How do we handle evil behavior, hearing mean things about Charlie Kirk's death, and persecution?
Q: Charlie died, people are mean and rejoicing over his death, as people did to Jesus, and Christian mayrters & influential people. My heart is broken. This world feels hopeless.
I share his beliefs. How much disagreement can there be before my family, friends, and fellow americans—who mock his death—start viewing me as expendable too?
A:We follow Christ and pick up our cross daily, doing so. Where did Jesus cross lead? This is something many professing believers seem oblivious to. It's why we are called to count the cost of following Jesus. Deaths is the expected finish line, as it was for Jesus at Golgatha. But we being risen with Him shall live forever, so even if we die while serving Him faithfully, all it does is being us home to Him, in His presence, into sin free eternity. Whether we die as mayerters or in due time, what matters is being faithful.
Life isn't about us living cushy, getting all we want here and living happily. Its about serving God and living out our purpose for living and being saved. Persecution, suffering, hardships etc are all normal. Go read the New Teatament.
Matthew 5:10-12: "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
John 15:18-20: Jesus says, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."
2 Timothy 3:12: "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."
Acts 14:22: "Strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith, he said, 'We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.'"
Acts 5:41: After being persecuted, the apostles "left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name."
Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted 2 Timothy 3:12
As it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:20-21
For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, Philippians 1:29
Romans 8:35-37: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: 'For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."
1 Peter 4:12-14: "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."
There are only unsaved or saved people in this world. You rub elbows with 99% unsaved folk in this world daily.
There are only two ways to walk in this world—in light or in darkness. “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’” (John 8:12).
There are only two foundations. “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. . . . And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand” (Matthew 7:24–26).
Yes. It's sad but Charlie is celebrating with the Saints who have gone on before Him [believers], and with the Angels, and is finally with His Lord. Hes hanging out with Jesus & all the men hes admired in Christ through the ages including recent ones like pastor John MacArthur, and looking forward to all the believers finally all together entering into eternity...so we go with Christ into the forever sin free place. Our mind needs to be focused on the eternal and Jesus.
Remember Scripture says, "To be absent to the body is to be present to the Lord." And that Jesus prepared a place for us. That we'll evermore be with him once we finish our race here.
We need to live in sin biblical mindset.
Lets focus on growing in the Faith, so we can live holy, endure persecution and be lovingly sharing Christ with others until He calls us home.
I know folk who have been sharing Christ since 60s, 70s, and beyond through to today, do go into the world and share the Gospel. They've been faithfully ministering in csmousrsclong before Charlie Kirk, and will continue to. Churches equip the believers as does Para church ministries like livingwaters.com and even sites like mine. Many many here in US and globally hand out tracts, have convos wherever we go, and even open air preach. Every one of believers can do these things, once equipped. Perhaps today is the day God is pushing you out of your comfort zone and into the Lord's army as a commissioned ambassador, an evangelize, to start doing what hes called us to in the Great Commission.
The US hasn't been a place of civility and kindness towards one another, of folk raised in morals and being descent in our society for a while. It shifted in 2008 and snowballed during all things Trump. The devil wants division, hate, argumemts, fights.
The world is full of darkness, and hates the light, hates truth & those of God.
Matthew 6:23: Jesus warns, "But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!"
Declare truth in love:
● Jesus said, Repent and Believe the Gospel, Mark 1:15
● Jesus said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” - Matthew 3:2
Say with the Apostle Paul "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." 1 Corinthians 2:2. Let that be your motto. Souls are at stake here, dont have convos that are vain, void and useless; dont die on hills that don't matter. Keep it focused on the Gospel.
If you have convos and find youre talking to a crazed liberal, youre not going to get far due to their hate and vitriol. God has been red pilling folk for a few years now (esp sunce Covid era), and thats knocked down some of these hard walls. For the rest still hard hearted with roots of hate deep underground, theyre unreasonsble folk. If you use a current event that gets them fired up or made a mistake to bring up something political or patriotic try the below script in kind tone, not self righteous, but in loving fashion to swing to the Gospel. Drop all political things and go right to the heart of the matter [like using the 10 Commandments as bullet which goes right to the heart].
You: political topic/Charlie Kirk/etc
Unreasonable person : @!ghsmgush!! This that that blah blah blah!!
You [calmly, kindly & in love]:
Do you realize what youre doing is looking in a mirror. Have you ever cinsidered youre seeing things in a distorted way? This is the era of "get educated" right? Did you know theres a way to know and see things clearly & truthfully? Looking at the 10C for example. 🤔Can you name any commandments?☺️... [If they are fiesty, tell them youll give them $5 if they can name 5]. [If they cant, only name one or two, list some or all]. (Ask): Which one has been the hardest for you to keep? [Go from there. If self righteous go that convo path, if contrite ask if concerned theyll spend eternity in Hell then go the good news path].
If theyre very unreasonable they'll storm off. You tried your best and it isnt in vain. Anf God's Wird wont return void. They already know in their hearts God is real, theyre a sinner, and are accountable to God. Just pray for them and move on.
The key when talking with these unsaved spiritually blind folk who are brainwashed by Satan and his minions, is to not stay in the area of the intellect [politics/what abouts/pointing at others] but to move as fast as possible to the Gospel [law & Gospel] so the Holy Spirit can convict them, their conscience too, noting the Law is our schoolmaster to lead us to Christ, and thus the Gospel has the power to save, convert, transform a person. They come to see the truth, believe the truth, brings them to their right mind, and with this conversion comes new and right desires that are of righteousness. The darkness has been destroyed, the Holy Spitit dwells in them, and they live for Christ, focusing on eternity and not the temporary things of this world.
We're not trying to rearrange deck chairs on the Titanic of this world is going down, be like John Harper who choose to remain on board to help others. On the icy waters of the Atlantic, Harper he swam from person to person, asking, “Are you saved?” and urging them to get right with God through Jesus. He lived sharing Christ, and died doing so, to the glory of God. His legacy lives on because he was a faithful servant if Christ, whose work touched lives and their great great great great grandchildren, just as the righteous men of God in the OT and NT and pastors, known pastors, other known believers, missionaries and foxes book of mayrters impact us today. Build and leave behind a legacy where like Charlie Kirk your life pointed folk to Christ.
Charlie git MZ generations thinking. Hes also impacted folk 45- 65 and older too based on comments ive seen in hundreds of Facebook and social media posts since his death. He tried to call young folk/folk to rationally cinsider things, to challenge their wrong thinking, to correct liberal brainwashing they've grew up in from school to tv, movies, music, online decievers, politicians etc. He called thrm to critical thinking and common sense considerations. He challenged them to go look up true statistics, true American History, to read books that tell the truth (vs thr rewritten distortions of liberals indoctrination), and to see that Truth comes from God, morals come from God, and that good societies are build on Christian principles, while pointing folk to the Bible & Christ as Savior.
We should vote based on Christian principles and morality, thank God to be in a country founded on and laws made from the Bible, but also use our freedom and liberty here to share the Gospel. Since 1920s to 60s Ameruca has been under attack by atheistic demonic forces that have gone all out to stamp out Christisnity here, to secularize it, and in recent years tried to force us to lie and emvrace lies such as lgbt+ and abortion, among others. These arent political, these are moral and biblical issues - theyre God focused & sinful man focused. And only Jesus is the answer; salvation brings transformation, to restore us to truth and right thinking & living.
It's why intellect and political talking is useless unless its just an icebreaker to get to the Gospel.
An example:
What are your thoughts on Charlie Kirk?
What are your thoughts on the murder of Charlie Kirk?
Some have been lead to believe that Trump became a Christian in pre Covid years, encourages folk reading the Bible, prays, and talks of God, but do you think his current (life in moral areas) shows hes been born again?
[Choose a path]:
- He recently spoke of doing things which he thinks helps him get into Heaven. But based on what he said, he might hold some Christian beliefs, but hes not saved. Salvation is based on Jesus work, not ours. Have you ever understood the Gospel before? [Go thru Good test]
- Do you know how someone is born again? [Law and Gospel convo. That God causes us to be born again, transforms, gives spiritual life]. Would you like God to save you and make you a new creation?
- Hypocricy exists. Do you know the difference between false Christian religiosity and true Christianity? [Idolatry], [Law & Gosprl convo].
Jesus said "Repent and Believe the Gospel" in Mark 1:15
Theres varied ways you can use current events to reach folk for Christ, as a stepping stone, a door opener, an ice breaker.
Here's resources to get equipped to share the Godpel, resources, tracts, guidance to bless you as you go serve Christ in obedience to the Great Commission.
Related:
Grow in the Believers Right mindset; grace, forgiveness & love with patience as you minister.
God be with you.
Verses:
Ephesians 6:10-20
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
1 Peter 3:15:
"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."
2 Timothy 4:2:
"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching."
Colossians 4:5-6:
"Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
Luke 21:15
For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
Romans 10:14-15:
"How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'
Jude 1:23:
"Save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh."
1 Thessalonians 5:14:
"And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all."
2 Timothy 2:24-26:
"And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will."
James 5:19-20:
"My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."
Matthew 6:19-21:
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Luke 8:16
"No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.”
This desire to proclaim Christ at every opportunity is imbedded in the believer as a new creation (born again by God), who is so grateful He saved such a wretched sinner that we go and share this life saving message. I’d rather lose a friend or a job, talking about Jesus in hopes they recieve Him so we will be in heaven together, than due to fear or being ashamed of Christ, keep that relationship to the peril of never seeing them again after death, and to the displeasure of God for not doing my duty in love. Eternity is never ending, and it would only be a wicked servant who refuses to obey his master.
Ezekiel 33:6, speaks to the duty of a watchman to warn the people of impending danger, and if he fails to do so, he bears the responsibility for their blood.
Ezekiel 3:18-19
"When I say to the wicked, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn him or speak out to warn the wicked from his wicked way, that he may live, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet if you have warned the wicked and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his wicked way, he will die in his iniquity, but you have delivered yourself." While this verse was for prophets in Bible times, it shows the seriousness that every messenger of God is to do their duty, as they obey God's commands & in love to others.
Go and serve your King
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