September 25th, 2025
by John Thweatt
by John Thweatt
Earlier this week I wrote about the Amish response to the man who killed their children…they forgave him. I mentioned Erika Kirk’s statement, but didn’t say much about it…I’ve been processing the beauty of her statement about the man who killed her husband, Charlie Kirk. She said, "On the cross, our savior said, 'Father, forgive them, for they (do) not know what they do.' That man, that young man, I forgive him." "I forgive him because it was what Christ did, and it's what Charlie would do."
She went on to say, “The answer is not hate. The answer we know from the gospel is love and always love. Love our enemies and love for those who persecute us.”
Then President Trump spoke. He spoke of Charlie Kirk as a missionary with a noble spirit and a great purpose. “He did not hate his opponents. He wanted the best for them.”
You can agree or disagree with his comments, that is your decision, but what disturbed me was his next statement, “That’s where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent, and I don’t want the best for them. I’m sorry. I’m sorry Erika.”
I am truly not seeking to be political, but let me ask you something, which ideology best pictures your view? Are you someone who forgives or someone who hates?
I’m thankful for the witness we have from a grieving wife. She demonstrated a faith in Jesus’ words, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your father who is in heaven…”
We must be a people who love and forgive. That does not take away the consequences…the man who shot Charlie Kirk, the man who stabbed Iryna Zarutska, the young man who shot and killed his fellow students, and the one just opened fire at the ICE facility…they must pay the penalty for their crimes, but judgment is not ours, hatred is not in the DNA of a Jesus follower, and forgiveness is our response because we love God, love people, and even love our enemies.
She went on to say, “The answer is not hate. The answer we know from the gospel is love and always love. Love our enemies and love for those who persecute us.”
Then President Trump spoke. He spoke of Charlie Kirk as a missionary with a noble spirit and a great purpose. “He did not hate his opponents. He wanted the best for them.”
You can agree or disagree with his comments, that is your decision, but what disturbed me was his next statement, “That’s where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent, and I don’t want the best for them. I’m sorry. I’m sorry Erika.”
I am truly not seeking to be political, but let me ask you something, which ideology best pictures your view? Are you someone who forgives or someone who hates?
I’m thankful for the witness we have from a grieving wife. She demonstrated a faith in Jesus’ words, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your father who is in heaven…”
We must be a people who love and forgive. That does not take away the consequences…the man who shot Charlie Kirk, the man who stabbed Iryna Zarutska, the young man who shot and killed his fellow students, and the one just opened fire at the ICE facility…they must pay the penalty for their crimes, but judgment is not ours, hatred is not in the DNA of a Jesus follower, and forgiveness is our response because we love God, love people, and even love our enemies.
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