We have just learned of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, father, husband, political activist, and public figure. He was shot while speaking at a public event and has died. My deepest condolences are with his wife, Erika, and their children. There are few things more tragic than the sudden loss of a life, especially when a young family is left behind.
In recent days, we’ve also seen other heartbreaking acts of violence. There was the tragic school shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, where young children were killed and many more injured during a school Mass. And there was the random, unprovoked stabbing of Iryna Zarutska, a 23‑year‑old Ukrainian refugee, on a Charlotte train.
There was the senseless murder-suicide that took place recently in Montgomery County, Maryland, leaving behind a 5-year-old boy.
And, of course, today is the anniversary of the most tragic act of terrorism in American history– the murder of almost 3,000 people on September 11, 2001.
All of these tragedies are a reminder that the Sixth Commandment—that sacred command, “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13, KJV)—still matters. It is still at the bedrock of any civilized society.
Jesus deepened our understanding of the Sixth Commandment when He said, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill… But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment…” (Matthew 5:21‑22, KJV).
In other words, hatred in the heart is not far removed from murder in its essence. This is why He told us to love not only our neighbor–but our enemies!
Hatred—whether expressed in words, thoughts, or attitudes—paves the way for violence. The rhetoric we accept, the anger we allow ourselves to entertain, the demonization of “the other”—all of this poisons the soil of our souls and of civil society.
As the people of God–as the church–we must condemn violence, call people to love, and point people to the God of hope.
Pray for the loved ones of those taken recently by violence. Pray for our country. And pray for the church. May we be the hands and feet of Jesus in a world that desperately needs Him.
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Thank you pastor Brian for your encouraging words.
Pastor,
It truly is unreal out there these days. I live in a changed neighborhood where there’s no respect, love, or help from our neighbors. Everyone is in it for themselves. We’ve had murders, robberies, carjackings, and you can name a host of other crimes just in our location.
We moved here 20 years ago because our old neighborhood turned to crime. So we are now again between and rock and a hard place.
Thank you for these blogs, as you can see they are certainly needed in today’s world.