A young widow summoned the courage to stand before thousands and share her grief. Erika Kirk spoke powerful words to those willing to listen.
She whispered, “That young man…” Then with conviction she said, “On the cross our Savior said, ‘Father, forgive them for they not know not what they do.’ That young man…I forgive him!” (Long applause.) “The answer to hate is not hate! The answer we know from the gospel is love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us.”
Jesus said this in his Sermon on the Mount. He laid out a high ethic, one impossible to reach without supernatural help. “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:44). Erika found freedom from the natural response of hate driven by fear, anger, and loss.
Could I respond like that? I hope I never have to find out. I can say, has God not forgiven me, a man motivated by pride, grasping for attention and accolades? Has God not allowed me to participate in the life of Christ? Has He not prepared a place for me in eternity where pain is banned, and forgiveness abounds? How hypocritical it would be to receive so great an eternal blessing, then to deny forgiveness to a fellow traveler made in God’s image. To act in the supernatural ways of Christ is to be empowered by His Spirit, who makes forgiveness and love possible.
It was rather jarring to hear a prominent and powerful person stand up after Erica and say, “I hate my opponent and don’t want the best for them.” But that only emphasized how extraordinary it is to follow Jesus with courage and self-control. That contradiction served to clarify the radical and loving freedom to which Jesus calls his followers. For those who hurt us we do want the best, which is their repentance and faith in Jesus, the One who offers grace and forgiveness.
Do you harbor ill will toward a person or a group? Do you wish them harm? I spoke with a religious man once who was caught up in a land dispute. “I’ll see him in hell before he takes my land,” he said. I couldn’t help myself. “Do you really think a strip of land is more important than that guy’s eternal soul?” Maybe it wasn’t the time or place, but isn’t that the point? People matter to followers of Jesus. Everyone needs a Shepherd and Guardian of his or her soul. They need Jesus. Your love and forgiveness point the way to Him.
I realize some look with suspicion at Charlie Kirk’s message or methods, but don’t let that obscure the life-giving truth put on full display by his young widow. Forgive, “just as God in Christ also has forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32).