The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Legacy - Yet Not I"
A notable brother in the Lord Jesus Christ died last week in tragic circumstances, leaving behind a wife, two young children, parents, other family members, friends, colleagues, and millions who loved and respected him. "His void cannot be filled" said a friend and associate of Charlie Kirk. Indeed, Charlie supplied a unique voice and influence in modern culture, and in many people's personal lives. However, what would our departed brother tell us regarding the void that "cannot be filled?" I suspect something along the lines of the Apostle Paul's testimony of God's presence and working in his life:
"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me" (I Cornthians 15:10).
The One who made Charlie who and what he was journeyed homeward with His servant. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, Thou art with me" (Psalm 23:4). The Lord Jesus also, however, remained behind through the Holy Spirit's presence and working to continue His redeeming activity in the world. "I will dwell in them and walk in them" (II Corinthians 6:16). Charlie would therefore tell us he was not indispensable, but rather that his Lord was, and is. He would encourage us to remember that Christ abides in His work in the world, spiritually walking its paths even more than in the days of His earthly sojourn. Charlie could thus safely venture home without jeopardizing God's purpose, and in the confidence that many will fill his shoes in days to come. This does not minimize the significant value of his life and ministry, but rather informs us of how he could have been so effective in that which God called him to do. "Yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me…"
In our own callings, we do well to so live and love that we will seem irreplaceable. However, we bear within our hearts and upon our lips the truth that we are not. Charlie would tell us this in a heartbeat if he could. Perhaps he can. His legacy bears witness to the Lord Jesus not only as the Savior, but as the very life of all who believe. Charlie was who he was because Christ is who He is. We are who we are because of the same wondrous gift: "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). We play a beautiful role of faith and submission to the Savior, and we must seek to live in a manner that matters to God and people. Never, however, will we be indispensable. If we live faithfully, as did Charlie Kirk, we will direct all glory and attention to the One, the only One, who rightly wears the mantle of irreplaceability. In the light of such grace in Christ, believers are blessed that the only One we cannot live without, we can never lose. "Christ remains," Charlie would tell us, or as my wife Frances often declares, "Having Him, we have all."
"He is thy life…… I am the life… To live is Christ"
(Deuteronomy 30:20; John 14:6; Philippians 1:21)
Weekly Memory Verse
What shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"
(Romans 8:31)
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