Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

With the secularization of things in society we often forget that before MLK day came to be a federal holiday, Martin Luther King was actually known as “Reverend” King, a follower and minister of Jesus Christ.  Today amongst the sales and service projects I remember that Rev. King’s faith in Jesus Christ compelled his pursuit for civil rights.

King thought of himself as a minister first saying, “People think of me as a civil rights leader, but fundamentally, I’m a Baptist preacher.”  His faith influenced much of his work.

“Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction. So when Jesus says “Love your enemies,” he is setting forth a profound and ultimately inescapable admonition.” – Rev. Martin Luther King (Strength to Love)

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” John 1:5 NLT