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Verse:Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 3:13, 14
One of the worst social problems in the world is racism, a form of social injustice in which people are judged not by what they are but rather by the color of their skin and their ethnic background. Conscious of how dangerous and threatening this problem is, many have joined anti-racist social and political movements.
On August 28, 1963, more than two hundred thousand people gathered in Washington, DC, for the March on Washington, a political rally for racial justice and equal opportunities for African Americans. The event culminated with Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous speech “I Have a Dream,” in which he stated, “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up, live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.’” But how can we truly overcome racism and other forms of discrimination? Should we hate those who hate us and discriminate against those who discriminate against us? If we do that, we end up adding more fuel to the fire, which can only generate an environment filled with even more hate.
Dr. King also said, “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.” No wonder Jesus commanded, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you” (Matthew 5:44).
Love is the only oil that can effectively lubricate the rusty wheels of our society. Geographical moves cannot transform our competitive, self-exalting instincts. Our own human efforts and best achievements cannot change our sinful nature. The task of overcoming our own selfishness —including the natural tendency to hate those who hate us and ignore those who ignore us— is a continuous process of being transformed more fully into Christ’s image and likeness.
As Paul said in Philippians 3:13, 14, we should forget our past failures and “press on” toward God’s ideal for our lives.
Only God’s converting grace can give us a new, unselfish, and loving heart!