This week, someone said, “Jesus would’ve hated Charlie.” It made me giggle a bit. As I’m writing this, it still makes me giggle, but the laughter comes with the sad reality. Some don’t know Jesus.

I know Jesus. I know the Truth. Jesus loved Charlie Kirk. Charlie is with Jesus now.

A statement like this reveals that some don’t know much about the Bible, Who Jesus is, or what Jesus said. They know what others tell them, but have not verified anything.

As for hatred, it’s the world that hates Jesus and His followers. Consider this about hatred, and what it reveals about those who mocked Jesus, who mock Charlie and other Christians.

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, the world therefore hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My words, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin. But now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not performed among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin. But now have they seen and hated both My Father and Me. But that the word which is written in their law might be fulfilled, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’

John 15:18–25

Because the culture hated Charlie, one thing is certain: Charlie loved Jesus. It is the public reaction that brings out the truth Jesus spoke. They identify themselves.

From the personal testimonies of many close to Charlie Kirk. He was doing exactly what he was called to do by Jesus. He was a living witness to all of us that he was the man we all should be. Bold, loving, courageous, and with complete trust in our Savior. It is clearly demonstrated that Charlie was a servant. And he was not above his Master. Charlie even died a younger man than Jesus did.

It’s no coincidence that he was hated by the world. It is because Jesus is. Charlie is proof of that. As was John the Baptist, who was also taken out at a young age. These all spoke the truth; they unveiled the underlying sins of people to the light. Just like the text above says, if they hadn’t been spoken to, they would not have known sin.

The issue is clear. Evil does not like exposure. Exposure takes the stranglehold of its power away.

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned. But he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. This is the verdict, that light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that it may be revealed that his deeds have been done in God.”

John 3:17–21

When people came to Charlie, he didn’t set out to expose their evil deeds. He simply wanted to have conversations. In those interactions, he spoke truth to people. Truth, to a student culture that is purposefully implanted with delusion, then sounds offensive. Like Jesus said, had they not been spoken to, they would not have known of their sin. In that way, truth is an equal opportunity offender. It happens to everyone. There are things God says to me that I don’t like. Yet in not being offended and confessing those faults, I’ve learned to trust that He has my best interests at heart. Sometimes, they are ones that I have no conscious clue about.

Watching the plethora of videos of his encounters, it’s clear that truth worked in the consciences of those to whom he spoke. Sometimes, a mind was open and willing. Most often, minds were closed, and the people left clinging to their delusions.

That’s sad.

They think they know Jesus. All they have is that He’s a cool dude who was nice to everyone. That’s very shallow. I wonder if the folks whose tables were turned, or the Pharisees He called white-washed tombs thought He was nice?

Yes, Jesus loves all humans. He also speaks truthfully to them. Love and truth are inseparable.

The soul who sins shall die. I think we all know that inherently. When truth is spoken to any of us, we inevitably know our faults in missing the mark of perfection that God requires. It’s like Paul said about the truth of the law… It made sin alive in him, and he died.

Because many walked away from Turning Point USA events rejecting Jesus, Who is the embodiment of Truth. It brings profound sadness. People don’t want to know the truth. Like the person saying Jesus would’ve hated Charlie. That’s mockery revealing no personal knowledge of Jesus. They don’t know Charlie, and they really hate the Truth he represented.

The real problem is sin. The danger is dying in one’s sins. So, how do we humans deal with this inescapable doom of death?

I will tell you now, if you’ve stumbled upon this post and the words of Jesus have somehow pierced through, showing you were caught up in delusion, that’s a first step. The next is believing in Jesus.

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart.” This is the word of faith that we preach: that if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved, for with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:8–10

It is that easy. You can know Jesus today. He’s not dead, but very much alive! This is Who Charlie knew. This is Who I know. Jesus is not relegated to the past… He lives and loves today. He forgives sin, any sin, all sin. He also takes them away forever. Just confess it to Him.

Are you afraid to pray or even approach Him?

Don’t be.

I know the Truth, so how can Jesus hate anyone?

He doesn’t.

I mean this: He died for the sins of the whole world. Think about that. The creation cries out for justice because you and I have sinned. The death of Jesus satisfies that justice once and for all.

Almost 2,000 years ago, He died. His death provided a pardon for sins. You and I have been pardoned effectually and unconditionally. If you’re human, He did that for you.

How is that hate toward Charlie?

Charlie let anyone speak to him. He loved them enough to be truthful, which is exceedingly refreshing in our culture.

Get this, the Bible plainly states… There is no greater love than a man lay down his life for his friends.

Jesus laid down His life for Charlie.

He did that for you.

He did that for me.

I don’t care where you’re at, what you’ve done, or even who you are. I KNOW that for the sheer fact that you’re a human person… Jesus calls you a friend. One that He died to save.

Charlie was His friend. I am His friend. If He died for you, you are His friend; the question I leave to you…

Is He your friend?

If not, fix that right now.