In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., we present a quote from Tod Bolsinger’s book Tempered Resilience which includes King’s ten commandments for his nonviolent movement, which are very much in accord with the teachings of Jesus. Maybe every member of our congregations should agree to these guidelines for every part of their lives?
“For Martin Luther King Jr. the demands of a nonviolent public protest movement for racial equality and reconciliation led to the development of a commitment or rule of life that was very specific for furthering those ends.
Every volunteer was required to sign a commitment card that read:
I HEREBY PLEDGE MYSELF—MY PERSON AND BODY—TO THE NONVIOLENT MOVEMENT. THEREFORE I WILL KEEP THE FOLLOWING TEN COMMANDMENTS:
1. MEDITATE daily on the teachings and life of Jesus.
2. REMEMBER always that the nonviolent movement in Birmingham seeks justice and reconciliation—not victory.
3. WALK and TALK in the manner of love, for God is love.
4. PRAY daily to be used by God in order that all men might be free.
5. SACRIFICE personal wishes in order that all men might be free.
6. OBSERVE with both friend and foe the ordinary rules of courtesy.
7. SEEK to perform regular service for others and for the world.
8. REFRAIN from the violence of fist, tongue, or heart.
9. STRIVE to be in good spiritual and bodily health.
10. FOLLOW the directions of the movement and of the captain on a demonstration.
I sign this pledge, having seriously considered what I do and with the determination and will to persevere.
Tod E. Bolsinger, Tempered Resilience (InterVarsity Press, 2020), 134-135.
The Ten Commandments come from: Martin Luther King Jr., Why We Can’t Wait, King Legacy 4 (Boston: Beacon Press, 2000), 69-70.
