Truth in the Crosshairs: Finding Peace in Hostile Times

By - Pastor Freddy Cortez, National Capital Bible Church

Life Is Shorter Than We Think

On September 10, our nation was shaken by the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Some followed his work, some didn’t. But whether you did or not, the shocking way his life ended reminds us of what Scripture has said all along: life is short, life is fragile, and tomorrow isn’t promised.

James put it this way: “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14). A vapor. Here for a moment and then gone.

That’s why Moses prayed in Psalm 90:12, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Life’s fragility isn’t meant to freeze us with fear. It’s supposed to wake us up. Wake us up to live faithfully today.

The Reality of Evil

There’s something else we can’t ignore. This act of violence unmasks what’s always been there: the reality of evil.

Paul warned, “Evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13). Jesus told His disciples, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you” (John 15:18).

Evil resists truth. Always has. Always will. And right now, it feels like the mask has come off. It’s louder. It’s bolder. And yes — it’s hostile to anyone who represents Christ.

Death Isn’t the End

Death is certain. But for those of us who believe in Christ, it’s not defeat. Jesus said in John 5:24 that the one who believes “has passed from death into life.”

So yes, our days are numbered. But our future? It’s settled. It’s secure. That perspective changes everything. We don’t have to face life’s brevity with despair. We can face it with purpose. Every day is another chance to walk with Him, to stay in fellowship with the Spirit, and to invest in what lasts forever.

Finding Peace in the Noise

Now, let’s be honest. We live in noisy days. News cycles scream at us. Social media fights over everything. Culture feels like it’s tearing apart at the seams.

Where do we find peace in all of that? Paul gives us the answer in Philippians 4:6–7: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Notice — peace doesn’t come by running away from problems. It comes by drawing near to Christ in the middle of them. Fellowship is the key. When we confess sin (1 John 1:9) and walk in the Spirit’s power, His peace steadies our hearts even when the world rages.

When Truth Is No Longer Welcome

Paul warned in 2 Timothy 4:3, “The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine.” We’re living in that time. Many people would rather hear something soothing, even if it’s a lie, than face truth.

So how do we respond? With the same balance Jesus modeled — grace and truth (John 1:14). We don’t water down Scripture just to be accepted. But we don’t fight with bitterness either. We speak truth with love. Some will scoff. Others will shrug. But a few — quietly searching — will listen.

What God Calls Us To Do

So what now? What does faithfulness look like in days like these? Four things: 

1. Stay grounded in Scripture. God’s Word is our anchor when everything else shifts.

2. Walk in fellowship. Confess sin. Stay filled with the Spirit. Bear fruit that lasts.

3. Pray with dependence. Prayer steadies our hearts and reminds us that God is still in control.

4. Speak truth with grace. We’re not called to be popular. We’re called to be faithful.

A Word to the One Still Searching

Maybe you’ve been reading this and you’re not sure where you stand with Christ. Friend, let me be direct: you don’t know if you’ll have another day.

John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Eternal life isn’t earned. It isn’t achieved. It’s received — the moment you believe in Jesus Christ, the One who died for your sins and rose again to give you life.

If you haven’t believed in Him, do it now. Believe in Him today. And know that when your final breath comes — whether soon or years from now — you’ll be forever secure in the presence of the Savior who loves you.

Bottom Line

Charlie Kirk’s death forces us to face three realities:

1. Life is short. Don’t waste today.

2. Evil is real. Don’t be surprised by hostility.

3. Truth is costly. Don’t shrink back — it’s worth it.

But believer, we are not without hope. Death isn’t the end. It’s the doorway into Christ’s presence. Until then, our job is clear. Stay close to Him. Rest in His peace. Stand for His truth. And do it all with grace.

An Invitation

If you’ve been reading this and you’re not yet a believer in Christ, this moment is for you. The Bible says: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Eternal life isn’t earned through works, religion, or morality. It’s a free gift, offered to anyone who believes in Jesus Christ. Believe in Him today. Receive the life that never ends, and know that when your time on earth is finished, you’ll step into the presence of the Savior who loves you and gave Himself for you.

This post was written by Pastor Freddy Cortez of National Capital Bible Church in Springfield, VA. If you have questions about this post or Christianity in general, please contact us today!