Precious in His Sight
By Susan Klein
“From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth…”
Acts 17:26a
If you are an American, you are most likely familiar with the words, “I have a dream...” spoken by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the famous speech he gave in Washington D.C. on August 28, 1963. Dr. King was a God-fearing man with a belief that since all men were created in God’s image, they should all be treated the same. Unfortunately, many at the time did not agree, and Dr. King was martyred for his beliefs.By Susan Klein
“From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth…”
Acts 17:26a
Dr. King spent his life serving God and His people. He pastored a church, led peaceful organized protests against racism, and even won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. In his book, Strength to Love, he taught about “loving your enemies,” and “being a good neighbor,” always quoting Scripture and using Jesus’ teachings from the gospels as an example of how we should live. In this book, he also acknowledges that we need the love of God to live in peaceful unity, stating, “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...The chain reaction of evil—hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars—must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.”
In his “I Have A Dream” speech, he says, “I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.” This is Israel’s dream in the book of Isaiah. This was the dream of a people group in 1963. And, it is still a dream for many today.
Scripture tells us we are all born of one man, Adam, thus, making us all brothers. Brothers created in the image of a holy and loving God. Just as our heavenly Father loves us, we are to love our brothers as ourselves. Let’s honor Dr. King today by showing that love to someone. Let’s be proactive as we wait for the day when all mankind will see it together!
...red, brown, yellow, black and white, all are precious in His sight...
GOING DEEPER:
1. Who outside of your immediate circle of friends and family can you show love to today?
2. In what ways can you better live out Jesus’ command to love your neighbor as yourself?
FURTHER READING:
Mark 12:29-31; Matthew 5: 43-45; 1John 1: 9-11
Susan is a wife and mother of two. She leads a small group and teaches for Tuesday a.m. Bible Study.
