In early 2015, a fraternity at the University of Oklahoma in the US was caught on video singing a deeply offensive and racist song. Reaction by university officials was swift and stern, and rightly so. But what did Isaac Hill, president of the school’s Black Student Association, have to say? After all, the chillingly racist chant had targeted African-Americans.
Stunningly, Mr. Hill recommended that the offending students be forgiven. If you’ve seen the video or heard the appalling lyrics of the song, you likely understand just how radical his counsel was. When a news anchor pressed him as to why he didn’t want retribution, Hill replied, “It is not smart to fight hate with hate. It is only logical to fight hate with love.”
That wise and rare advice finds a connection to the ethos that guided Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness,” he said. “Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
In turn, those words point us directly to Jesus, of whom John said, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it” (John 1:5). Throughout His ministry, Jesus taught His followers a radically peaceful set of principles. Then He lived it out to the very end, confounding Pilate and embracing crucifixion when He could have defended Himself. In Luke we read these jarring words: “They nailed him to the cross” (Luke 23:33). It was then, at that awful moment, that Jesus said these amazing words: “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
When we experience hate, it’s natural to hate in return. Jesus showed us the better, supernatural way—the way of His love.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Genesis 28:10-22
More:
Read Luke 22:49-52 to see how Jesus reacted when Peter defended Him with a sword.
Next:
How do you react when you encounter hate or personal attacks? Why is it vital for you to seek the Holy Spirit’s help in order to respond like Jesus did?
Gary Shultz on January 18, 2016 at 6:36 am
Congrats, double duty today. Growing up with a lot of energy in racial division, I couldn’t figure it out. If God’s created all, He certainly knew about this. Some pride themselves because of their origin of birth. That was a mystery to me since we each didn’t do the picking. In many areas it spreads to gender and on and on lines are drawn, to make one self exclusive, to hate without cause. Hate will destroy, and as you have pointed out “the way of His love” is the only response of healing for both. No one ever made the reach that Christ did for “all” of us. Thanks Tim
Tim Gustafson on January 18, 2016 at 8:09 am
Thank you, Gary. What a difference the right soft answer can make. When done correctly, it isn’t weak at all, for such an answer can only come from true strength—the kind of strength that Christ showed us.
gagirllive on January 18, 2016 at 8:49 am
What a timely word for this day! Thanks, Tim. Although we are not called to overlook injustice in this world, our personal response and attitude should be one of love…calling the evil what it is but overcoming it with good…demonstrating love in the face of hate. Light exposes darkness as well as overcomes it. As MLK said, “The time is always right to do the right thing.” May we all as Christ-followers have the faith and courage to drive out the darkness around us (and perhaps even within us) with the light of His love and grace.
Tim Gustafson on January 18, 2016 at 10:01 am
Yes, gagirllive, and I find that I constantly have to fight the urge either to ignore the injustice that I see, or get too angry about it and react only out of that anger. The true light can come only from Christ as He shines through us.
gagirllive on January 18, 2016 at 10:45 am
Me, too, Tim. It’s overwhelming, and when I feel overwhelmed I want to shut down. But then I hear that still small voice tell me, “You’re not called to do everything, but you can do something.” I try to remember that God has placed me in my little sphere of influence to speak and act justly, not to pass by on the other side like the Levite. (Luke 10:31-32) A compassionate response is what He wants…love “does”.
Tom Felten on January 18, 2016 at 9:20 am
Tim, I so appreciate Mr. Hill’s response. It reminds me of 1 John 3:18-20. John writes, “God is greater than our feelings.” May we submit to His Spirit today and lavish love on those around us!
alipat59 on January 18, 2016 at 9:59 am
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
Roxanne Robbins on January 18, 2016 at 11:06 am
An ethos that’s needed in politics as well.
peggy golston on January 18, 2016 at 11:21 am
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, “that it may impart grace to the hearers. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. – Ephesian 4: 29, 31-32
Believe me I didn’t get here over night, but with GRACE, MERCY, and MATURITY I grew here. So as we let our light so shine, others will see the Father of Light in us. “MUCH LOVE”
elegantstarr on January 18, 2016 at 12:05 pm
We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Tim Gustafson on January 18, 2016 at 12:32 pm
How very true! We are all a mixed bag, yet God offers His forgiveness to anyone who will receive it. We should imitate that kind of love.