What does it mean when you describe that someone is at the "tip of the spear"? It is an idiom or phrase used to refer to an individual who is at the forefront of a potentially dangerous mission, leading the way by taking the first and most significant actions. That person is a vanguard for social change; they lead the way in challenging circumstances and set the conditions for others to follow.
That was Charlie Kirk.
When asked what he most wanted to be remembered for in his life, he replied "that I showed courage in my faith." For Charlie this wasn't merely a profession of what he believed to be true about Jesus Christ. For Charlie Kirk, it was a call to action. He believed that also meant engaging our society where it was most vulnerable...our youth. He realized early on that our country was only a generation away from serious calamity. He chose to meet the challenge head on by going to college campuses and initiating dialogues with young (and old people alike) about his faith and their beliefs. Essentially, Charlie Kirk was an evangelist who was willing to talk to anyone, even if they completely disagreed with him. He modeled biblical truths.
- He was never afraid to say what he believed. (Mark 8: If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them.)
- He was respectful and firm. (But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect)- 1st Peter 3:15
- He asked hard questions. (Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. -2nd tim 4:2)
- He was often met with rage and insults. (If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.- John 15:18)
- He spent his life (time, money, and energy) as a father, husband, politician and believer doing what each of us has been called to do. He lived the Great Commission. (Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. -Matthew 28)
Despite known hostilities and dangers, He gave his life for the cause of Christ. ( I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. -Philippians 1:21) And he died doing exactly that.
This made Charlie Kirk a modern-day martyr. I think this aspect has really shaken many American believers to their core. We have not witnessed this type of persecution in our lifetime especially on American soil, and it directly challenges us regarding how bold we are willing to be in our faith. Many of us have been too concerned about being canceled, losing followers or being disliked that we won't even discuss our faith let alone actually tackle the difficult subjects head on. American churches have been afraid to call out sin. American believers have taken for granted the liberty that our faith does not put us at the risk of losing our lives. His death is a reminder that our lives our short, this is a spiritual battle, and we all one day will give an account for how we spent what was given to us. I've read accounts from many believers who have felt unexpectedly and deeply affected by Charlie's death in ways that are hard to articulate; the grief is profoundly deep and unexpected for someone you did not know personally. I think there are many reasons for this but for me personally I have identified at least two.
1. I feel our souls can sense when there is a spiritual shift. Charlie Kirk's death was one of those events. The church at large is connected by the Holy Spirit. We are all part of one body.
2. His courage. I have come to realize that most of the time when I am acting the least Christ-like it is rooted in my fears. Fear of rejection. Fear of failure. Fear of loss. Loving people and pleasing people are two entirely different goals; being salt and light in the world makes a clear distinction between the two and Charlie Kirk walked this line boldly. It has convicted me to my core. My profession of faith has to be both in word and deed without my fears or the hostilities of others having any influence on my behavior. That is hard. But with the power of Christ through the Holy Spirit and real-life examples, like Charlie Kirk, it means it is possible. And knowing that we are all human and are bound to make mistakes, be quick to repent I fall short.
His courage shines a bright light in a dark world on what our earthly lives are truly to be about; to bring Glory to God through Jesus Christ and advance his kingdom here on Earth. Kingdom advancement is an act of war. However, we must remember we are not fighting against people. We are fighting against the agents of darkness who don't want to see that happen. Christians should not engage in the cancel culture mentality.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.- Ephesians 6:12
We fight through prayer, professing the truth of the Gospel, and engaging with love (Ephesians 4:15) the lost that God places within the boundaries of our own personal calling.
"Tip of the Spear" (definition) : a unit or soldier who is the first to engage, leading the attack on a dangerous mission. Charlie fully realized he was engaged in spiritual warfare against the ideology of a God-less culture. The forefront of the battle is our youth.
As I wrestle with what happened to Charlie Kirk, my mind could not help but think of another martyr who was also at the End of a Spear named Jim Elliott. They made an entire movie about how he and a group of other men willingly went as missionaries to engage and bring Christ to a dangerous tribe in Ecuador. The Woadani were known for being extremely violent. Their culture was based on rage. Sound familiar? Rage is violent uncontrolled anger with a hostile response usually rooted in a secondary emotion such as fear or injustice. They ultimately killed all of the missionary men.
Jim Elliott also left behind a wife, Elizabeth. Elizabeth Elliott went back to the same tribe who killed her husband and eventually converted all of them to Christ. She said, "there is nothing worth living for unless it is also worth dying for." In my spirit I believe Erika Kirk could be the next Elizabeth Elliott for our generation. If you listened to her statement online, she has vowed to pick up his mantle.
Elizabeth Elliott also said, "God will not protect you from anything that will make you more like Jesus." This is probably one of the hardest truths that a Christian has to embrace. Following Christ involves suffering. Christ himself told us this. ...... God never allows any hardships that do not help to conform us into looking more like Christ or ultimately advance his kingdom here on Earth. There is always purpose. And in a world full of what appears as meaningless random violence, this is consolation to the Christ follower. I can say that I have experienced this truth firsthand. Trusting God, especially the last 3 years, has taught me that the hardest events I have ever walked through, ultimately were designed to make me more like Christ. It requires my cooperation to bring forth the fruit. Nothing is wasted in God's economy, and we are already seeing that with Charlie's death. The enemy may try to silence the messenger, but he has no power over the message. He cannot silence the Gospel. Persecution only causes the Word of God to spread. Brothers and Sisters...Don't shrink back.
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. -Genesis 50:20.
As Charlie would say, " Go tell someone about Jesus."
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