Compelling Love

Followers of Christ have a new life in him, as Paul declares in Galatians 2:20,

²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

If your life is dedicated to bringing praise to God, then He is living in you.
David declares in Psalm 22:3 that God inhabits the praises of His people:

Psalm 22:3 (World English Bible – WEB)
But you are holy, you who inhabit the praises of Israel.

The lives of Charlie and Erika Kirk exemplify such a consecration. Her speech at the memorial service on Sunday, September 21 – eleven days after her husband’s murder on September 10, reflected the call God had put on his life which she also shares. Her words of forgiveness for the young man who killed her husband were especially moving:

“When he went onto campus, he was looking to show them a better path—a better life that was right there for the taking.
My husband, Charlie, he wanted to save young men just like the one who took his life. That young man… that young man… On the cross, our Savior said: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
That man… that young man… I forgive him. I forgive him because it’s what Christ did. And it’s what Charlie would do. The answer to hate is not hate. The answer—we know from the gospel—is love. Always love. Love for our enemies. Love for those who persecute us.”

Jesus describes in Matthew 16 how those who refuse to give their lives to God will lose their lives eternally. He then declares that when the Son of Man comes again, he will reward each according to their works.

Matthew 16 (NKJV)
Take Up the Cross and Follow Him
²⁴ Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. ²⁵ For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. ²⁶ For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? ²⁷ For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.

Asaph describes in Psalm 73 how he became very discouraged seeing righteous people living in great hardship, while wicked greedy people were thriving. Then the Lord showed him that people whose lives are given over to greed would be destitute in eternity. He repented and gave his heart to the Lord completely, looking forward to an eternity in heaven with God.

Psalm 73 (NKJV)
Thus my heart was grieved, And I was vexed in my mind.
²² I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You.
²³ Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.
²⁴ You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory.
²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. ²⁶ My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Jesus declares in John 14:3 that he will come again and receive his followers into heaven with him.

John 14 (NKJV)
The Way, the Truth, and the Life
¹  “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. ² In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. ⁴ And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

When Thomas asks how can they know the way, Jesus answers with the memorable words of John 14:6.

⁵ Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”

⁶ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Jesus then promises that the Father will send the Holy Spirit to live in believers.

Jesus Promises Another Helper
¹⁵ “If you love Me, keep My commandments. ¹⁶ And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— ¹⁷ the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. ¹⁸ I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

Charlie Kirk was an evangelist in the vein of the Apostle Paul, dedicated both to leading people to faith in Christ, and “trying to bring everyone before God as people who have grown to be spiritually mature in Christ.” (Colossians 1:28)

Colossians 1 (English Standard Version – ESV)
Paul’s Work for the Church
My work is to tell the complete message of God. ²⁶ This message is the secret truth that was hidden since the beginning of time. It was hidden from everyone for ages, but now it has been made known to God’s holy people. ²⁷ God decided to let his people know just how rich and glorious that truth is. That secret truth, which is for all people, is that Christ lives in you, his people. He is our hope for glory. ²⁸ So we continue to tell people about Christ. We use all wisdom to counsel every person and teach every person. We are trying to bring everyone before God as people who have grown to be spiritually mature in Christ.  

Charlie was indeed a martyr for Christ. In his “Prove Me Wrong” debates across college campuses, he used the political and cultural topics as a gateway for evangelism, winning thousands to Christ. One of his favorite Bible verses was Isaiah 6:8, ^“Then I heard the Lord’s voice, saying, “Who can I send? Who will go for us?” So I said, “Here I am. Send me!” His beloved wife Erika’s answer to that call is the same as that of her husband, “Here I am. Send me!” His martyrdom was not in vain. As she declared at the memorial service, “Everything that Turning Point USA built through Charlie’s vision and hard work we will make ten times greater through the power of his memory.” Together Charlie and Erika Kirk exemplify the message of Colossians 3:23 (NLV), “Whatever work you do, do it with all your heart. Do it for the Lord and not for men.”

David Krause, dhkrause2@gmail.com, https://compellinglove.net/