Over the last several decades I don’t believe I can remember hearing more people, even prominent elected and appointed officials, proclaiming the gospel publicly. The martyrdom of Charlie Kirk two weeks ago has ignited a fire in millions of hearts and minds in this country and other parts of the world. To me, the core message at his memorial service in an Arizona stadium last night with 100,000 people attending and millions watching on TV was the gospel which means ‘good news’.
So, what is the gospel by which one is saved? “Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead”. This is clearly set out by Paul in I Cor. 15.3-8. Over the past 2,000 years, countless Christians have given their life for this simple truth that is so central as it concerns anyone’s eternal destiny. The Spirit, through John, reveals a truth that is so very profound. These are Jesus’ words. “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word, and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life” (Jn. 5.24).
What Jesus is saying…that once you hear his word, the gospel, and believe that his Father sent him to earth to die for your sins, you will never come into judgment, but have immediately passed from death to life. All this is the security of the believer. So, with this mindset and belief, there’s no fear of what man can do to us as believers. Charlie Kirk is dead, physically, but he is alive, more alive than he’s ever been. Why, because I am convinced he believed and proclaimed the gospel, the truth in John 5.24.
Look at Jesus’ words. “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it” (Mk. 8.35,36). Can it be any clearer as to how we should boldly follow Christ wherever he leads, with unshakable confidence.
Paul, as a prisoner for his faith, wrote this to Timothy, his faithful disciple, and to you and me. “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me” (2 Tim. 1.8-12).
Friends, can you say this with Paul? For the sake of the gospel!!! Believe it, live it, share it! And if you don’t know how to share it, reach out to me.