The MLK Day holiday has passed, but we need to be educated on the actual message and mission of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This sermon by Bishop William J. Barber is profound and scholarly.
Matthew 18:1, At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
As we are dealing with many grievous situations in our world, those of us who won't be silent will have to maintain balance. We must remain vigilant and active. At the same time, we must avoid strife or becoming obsessed with the deeds of evildoers.
Those of us who care about our community and country do not have the luxury of sitting on the sidelines or only posting happy, silly, or self-serving content. We are also called to live in joy and peace.
Here is a Scripture text to meditate on from Psalm 37. Note that three times Scripture states, “do not fret.”
1 Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. 3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. 6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. 7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm. 9 For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the Lord, They shall inherit the earth. 10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; Indeed, you will look carefully his place, But it shall be no more. 11 But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace
God’s Word as the Calibration Standard Psalm 119:105, Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Life must be aligned to God’s Word to avoid drift, error, or distortion.
2 Corinthians 13:5, Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.
We don't need to make assumptions or just operate on our feelings. The Bible gives us objective standards.
Renewal of the Mind is like a Recalibration Romans 12:2, Be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
The world introduces bias and noise; the mind must be recalibrated so perception and decision-making reflect God’s will.
Correction and Course Adjustment Proverbs 3:5–6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart… He shall direct your paths.
Serving 1 John 3:16–18, Let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
In these times, and especially in light of Rev. Dr. King, Jr. holiday, it is fitting for us to recognize the value and importance of civil liberties and constitutional rights.
Only a few decades ago, our recent ancestors did not always have the right to vote, were not respected as human peers, experienced discrimination, hardship, and even death simply for being African American.
The facts of history, verified by events from the past to the present day, confirm that racism and white supremacy are not merely stains on the fabric of our nation. They are threads that helped form and shape that fabric. At the same time, we must also acknowledge that the fabric of our nation has many good threads.
As we observe the Dr. King holiday, let us remember the man, not only for his memorable quotes, but for his deep faith in God. It was that faith that motivated him to serve and ultimately to give his life for the humane treatment of all people and for the civil liberties of all Americans.
Dr. King’s work was consistent with Scripture.
The prophet Isaiah wrote in chapter 1, verse 17: “Learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.”
Jesus said in Luke chapter 4, verse 18: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and to set at liberty those who are oppressed.”
The Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians chapter 5, verse 1: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not allow yourselves to be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Today, we are witnessing an era of Christian nationalism that seeks to use the levers of government power to force people to follow their version of God. This approach inevitably leads to inhumane tactics and the punishment of those who do not conform.
This has always been the outcome of merging church and government. It is why people fled England—casting off the oppression of an authoritarian king who believed himself divinely appointed to rule without restraint. It is also why there is no Scripture embedded in the United States Constitution. The founders never intended the nation to be ruled by religion.
Yet that is precisely what Christian nationalists are attempting to do in our day.
The Christian nationalist worldview insists that the nation should look and behave like them. As a result, the Constitution becomes a barrier to their objectives. This is why constitutional mandates such as due processare often disregarded, and injustice is allowed to flourish, such as with the arrest and detainment of U.S. citizens on the suspicion (not probable cause) that they might be undocumented. Christian nationalist patriotism is rooted in self-service and racial superiority.
By contrast, the brilliance and righteousness of Dr. King’s movement was its commitment to being salt and light, influencing government to do right by the people. They did not seek to control government, but to influence those within it to make justice and righteousness the standard.
To Dr. King, the U.S. Constitution was a promissory note, one made to all people, especially Black Americans, at a time when they were not treated as beneficiaries of the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950's and 1960's embodied a genuine patriotism rooted in service to others.
