Living For Jesus Is Costly

The recent death of Charlie Kirk on September 10th has stirred something inside of me. As I read the news and watch videos, it reminds me that standing up for our faith in God is costly.

Charlie Kirk was murdered for his faith on September 10th in front of a crowd of over 3000 students, including his wife and young children. This alone should make us grieve for the state of our Nation, and pray, fervently for his wife, Erika, and his precious children that have lost their father.

When tragedies like this occur, it often can cause us to question our God’s power, and our God’s goodness. It is so vital that we remember that God is still on the throne. That He is all powerful and that He is still good. One of the first things that Erica Kirk said in her address to the nation after her husband’s murder is that God is still good.

It should make us grieve and bring us to tears that a young man, only 31 years of age, was killed for his outspoken faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. He went to college campuses to share the truth of the Bible and his unwavering faith in Jesus and how Jesus changed his life. He literally walked into the lions den and challenged students to think differently than what the world tells us. For this, he was brutally killed in front of students. He is a modern day martyr for his faith in Jesus Christ.

My husband has been preaching through a series on the book of Acts in the Bible. What we are experiencing now in our country is reminiscent of the stoning of Stephen found in Acts 7.

Acts 7:54-60

“When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

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Stephen called them out for their sin, pointed them to God, and told them the message of the Bible. And for that they hated him. They couldn’t take him speaking truth and chose to kill him instead of walking away. He also reminded them of the previous prophets who had been murdered at the hands of their predecessors.

Acts‬ ‭7‬:‭52‬ ‬‬

“Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the

betrayers and murderers,”

Christians that are bold in their faith will experience persecution. We have an enemy, the devil, and he hates truth. The devil is known as the father of all lies. Jesus Christ is truth. He is the way, the truth, and the life. Those who do not follow God, and reject the truth, cannot stand to hear the truth. Jesus said the following words to some religious leaders who were opposing the truth that he was preaching.

‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭44‬

“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”

When we boldly proclaimed the truth, the forces of evil hate it and will try to stop it at all cost. Nevertheless, we cannot back down from speaking the truth of God’s Word. We must be women of faith and courage, relying on God to strengthen us. And praying for the Holy Spirit to empower and equip us.

September 10th is truly a turning point in our nations history. Will it be a turning point for you as an individual? Will you choose to be bold with your faith? Will you choose to speak truth to those who don’t want to hear it?

Prayer:

Father God, I humble myself before You, and I declare that I am nothing without You. You have given us the truth of Your Word, and I want to be a woman that boldly declares Your truth. Give me courage through the power of your Holy Spirit. Let me be a woman of faith - greater faith in You than ever before. When tragedies occur, let me always remember that You are still on the throne and that You are good.

In the mighty name of Jesus Christ I pray, amen.

In Christ Alone, 

Michelle Staubs