Forgiveness: The Greatest Mark of Knowing Jesus?

I took five hours Sunday, September 21, to watch live Charlie Kirk’s Memorial Service before 90,000 people in Glendale, Arizona. It was a moving experience–worth every minute. 

It may be the greatest funeral ever witnessed in America because of technology which allowed us to “live” every moment of its grandeur.

The passing of other significant Americans (like Abraham Lincoln and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) were viewed by larger larger processionals, but you didn’t hear all the words that video can capture and relay worldwide.

One theme stood out to me above the rest.

Forgiveness.

Forgiveness: The Greatest Mark of Knowing Jesus?

If you haven’t seen it, please take the time to watch the entire Charlie Kirk Memorial Service. It was a special moment in U.S. history and I don’t want you to miss its importance.

There are many aspects of the memorial (Charlie Kirk’s legacy) that I could write about:

• An entire Administration preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ (incredible).
• “Jesus” becoming the main national topic. Vice President J.D. Vance spoke for many when he said, “I have talked more about Jesus in the past two weeks than I have my entire life.” 
• The negative reactions to Charlie’s passing (like Jimmy Kimmel and scores of others).
• President Trump bringing too much “rally speech” into the memorial instead of comfort and inspiration.
• The silence of some dimensions of the Church on the assassination and the awakening it is inspiring.

I will write on some of these subjects in coming articles. 

But today let’s focus on the pinnacle quality of the event that should inspire and challenge us all.

Forgiveness.

This God-centered biblical truth came from the mouth of Charlie’s widow, 36-year-old Erika Kirk. For me, it was the highlight of the five hour memorial and placed the topic of grace/forgiveness/unconditional love at the center of our American discourse.

I know many of you heard her words live or have seen them in print. Here again is Erika’s Kirk’s touching and powerful words on forgiveness:

Charlie passionately wanted to reach and save the lost boys of the West—the young men who feel like they have no direction, no purpose, no faith, and no reason to live. The men wasting their lives on distractions. The men consumed with resentment, anger, and hate. Charlie wanted to help them. He wanted them to have a home with Turning Point USA.

When he went onto campus, he was looking to show them a better path—a better life that was right there for the taking. My husband, Charlie, he wanted to save young men just like the one who took his life. That young man. That young man.

On the cross, our Savior said: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

That man—that young man—I forgive him. I forgive him because it’s what Christ did. And it’s what Charlie would do.

The answer to hate is not hate. The answer—we know from the gospel—is love. Always love. Love for our enemies. Love for those who persecute us.

It took incredible courage and the heart of Jesus in this young woman to share these thoughts with millions.

Now people all over the world are talking about God’s forgiveness as never before. Is there any more important topic to discuss globally than the forgiveness that is found in Jesus Christ and how we must forgive others?

Thank you, Erika.

Following Erika Kirk, President Trump both struggled and seemed a little convicted about his own lack of forgiveness toward people who have persecuted him. He stated, “I hate my opponent, and I don’t want the best for them. I’m sorry. I am sorry, Erika,”

That same day, I heard two national commentators (who profess to be people of faith) also admit they couldn’t forgive some people who had hurt them.

I’m sure many home/office/school conversations took place in ensuing days on the same subject.

Here’s a quick summary of the biblical teaching on forgiveness:

1. God has no personal vindictive problems related to forgiving humans (like most loving parents toward their children). His forgiving nature is infinitely perfect “Amazing Grace” (Romans 2:4).
2. God forgives sinful people when we repent of our sins (Titus 2:11-14). His love is unconditional (not based on merit), but requires repentance and faith (Mark 1:15) for governmental reasons. Unrepentant or unrestrained sinners in heaven (and on earth) would make it hell.
3. Jesus taught us in his model prayer (The Lord’s Prayer), that we should ask God to, “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us” (Matthew 6:12). The context of the Sermon on the Mount is personal behavior, not the civic sphere. We personally forgive others because God has forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32).
4. We should forgive people who hurt us (Matthew 18:21-22) regardless of the crime or their number (“Seven times seventy”).
5. Civil government is ordained by God to punish evil and restrain sin (Romans 13:1-6). Mercy is not its major currency. Governments exist to execute justice (as will be administered to Charlie Kirk’s murderer in Utah).
6. In eternity, all vengeance against evil (justice) will be perfect, and come from God (Deuteronomy 32:35, Revelation 20:11-15). Same with his eternal love and forgiveness of the redeemed (John 3:16).

There’s one other probing scripture on forgiveness that you’ve maybe never heard in a sermon. I highlight it because it gives the reciprocal teaching on forgiveness which should convict us all:

“For if you forgive people their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive people of their sins, neither will your Father forgive your sins” (Matthew 8:14,15).

This particular verse indicates that the “born again” heart understands that God’s forgiveness of us demands our forgiveness of others.

No exceptions. 

Pay attention President Trump, the two pundits I mentioned, and every single one of us.

Erika Kirk has beautifully pointed us to the heart of salvation. We are to love and forgive even our enemies if God is at the center of our lives.

In our family devotions this week, my wife and I read Sarah Young’s words in Jesus Calling. Her writings are the second most published devotionals of all time next to Oswald Chamber’s My Utmost for His Highest. 

We read them at breakfast each day.

Here are her words of wisdom for September 23 (two days after the Charlie Kirk Memorial):

Walk with me in the freedom of forgiveness. The path we follow together is sometimes steep and slippery. If you carry a burden of guilt on your back, you are more likely to stumble and fall. 

At your request, I will remove the heavy load from you and bury it at the foot of the cross. When I unburden you, you are undeniably free!

Stand up straight and tall in My Presence so that no one can place more burdens on your back. Looking to My Face and feel the warmth of my Love-Light shining upon you. It is this unconditional Love that frees you from both fears and sins.

Spend time basking in the Light of My Presence. As you come to know me more and more intimately, you grow increasing free.

That’s the other important truth about forgiveness: It frees us to love and bless others as God desires. Forgiveness is for you as well as for those who persecute you. It removes the poison of vengeance and hate from your heart.

You can’t do it fully without God’s grace and power.

That’s why a life of forgiveness just might be the greatest mark of knowing Jesus.