Millions of words have been spoken and written about the murder of Charlie Kirk – countless laments, yet some celebrating.  I hesitate to weigh in with so many other voices, but I will offer a few words. 

For several years I have listened to many of Charlie’s Q and A sessions with college students across the nation.  I have found him to be extremely gracious, a good listener who asks provocative questions and an effective answerer of challenging questions.  Whenever Charlie came to a venue he would state “Those who disagree with me come to the front of the line.” 

When I heard of his death, I wept.

Thousands of students showed up to his appearance on campuses, eager to voice their questions.  When Charlie disagreed, he did it with grace, poise and love.  Unfortunately, because he disagreed with many people, he was given the name “hater.”  Since when does disagreement equal hate?

Hate is a strong word.

I have had many disagreements with my husband of 49 years, my daughters, and my parents but I still love them dearly.  I have lifelong friends whom I disagree with, but I would never claim to hate them.  When have you ever found relationships with other people to be 100% agreeable with your own?

Yet it seems that Charlie was either loved or hated.  There was often no middle ground.  Sadly, we live in a knee-jerk society, reacting violently to those who don’t agree with us.  Charlie believed in grace, truth and justice, as taught and embodied by Jesus Christ – and lived his life according to those teachings. 

At the memorial service for Charlie, his wife Erika gave a beautiful, heartbreaking speech – in part,

….My husband, Charlie, wanted to save young men like the man who took his life……  That man, that young man,

I forgive him….

Imbued with eternal weightiness, those three little words spoken that day released seismic pulses through the unseen realms with unstoppable force. Those three little words commanded both angelic applause and demonic squeals as the sound presented to all of creation the magnificent currency that cripples one kingdom and magnifies the other Kingdom. Forgiveness.

Keith Guinta

Erika Kirk is a strong believer in the power of Christ shown through those three little words spoken at Charlie’s memorial service.  I’m quite certain she didn’t feel like forgiving Tyler Robinson 10 days after he killed her husband, but she knew this is what Charlie would have done, and it’s what Jesus has done for millions of people like you and me. 

I commend Erika for her bravery and courage, and I thank her for saying one of the most difficult things in the world after seeing her husband murdered.

May we all seek to walk in forgiveness toward those who hate us, love those who despitefully use us and shine the light of His love wherever we go.