Charlie Kirk’s Assassination: Lessons of Eternity and Forgiveness

Charlie Kirk’s tragic death grieves us deeply, but as Christians we must remember what Charlie himself knew: who he was in Christ and where he was going. That knowledge changes everything and offers incomparable hope in such a devastating time on this side of Heaven.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “To live is Christ, and to die is gain.” For those who belong to Christ, death is not the end but the doorway into the presence of the Savior. Charlie knew that, and his life reflected this truth so evidently.

That does not erase the pain of this immense loss. His family and friends are hurting deeply, and so are many who never met him but saw in him a bold defender of faith and truth. I had the opportunity to interview Charlie, and while it was only one conversation, it left me with a sense of his conviction and clarity. He carried himself as someone who knew exactly what he believed and why. That memory has made this loss even more personal for me.

Justice and Forgiveness

In moments like these, our natural instinct is anger. We want justice, and it is right to desire justice. Yet, Christ has commanded something even harder: to forgive. Forgiveness is obedience. It is not optional for the follower of Christ. Forgiveness is also repentance, because it requires us to turn away from our desire for revenge and turn back toward the God who has already forgiven us.

This kind of forgiveness is not sentimental or soft. It is rooted in the hardest truth of the Gospel. We forgive because we are commanded to. It is the pattern for how we live when evil strikes us personally or when it strikes the causes and people we hold dear. Romans 12:19 reminds us: “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” We forgive because God forgave us. We forgive because the cross of Christ absorbed the ultimate injustice. We forgive because our Savior prayed, “Father, forgive them,” even as He was nailed to the tree.

It is natural to want to lash out at the shooter, those that celebrate his death, or at those who encouraged a climate of hatred where such violence could occur. After all, they deserve our anger, don’t they? Yet our calling is not to be the world and add to the rage. Our calling is to reflect the mercy of Christ. That does not mean excusing sin or abandoning the pursuit of justice in the courts. It means refusing to let hatred take root in our own hearts.

Two Inescapable Truths

Charlie’s life and death remind us of two truths. First, that life is fragile and that our calling is urgent. Second, that as Christians our final destination is secure in Christ. Charlie knew where he was going. That same assurance can be ours if we belong to Jesus.

When I think of Charlie’s courage, I am struck by how often he walked into places where he knew he would face hostility. He debated, he spoke, he confronted falsehood, and he did it with boldness. That kind of clarity comes only from knowing your identity in Christ and your eternal security in Him. If we are to honor his memory, we must not retreat into silence or fear. We must continue to speak the truth in love, no matter the cost.

But we must also remember that truth without forgiveness is incomplete. To proclaim Christ crucified is to proclaim forgiveness extended to enemies. To live as His followers is to extend that same forgiveness in our own lives. This is one of the hardest commands Jesus ever gave, but it is also one of the clearest signs that the Gospel has truly taken hold of us.

Our response to Charlie’s assassination cannot only be grief, and it cannot only be anger. It must be obedience. That obedience looks like forgiveness, even when we do not feel like forgiving. It looks like repentance, as we turn from bitterness and entrust justice to the God who judges perfectly. It looks like confidence, as we remember that death has no victory over those who are in Christ.

So let us honor his memory not by clinging to anger but by bearing witness to the hope he carried. Let us speak truth boldly, forgive freely and live with the confidence that death does not have the final word. For the Christian, the reality is always hope, and the final word is always resurrection.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18 NIV)

Peter Demos is the president and CEO of Demos’ Brands and Demos Family Kitchen. A Christian business leader from Tennessee, Demos uses his biblical perspective and insight gained from his own struggles to lead others to truth and authenticity in a broken world. Demos is the author of On the Duty of Christian Civil Disobedience and Afraid to Trust. To learn more, visit peterdemos.org.