Each year, on the third Monday in January, the nation honors the life and inspirational legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. While renowned for leading Civil Rights marches and delivering powerful speeches filled with unwavering conviction, Dr. King's impact resonated far beyond these public displays. King was a visionary leader who challenged the nation to meet its ideals, inspiring change through his powerful words and actions. He stood for justice, equality, and love at a time in history when many were resistant to change. Now, nearly 60 years after his passing, the question remains: How do we honor what he fought for? While we’ve made progress as a nation, the echoes of inequality still ring loudly, reminding us that Dr. King's dream remains a work in progress.
Our unique Christian perspective allows us to reflect on his legacy, as his beliefs closely align with Jesus' teachings. So, how can we recognize and celebrate Dr. King in a way that truly honors his life? The answer is simple yet profound: by living out the ideals he so passionately supported. To do that, we must take an honest look at where we are today and compare it to the vision he shared for a just and loving society.
In this article, I’ll share some of Dr. King’s most powerful quotes—words that still speak to us today—and explore practical ways we can use them as a guide to celebrate his legacy and make a difference in the world.
Here are five ways Christians can recognize and celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day:
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1. Make justice a priority.
1. Make justice a priority.
When Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere," he wasn’t just speaking about the issues of his time, he was tapping into a timeless, biblical truth. Justice is not merely a political buzzword or a concept for debate. It’s a core attribute of God’s character. At its heart, justice is about creating a society where fairness, accountability, and protection for all people are not just ideals but everyday realities.
There are two sides to justice that we, as Christians, need to embrace. The first is the idea that all people, regardless of their background, deserve fair and impartial treatment. This means ensuring that the laws of the land protect the vulnerable, defend the innocent, and prevent harm to anyone. The second side of justice is accountability. Justice requires that we hold wrongdoers accountable for their actions—not out of vengeance, but to uphold righteousness and to keep order in our society.
Unfortunately, the tangled web of politics and division has often swallowed the pursuit of justice. As Christians, we must rise above the political noise. Justice isn’t about political alignment; it’s about reflecting God’s heart. When we strip away the partisan rhetoric, we can move toward a world where everyone is treated with dignity, fairness reigns, and accountability is upheld. That’s not just a good idea, it’s what God calls us to pursue. As we honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, let’s recommit ourselves to making justice a priority, not just in theory but in action.
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2. Tear down walls of division.
2. Tear down walls of division.
Jesus once warned, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” Those words hold as much weight today as they did when he spoke them. Yet, here we are, in America, and even in the church, living with walls of division that destroy our unity. Sadly, many are comfortable with that and not fazed by it at all. There are even those in the church who welcome the division. Clearly, they are not heeding Jesus’ words.
If you draw a line, it will identify many areas of division within the church. Whether it’s politics, race, social issues, or even the style of worship, there seems to be no shortage of reasons to build walls and separate ourselves from one another. But here’s the hard truth: as long as we remain divided, we undermine the very mission Christ gave to the church.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words challenge us deeply: “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” While the church itself may never perish, its influence in our society certainly can, and perhaps that’s the far greater issue. In case you haven’t noticed, the world is watching. When they see the same divisions in the church that they see in society, what reason do they have to believe in the transformative power of the gospel?
As much as we may pray for revival and talk about wanting a fresh move of the Holy Spirit, that won’t happen until we, as the body of Christ, decide to tear down the walls that divide us. I need to make this abundantly clear. Unity isn’t easy. It requires humility, forgiveness, and intentional effort. But that’s the work Jesus calls us to do. There is a choice that lies in your hands today. You can either hold a grudge or extend grace. You can seek to retaliate or seek to reconcile. Which one will you choose? If we truly want to reflect Christ to the world and honor Dr. King’s legacy, we must stop fighting one another and start building bridges. Only then can we stand as one and fulfill the mission God has entrusted to us.
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3. Love your enemies.
3. Love your enemies.
When it comes to celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., here’s a radical idea: love your enemies. This concept wasn’t new to Dr. King—it’s a command straight from the mouth of Jesus, spoken over 2,000 years ago. Dr. King simply took that timeless truth and lived it out in the face of some of the greatest opposition anyone could imagine. And yet, doesn’t it feel like in today’s culture, we’ve drifted far from this principle? Instead of loving those who oppose us, we often lean into retaliation—an eye for an eye, a clapback for every insult. But, let me ask you, how can responding with hate ever heal a broken world? I think you know it can’t because only love can do that.
Dr. King said, “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.” Let that sink in. Love has the power to transform, not just tolerate or coexist, but to truly transform the lives of others. Think about how God’s love changed you? That’s why it’s not about who wins the argument or who gets the last word. It’s about pointing people to Jesus. Shouldn’t that be our top priority?
When we love our enemies, we are glorifying Christ. In 1 Peter 3:9, we’re reminded, “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
Loving your enemies is difficult. It requires humility, grace, and a lot of prayer. But that is exactly what Jesus expects us to do. So, if you want to celebrate Dr. King in a way that truly honors his memory, start by loving the very people who oppose you. That’s how we transform culture. That’s how we change the world. And most importantly, that’s how we glorify Jesus.
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4. Do what is right all the time, despite the consequences.
4. Do what is right all the time, despite the consequences.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The time is always right to do what is right.” Such a simple yet powerful truth, and one that feels increasingly difficult to live out in today’s world. People are not always going to stand up and applaud you for doing what is right. In fact, it may come with pushback, criticism, and sometimes even consequences. However, following Jesus has never been about taking the path of least resistance. Many times, that is the wide road that leads to destruction. Jesus calls us to stand firm for what is right, no matter the cost. This, my friends, is the narrow road that leads to life.
Think about Jesus. He didn’t shy away from speaking the truth or standing up for righteousness, even when it put him at odds with the religious leaders of his day. He didn’t do this with anger, violence, or vengeance, but with patience, kindness, and gentleness. Today we might call that weak, yet his life proves otherwise. Jesus’ sacrifice paved the way for the salvation of the world. Jesus’ life was a testament to doing what is right all the time, regardless of the consequences. Dr. King followed the same example, standing boldly for justice and equality in the face of threats, imprisonment, and even death. He knew the time to do right is always now, even if it costs you everything.
If we want to honor Dr. King’s legacy, let’s commit to doing what is right, even when it’s hard and even when it costs us something. Because in the end, righteousness is not about convenience, it’s about obedience. It is that obedience that allows us to be light in a dark world. When we live out that kind of obedience, we have the potential to truly change the lives of those around us.
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” …For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. - 1 Peter 3:13-14;17
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5. Genuinely care about your neighbor.
5. Genuinely care about your neighbor.
In Luke 10, Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” He wasn’t giving us a feel-good mantra. He was giving us a command. After saying this, an expert in the law asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” To answer his question, Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan. While you may be familiar with the story, don’t miss the key point. The Samaritan and the Jewish man in the story were enemies. Jews and Samaritans despised each other. Yet, when the Jewish man was beaten and left for dead, it wasn’t his own people who stopped to help. It was the Samaritan who showed compassion.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. posed a similar question: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” So, let’s ask the question again, who is your neighbor? Your neighbor isn’t just the person who looks like you, talks like you, votes like you, or believes what you believe. Your neighbor could be the undocumented immigrant living in your community. It could be the person with opposing political views, or someone living a lifestyle you don’t agree with. Jesus didn’t put qualifiers on who your neighbor is, and neither should we.
So, what are you doing for others? Not just for the people who are easy to love, but the ones who aren’t. Are you showing them the love of Christ through your words and actions? That, my friends, is the heart of the gospel. Imagine if those who followed Christ loved others with the same love, grace, and compassion that Jesus has shown to us. Christians living like that have the potential to influence the world greatly, but are you up for the challenge? If you want to recognize and celebrate Dr. King’s legacy, then follow Jesus’ command. Start by genuinely loving and caring for your neighbor. It will not always be easy, but it will always be right.
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Originally published January 17, 2025.
