“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” – John 10:10

With the anniversary of 9/11 and the murder of Charlie Kirk, I’m left feeling numb at the relentless onslaught of evil in this world. It just seems to keep ramping up. As a Christian, it shouldn’t surprise me, but it still does.

Early on, I didn’t always appreciate Kirk’s combative tone. But it seemed to me that his tone had softened in more recent days. He grew bolder in expressing His faith, and with that, there seemed to be more grace extended in his debates.

His priority, even in the political realm, was his faith in Jesus Christ. I’ve heard him acknowledge on numerous occasions where the true battle is fought, often highlighting Ephesians 6:12, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

When I first heard the news of his assassination, John 10:10 popped into my mind. The Thief came to steal, kill and destroy Charlie Kirk.

For the first time, it occurred to me that the sequence of what Jesus described as the enemy’s evil actions may not be random, but rather a description of how the enemy operates.

The Greek word describing the enemy is kleptēs, which comes from klepto, a stealer. He is a kleptomaniac who klepsē or filches whatever he can get his hands on. What does he do with what he steals? Does he want it, or does he need it? No, he just kills and destroys it.

The Greek word for kill is thysē, meaning to sacrifice or to immolate. He just makes what’s alive, dead. And then what? Then he completely destroys it. The Greek is apolesē – From apo and the base of olethros; to destroy fully, literally or figuratively.

What Does This Look Like?

So, the imagery here is someone who is so depraved that they see something you have, maybe a family heirloom, that is of great value to you, but means nothing to them. But because it brings you great joy, they take it away from you. You say, “Hey, give it back.”

But the Klepto smiles, drops it on the ground and smashes it with his boot. You are stunned. But you think, perhaps it can still be salvaged?

But, no, the Destroyer then picks up the crushed heirloom and casts it into the sea. It is gone. The Klepto finds great joy in completely destroying what others value.

This is what the ruler of this world has tried to do with Charlie Kirk. A man who was certain of what is good and right and true – who sought to convince others of what he knew to be true through dialogue and debate.

The enemy sought to steal Charlie away, crushing him underfoot with the hope that the grave would completely destroy the man and what he represented.

Nice try.

In John 10:10, Jesus continues, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

Charlie lived and continues to live the abundant life Jesus promises. It cannot be stolen, killed or destroyed. It is eternal.

Charlie knew that what he held true could not be stolen, killed, or destroyed. Charlie had to know the risk of his public declaration of Christ and God’s truth. Now, the goodness of God through the Gospel of Jesus Christ lives on with greater resurrection power because of Charlie’s willingness to risk the ultimate sacrifice.

Rather than squelching the fire of the goodness of God, it will ignite a fire in others to burn that much more brightly in this growing darkness.

Charlie Kirk’s life was cut way too short in this world, but great rewards await him for his faithful dedication to living out his purpose for his King. Matthew 16:27, “For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.”

Vaya con Dios, my friend. Looking forward to meeting you in glory one day!