Tag Archives: Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. On Loving Your Enemies


Now there is a final reason I think that Jesus says, “Love your enemies.” It is this: that love has within it a redemptive power. And there is a power there that eventually transforms individuals. Just keep being friendly to that person. Just keep loving them, and they can’t stand it too long. Oh, they react in many ways in the beginning. They react with guilt feelings, and sometimes they’ll hate you a little more at that transition period, but just keep loving them. And by the power of your love they will break down under the load. That’s love, you see. It is redemptive, and this is why Jesus says love. There’s something about love that builds up and is creative. There is something about hate that tears down and is destructive. So love your enemies.

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from “Loving Your Enemies” sermon delivered at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, Montgomery, Alabama, on 17 November 1957.

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Monday Devotion: Spiritual Guidance


The selection of reading on the discipline of Guidance is taken from the essay “Walk with Freedom” by Martin Luther King Jr. which was published in 1956. The main theme of the essay is, violence is not only impractical but also immoral. Secondly, love of God is the transforming power that can renovate the whole community to new horizons of fair play, good will, and justice. For this reason, King used love as the instrument and weapon to fight against the rulers and authorities who oppressed and condemned African-Americans inhumanely. Continue reading Monday Devotion: Spiritual Guidance

Monday Devotion: Martin Luther King Jr. on Spiritual Guidance


Martin Luther King Jr. (1929 – 1968)

Background and Context

Martin Luther King Jr. was born as Michael Luther King Jr. into Christian family in Atlanta, Georgia on 15th January 1929. Later, his father changed his name to Martin to honor German Protestant leader Martin Luther. His father was a Baptist minister, and his maternal grandfather was also a Baptist pastor for a long time. King also served in the Baptist church as co-pastor until his death by assassination in Memphis, Tennessee on 4th April 1968.

King was known as one of the eloquent speakers of American civil rights movement. He led the civil rights movement in the United States from the mid-1950s. During that time, he raised voice against racial discrimination in America, especially for African-America. In his time, there was hardly a black leader in the country. However, his dynamic leadership succeeded to attract the attention of the world. He led a mass of hundreds of thousands of people against racial discrimination and segregation law. Continue reading Monday Devotion: Martin Luther King Jr. on Spiritual Guidance