Sharing the Gospel in light of Charlie Kirk

*The following is a shortened outline of a podcast episode. To view or listen to to the episode, please scroll to the bottom of the page.

The passing of Charlie Kirk has left many people searching for answers. Friends, family, political leaders, and pastors have all spoken about his faith and legacy. In moments like these, conversations about life, death, and eternity become unavoidable—and they matter deeply.

So how do we talk about Charlie in a way that points people to truth and hope?

At his memorial service, we heard gospel presentations from Pastor Rob McCoy, Secretary Marco Rubio, and Frank Turek, and others. Each message offered something meaningful. But instead of critiquing or comparing what was said, I’d like us to wrestle with a better question:

If you were talking to someone about Charlie, what would you say?

Recently, I had the opportunity to sit in on one of my daughter’s Bible college classes. Her professor posed this very question.

“What would I say about Charlie Kirk?”

He answered with four simple but profound questions—questions you can ask and answer for anyone who has passed away:

1. What happened when Charlie died?
2. Where did he go?
3. How did he get there?
4. How can I get there? (Or will I see him again?)

Let’s walk through each one.

1. What Happened When Charlie Died?

We are eternal beings. That truth is written on every human heart. There’s more to life than just these years on earth. Though Charlie’s body stopped living, his soul continued on.

“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.”
— Ecclesiastes 12:7

2. Where Did He Go?

The Apostle Paul gives believers confidence:

• “We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” (2 Corinthians 5:1)
• “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8)

But not everyone will make it there:

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”
— Hebrews 9:27

Frank Turek put it clearly at the service:
When you face God, do you want to receive justice from an infinitely just Being, or do you want to receive grace? Those are the only two options.

Charlie went to heaven. He spoke about it often and gave evidence of his faith in many of his videos.

3. How Did He Get There?

This is the most important question.

Jesus warned:

“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? … And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
— Matthew 7:22–23

Not everyone who claims the name of Jesus is truly saved. Many of Charlie’s friends are Catholic, Mormon, or various evangelical denominations. They all speak the name of Jesus, but the way they teach people to come to Him varies greatly. That’s why we must appeal to Scripture itself—not church doctrine or dogma—as the final authority.

Charlie realized his need for a Savior. He knew he could not stand before the justice of God on his own merits.

• “There is none righteous, no, not one… For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:10–12, 23)
• “For the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23a)

This “death” is not only physical—it is eternal (Revelation 20:14; 14:11; 20:12,15).

Charlie saw his condition and realized he needed a substitute. No amount of good works could undo his sin.

Think of a courtroom: when a crime is being judged, the good deeds of the defendant have no bearing on the crime itself. The same is true before God.

The Bible makes this clear: salvation is not by works (Ephesians 2:8–9; Titus 3:5; Romans 3:28; Galatians 2:16).

Instead, salvation is a gift:

• “…the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23b)

God Himself stepped into humanity (Philippians 2:6; Hebrews 1:3,8; John 1:1,14).

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh…”
— 1 Timothy 3:16a

The innocent died for the guilty, so the guilty could go free.

Charlie believed this by faith. At a young age he embraced the promise of:

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
— Romans 10:9

At that moment, Charlie’s sin was forgiven, he was adopted into God’s family (John 1:12; Romans 8:15), sealed with the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30), and promised an eternal home (John 14:2; Philippians 1:23).

4. How Can I Get There?

The same way Charlie did.

• It is not by good works.
• It is not through a church.
• It is not through a religious system.

The best quote from the memorial service was this:

“Charlie is not in heaven because he sacrificed himself for his Savior (Jesus). Charlie is in heaven because his Savior sacrificed Himself for Charlie.” (Frank Turek (https://youtu.be/ZkQUp4cDKm0?si=ImTbCNFb7B7yoggC&t=179))

If you want to go where Charlie went, the Bible says:

• “…repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 20:21)
• “…repentance from dead works, and faith toward God.” (Hebrews 6:1)

Dead works include trusting in the keeping of the law, serving others, conservative values, religious activity, or any form of self-righteousness. You must turn from confidence in yourself and place your faith in Christ alone.

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved… For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
— Romans 10:9–10, 13

The Simple Steps

1. Realize you have sinned against a holy God.
2. Realize there is a penalty for being a sinner and you cannot save yourself.
3. Believe that Jesus Christ—God in the flesh—took your sin upon Himself as your substitute.
4. Repent of your own goodness and trust only in what Christ has done for you.

A prayer of faith might sound like this:

“Dear God, I know that I am a sinner and deserve judgment. I believe that Jesus Christ died in my place for my sins, and that He rose again the third day. To the best of my understanding, I am turning from my own goodness and trusting in Jesus alone for the forgiveness of my sin. Thank you for saving me and calling me your own. Amen!”

Final Thought

Charlie Kirk is not in heaven because of what he did for God.
He is in heaven because of what God did for him through Jesus Christ.

If you want to see Charlie again, you must come the same way he did—by grace, through faith, in Christ alone.