Charlie Kirk’s death exposed compromised christianity

For the avoidance of doubt, #IamCharlieKirk.

I have seen the videos of him at his debates, heard the things that he stood for, seen how he interacted with his wife and children, and I agree with the man.

On the contrary, I have not seen anyone who disagrees with Charlie Kirk that I can look at and say, “Here is a man who is on the same faith journey as I am, that I can look up to or walk besides, as I seek to become a better Christian. Being in the company of this man or woman will help me to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ.”

And I think that that in itself says a lot.

Charlie Kirk modeled discipleship -he spoke and lived with his faith front and centre -something that is born of deep conviction and total surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. It does not in any way imply perfection, but it does point to a settled intention to live, facing with unshaken resolve, the direction of Christ.

Charlie Kirk was the embodiment of discipleship- something missing in a lot of us whose only evidence of the Christianity in us is our name, being nice, panicked prayer in times of crisis and honourable mentions of God when things in our life are going pretty well. The rest of our lives, including convictions, lifestyle, speech, and language are largely indiscernible from the rest of the world.

Yet, we want to be the ones to define what Christianity should look like. By the standard of Christ that we use to beat the church that we consider failing and falling short, we should also pick the same stick and beat ourselves with it. I would also argue that it is easier to point to another Christian believer failing than step out in the open and make your faith stand public then hold yourself to that standard.

Oh, but you would not do that. You know why? I’ll tell you why.

You see, I know something about living with shaky convictions and a compromised faith. That kind of life is not comfortable with standards, much less the obedience required to live by them. It wants everything spiritual and good that the faith brings, but it refuses to rise to the challenge of being set apart.

Compromised christianity is quick to point out everything that it sees is wrong with the faith, but it refuses to submit its own heart for examination, regeneration and consecration. Because once you get really close to God, he begins to make demands of you and your body. It is easier to remain in the grey than to fully step out because then, the standard of the faith fully apply.

Humility is demanded of you where you sought power. You can nolonger sleep around where you only sought pleasure for its own sake. You have to marry the girlfriend you have been cohabiting with for the past seven years. You have to breakup with the man or woman you’re dating because they are not Christian.

You have to rise to the challenge of self-control and put down the bottle, the food, and the cigarette. You have to put your hand into your bank account and contribute to the advancement of God’s work through making offering to your local church. You have to plug into your local church and serve there. Compromised christianity does not just not understand self-sacrifice. It hates it.

The truth is that it is harder to live as a Christian than many are willing to admit. A life of no faith or a compromised faith is far easier.

The true position of the Christian faith is not relagation to a private activity, as it has been made to appear. It always was public, and with every intent to engage actively in culture, business, education, politics and governance, through thosenwho hold its values dear. If we are not as engaged with our faith front-facing as Charlie Kirk was, it is not because what he did was strange, divisive or hateful. It is because we have fallen short of the standard of the one who started this movement- the man, Jesus Christ.

All this to say that, #IamCharlieKirk because he modeled the kind of discipleship which every person who follows Christ is called to:

1. To profess and live surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
2. To be completely transformed in the heart and mind and take on the values, motivations and persuasions of Jesus Christ.
3. To set oneself apart for service in advancing the interests of the Kingdom of God.

In all these three, I see nothing that gives room for a safe or compromised christianity.

The truth is that had I encountered the videos of Charlie Kirk earlier, I would never have stayed as long as I did living that empty, fruitless, depressing and people-pleasing, compromised version of christianity.

Charlie Kirk lived out his faith courageously, in a way that many of us who carry the same label of “Christian” never have and should quickly embark upon.