12/09/2025
Whether you loved him or hated him, I think the Bible is clear on the way forward for every Christian.
Like the rest of America, I was shocked by the assassination of Charlie Kirk on September 10th. Honestly, I didn’t closely follow his career, but I was aware of him. At times I enjoyed his reels where he debated college students and reminded his audience to be respectful to those who bravely stepped up to the microphone to disagree with him in front of hundreds of their peers. This is not to say that I agree with every stance of his, the specifics or conclusions of every political or theological position he took. Still, he was an outspoken Christian, and by the testimony of those who knew him personally, a genuine disciple, loving husband, and devoted father.
In the wake of his death, friends and acquaintances across the political spectrum seem to be asking the same questions: “What’s next?” "How do we heal our broken nation?" "How do we win this culture war?" "How can I help?"
Scripture gives us a clear answer: the next step for every Christian is radical love.
The way to heal our nation is radical love.
The way to sway the masses to Christ is radical love.
Dear Christian, remember, you are only saved now because of Jesus Christ's radical love to you.
This truth has been pressing on me recently as I’ve been studying Jonah (thanks in part to my son’s current fixation with the VeggieTales song, “Jonah Was a Prophet”). Jonah’s greatest failure wasn’t fear, but hatred. He despised Nineveh, the violent and power-hungry capital of Assyria, and longed to see it destroyed by God’s perfect justice and wrath. His rebellion was rooted in a refusal to love his enemy. In chapter 4, God rebukes Jonah’s hard-heartedness.
By contrast, Jesus, the greater Prophet, commands us in Matthew 5:43–47:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?”
In God’s eyes, there’s no credit in loving only those who think like us politically or socially. That’s natural love. Supernatural love, the kind that breaks down political, ethnic, and economic barriers, comes from Him.
So what does this mean for us right now?
Whoever you feel feel might be your enemy is who God is calling you to love on in radical ways.
Whoever sees you as their enemy is who you need to pray for, love, and show mercy and grace to.
As Christians, we must represent Christ well in how we engage online.
We must learn to listen honestly to those with different worldviews.
We must show humility and charity in our debates—even with fellow believers we disagree with theologically or politically.
We need to invite people to dinner before we invite them to church.
We must be known for radical, sacrificial love.
And here’s the beauty: this love is also one of the most powerful tools of evangelism and apologetics. The natural mind cannot comprehend doing good to one’s enemies. That kind of love is possible only through Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. And it is this radical love that will set us apart as salt and light, drawing a broken world closer to Jesus.
One last thought as I wrap up my two cents on the social conversation going on right now:
Ephesians 6:12-13 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
No human is to be considered any Christian's enemy. As Christians, our battle is not against our neighbors, our coworkers, our estranged family members, or our lawmakers. Our battle is already won. By all means, vote, call your representatives, and steward well your political voice as you and the Holy Spirit see fit. But never forget, the "other" is not your enemy, no matter if they shout that they are in your face.
Jesus wins when we love others because He radically loved us.
Jesus wins when we love others towards His radical love for them.
