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 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.”

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.

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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
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Resources

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

The post The Charlie Kirk Legacy: A Life That Still Speaks for Christ appeared first on Debbie W. Wilson.