09/22/2025
A few days ago, when I heard it announced that they would be holding a memorial service for Charlie Kirk, my first thought was, "His widow will probably forgive her husband's killer".
To be clear, I didn't have that thought because I have any kind of cleverness or prophetic ability, or anything to my credit at all. But rather, the reason I had that thought was because I've seen and heard enough of Charlie and Erika's testimony to know that, like me, she is a Christian.
So what does being a Christian have to do with not only being able to forgive something that seems so unforgivable, but also being expected to forgive it? The answer to that question is what is on my heart to tell you today.
You see, it is impossible to even become a Christian if one doesn't first understand that they are a sinner who is guilty before a Holy God (Romans 3:23). And also, for them to understand that, in the most incredible act of love of all time, God gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the debt of their sin for them (John 3:16). And that when they put their faith in Jesus, and call on Him to save them, that God forgives that debt (Romans 10: 9,10 & 13).
That's what makes us Christian.
So what does all that have to do with us forgiving others? Or more so, forgiving someone who did something as terrible as what the person did that Erika Kirk forgave? After all, God didn't forgive us of something that awful, right?
Or did He?
Isaiah 53:5-6
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
You see, it was for OUR sins that Jesus suffered the beating. It was for OUR sins that Jesus suffered the cross. It was for OUR sins that Jesus cried, "It is finished" and died.
Our sins caused every lash of the whip. Our sins placed the crown of thorns on His head. Our sins drove in the nails..... and if God can forgive us of all that, then as Christians, we should be able to forgive anything (Matthew 18: 21-35).
May God bless Erika Kirk, and may He make her testimony a powerful message that brings many to Jesus.
