Jesus Christ and stirring in the hearts and minds of hundreds of thousands at this revival event and millions more watching and hearing the event being streamed across this needy world. The Gospel of Jesus Christ was clearly presented and revival fires burned in the hearts of millions, of whom I am one. It’s been a while since I’ve been this encouraged by the happenings on this globe we all are living on temporarily.  

It is the knowing of life here being a temporary arrangement that initially gives us all a common ground of unrest—of struggle. When we also find common ground in repentance from our sin and peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, His Love being in and flowing through us, then we have infinitely greater common ground, a strong bond of love, encouraging others to that relationship with Jesus Christ, the One who redeems, saves, cleans up and sends out. ‘’Here am I Lord, send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)

Charlie Kirk did not know, when he prayed those words from the prophet Isaiah, where that commitment would take him. He did not know that his dreams would be fulfilled, in such spectacular fashion, even after he was gone. He didn’t know that September 10, 2025, at the young age of 31, he would suddenly be gone from this world, his temporal life snuffed out in his prime by an assassin’s bullet.

But, what Charlie Kirk did know is that Jesus Lives! And that all who come to Jesus could also live! And live a purpose-filled, purpose-driven, life. Personally driven by his Christian love for college youth Charlie did what he could while he could. He did it well. May the gap he left be filled to overflowing by those who still can.

I am no longer the young and naïve Christian I once was who expected all Christians everywhere to believe every jot and tittle exactly the same, to always get along and never have disagreements. I have come to believe it a part of maturing to not expect every Christian to agree with me on every point!

But there are non-negotiables…

God is.

Jesus, as God in the flesh, came to earth.

Jesus died for our sins.

Jesus rose again for our justification.

Jesus ascended to heaven.

Jesus intercedes for us.

Jesus will come again.

Jesus will judge.

The redeemed will live forever in glory with Jesus.

The lost will be forever lost. Forgotten.

That last infuses urgency into the message. There is no time to lose. To waste.

Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I want to join the Apostle Paul in rejoicing where Christ is preached, even though there may be jots and tittles of disagreement. I also want to be faithful, as Paul was, to teach, to preach if called upon, the whole counsel of God. To live, teach, and preach the law of Christ.

In the partial quote below of her testimonial speech, Ericka Kirk, now a young widow with two little children, gave us a glimpse into her late husband’s heart, and personally exemplified, at times with a trembling voice, with a soft heart, and tears, the Gospel of Christ to us all.

‘’…Charlie passionately wanted to reach and save the lost boys of the West. The young men who feel like they have no direction, no purpose, no faith, and no reason to live. The men wasting their time on distractions and the men consumed with resentment, anger, and hate. Charlie wanted to help them. He wanted them to have a home with Turning Point USA. And when he went onto campus, he was looking to show them a better path and a better life that was right there for the taking. He wanted to show them that. My husband, Charlie. He wanted to save young men. Just like the one who took his life. That young man.

Our Savior said that…Father…forgive them. For they know not what they do. You, that man. That young man. I forgive him. I forgive him because it was what Christ did. And is what Charlie would do. The answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know from the Gospel is love and always love. Love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us...”

A Christian has no good reason whatsoever to be bored. There is always somebody needing help. Christians have a love relationship with the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Love shows the way, speaks the truth, offers life, gives direction, gives purpose, offers faith, and a reason to live. Charlie understood. May we follow him as he followed Christ.  

Life Matters!