The events of the last almost three weeks have left me with a myriad of feelings and emotions. I am speaking to the death/assassination of Charlie Kirk and the aftermath that has followed. It has left me MAD, SAD and GLAD. Let me explain.

I am mad. I’m mad that this whole thing has happened. I am mad that it happened not in a third world, socialistic, communistic or Anarchistic country. It happened here in the freest nation in the world. I’m mad that we live in a country of freedom of speech and we have the right to express our thoughts, views and opinions without a thought of violence. And when we disagree we can sit, talk and come to agree to disagree about our differences. I’m mad that an individual thought his only recourse was to take a gun and take a person’s life.

But I am also sad. I am sad that a man lost his life. I am sad that a wife lost her husband. I am sad that two girls lost their daddy. I am sad that a video was put online and the world witnessed a murder. I am sad not only that a man lost his life but many people lost their jobs. I am sad people put hurtful posts on social media and celebrated this man’s death. Others publicly commented how much better the world would be now that he was gone. We have seen doctors, lawyers, first responders, school board members, nurses, teachers, professors, coaches, news reporters, and even a late night talk show host – even some lawmakers are under scrutiny for comments. I am sad for their loss of income and livelihood but at least they can start another job or livelihood while one man gave the ultimate price.

I am further saddened that we have come to this place in our great nation. It seems we can no longer agree to disagree. It has become a matter of red or blue, democrat or republican, liberal, moderate or conservative and which side you are on. I am sad that we have forgotten Jesus and that He tolerated all people. Yes, He did call out the sins as he saw them, Jews, and those not Jewish, and even the religious leaders (His harshest words were in Mat. 23 to leaders). And then I remembered, they killed Him too.

I am saddened that we have learned nothing from history. From the crucifixion of Jesus to the assassination of Mohandas Gandhi (1948), Malcolm X (1965), JF Kennedy (1961), Martin Luther King, Jr (1968), RF Kennedy (1968), John Lennon (1980), Anwar Sadat (1981), and Yitzhak Rabin (1995) or attempted assassination on Pres. Ronald Reagan and two attempts on Pres. Donald Trump. All of these assassinations have left an impact and caused serious repercussions. I am sad that we just keep repeating the pattern.

Finally, I am glad. I know this seems strange after the mad and sad rant. But, I am glad to read, hear and see the number of people wake up to what is going on around us. Some share the same feelings as I. They, we, have had enough. Regardless of the speech, belief or position, it never justifies killing/murder/ violence. Whether you are red or blue, liberal or conservative, gay, lesbian, homosexual, straight, trans or whatever, you are God’s creation. He loves you. He wants to have a relationship with you.

I am glad we are standing up to the violence and beginning to say enough! I am glad to see people asking questions about faith. I am glad we are seeing life is precious, we are not fighting against each other but something the Bible calls evil.

Maybe Charlie Kirk’s death is the catalyst to begin a revival in our nation and possibly world. For that I am glad and I think he would be to.

I was taught that when you ask the wrong question, you get the wrong answer. Perhaps we should not be asking why, how or any other question but “What does the Bible say about HATE”: The Old Testament warns against hatred of individuals (Cain against Abel, Joseph and brothers). God commands to love one’s neighbor and Proverbs tells us to pray for our enemies (Lev. 19:18 & Proverbs 25:21-22) and the historical narratives command to “hate evil” as an act of reverence to God (Proverbs 8:13 & Psalm 97:10).

The commands of Jesus are to love. In Matt. 5 (Sermon on the Mount, 5:22) He addresses the destructive roots of hate. When asked what is the greatest commandment, Jesus responds it is to love God but follows with “loving your neighbor as yourself.” (Matt. 22:37-39) The teaching undercuts any justification for hateful thoughts or actions toward others.

In the New Testament, not only do the teachings of Jesus point away from hate to love, so do the Apostolic Writings. John states that anyone who hates his brother is a murderer and does not have eternal life (1 John 3:15) and in Chapter 2 verses 10-11 that hating a brother indicates stumbling and he is in darkness.

The Apostle Paul lists hate in his sin lists in his writings to the churches. In Colossians and Ephesians Paul stresses the importance of unity and love among believers, not hate. He encourages not letting the sun go down on your anger (Eph. 4:26) urging believers to resolve conflict swiftly rather than letting them grow into hatred.

The overall message of the Bible is hate the sin not the sinner. Hate evil and evil things, not the people doing them. No, on the contrary, pray for them that they may see the evil and repent.

Okay, rant over. I will move back to better things next week.

Bro. Tim