Silence of Adam — Part 2

Biblical Insight
Written By Mark Hamby

Reflective Reading: Psalm 116:15

On September 10th, Charlie Kirk, a heroic man of God, was assassinated. I’m sure there are some who may disagree with me on my perspective, but that’s alright. If we can learn anything from Charlie, it is alright to disagree. What is most notable about Charlie’s debates is the exceptional skill that he wielded to disarm his opponents. Once disarmed, Charlie presented some of the most convincing truths that stymied and often silenced his opponents.

Why was he so powerfully convincing? Charlie did not graduate from college nor did he hold degrees. Rather, he excelled in the knowledge of the Word of God. He tapped into what the Apostle John understood as the foundation of strength:

“Young men you are strong because the Word of God abides in you” (1st John 2:14).

Charlie also had a keen understanding of the biblical foundation from which our country was established. In one of his debates, he said that our constitution was written for Christian citizenship. He explained how non-Christians could not be comfortable with or tolerate laws that oppose their amoral view of life. He then showed how the laws of America are based on morality, specifically the Ten Commandments, and why a non-Christian culture will do anything to eliminate laws that restrain their worldview.

Charlie Kirk was considered “presidential material,” influencing leaders around the globe. His passion and ability to articulate truth was like that of Stephen, in Acts 7:8-9, where we read that Stephen was “full of faith and power,” and the wicked “were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke.” Click the link below to listen to one of his debates that illustrates this passion and wisdom.

So what does this have to do with the Silence of Adam? Everything! While Stephen is being stoned and murdered in Acts 7, a young man named Saul was consenting to Stephen’s death. The Greek word for consenting means “to take pleasure in”. Sadly, some people were rejoicing and taking pleasure in the assassination of Charlie Kirk, accusing him of hate speech.

If you have ever listened to Charlie speak, you would know that he never participated in hate speech. To be sure, he was passionate about what he believed and communicated his stance with passion, but he never spoke out of hate for others, regardless of their opposing beliefs. However, he was guilty of speaking the truth of God’s Word, and sadly, “God speech” is considered “hate speech” for many groups today.

Psalm 2 describes this phenomenon when King David wrote,

“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, ‘Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.’”

From the beginning, mankind has rebelled against God’s rules for their lives. Mankind wants to live according to their own rules, and the moment there is the least bit of restraint, they rage. Left to their vain imaginations, they do “that which is right in their own eyes.”

Thankfully, all is not hopeless. The last verse in Psalm 2 reads, “Blessed are all they that put their trust in him (the Son, Jesus).” If there can be hope of anything positive coming out of Charlie’s death, it is the same hope that came after Stephen’s martyrdom.

After Stephen’s death, Christians were dispersed around the world. This dispersion created unprecedented opportunities for the spread of God’s Word to bring thousands to the Lord. In Acts 8, we read, “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word.” In chapter 11, we read, “and many people were added unto the Lord.”

The second positive occurrence after Stephen’s death came when Saul, who was threatening and imprisoning Christians for their faith, had a divine encounter with Jesus himself. Little did he know that he was to take Stephen’s place, so to speak, and bring a greater number of souls into the kingdom than anyone could have imagined.

In like manner, it is time for men to rise and continue where Charlie left off. It is time to burn the ships and kindle a love for God’s Word that will burn with an unquenchable fire within us!

So, who will come forward and take Charlie’s place? This question was actually presented to Charlie several months ago. He was asked if he had a succession plan. “Charlie, who would lead Turning Point USA if anything happened to you?” Charlie’s response was, as usual, powerfully and passionately poised. He responded, “You will, and you, and you, and you, and you!”

Charlie knew that this new momentum taking place on college campuses around the world was not, and could not be, dependent upon him. He was casting a vision for the young by planting seeds of truth. As those seeds are now sprouting, a new generation of truth seekers and speakers is entering the world stage.

They will start at home, and then in their churches, and move on to local government, school board members, state, and federal government. Some will become pastors and teachers, and some will become mothers who will train their children to fear God and keep his commandments. The opportunities are endless.

Thank you, Charlie. Thank you, God, for allowing us to be blessed by one of your “faithful ones.” In Psalm 116, we read, “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” A literal translation of this verse reads, “Highly valued in the sight of the LORD, is the death of his faithful ones.”

To be highly valued by God requires faithfulness. To be a fit vessel for his use requires an intimate knowledge of his Word. In Proverbs 2, we read:

“My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and treasure my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.”

Those who possess the knowledge of God will change the world—one Word and one person at a time.

Because of Him and Him alone,

Mark Hamby

Psalm 116:15

Must-reads for every boy and man—especially for those who long to live heroic and godly lives!

Mark Hamby
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The Silence of Adam