Martin Luther King Jr. Quotes on Faith: 10 Memorable Statements from the Christian Pastor

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was only 39 years old when he was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, by James Earl Ray on April 4, 1968, according to History.com. But, prior to his murder, the Baptist minister and civil rights activist generated a lifetime of changes, achievements and inspiring quotes that dramatically transformed America.

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While King spun memorable quotations about freedom, civil rights, humankind and other critical issues, as a Christian pastor some of his most notable quotes were on matters of faith.

Here are 10 of King’s most unforgettable quotes on faith:

1. “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” –MLK quote courtesy Brightdrops.com

2. "I just want to do God's will. And he's allowed me to go to the mountain. And I've looked over, and I've seen the Promised Land! I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the Promised Land." –MLK quote courtesy Christian Post

3. "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." –MLK quote courtesy Brainy Quote

4. "The hottest place in hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of great moral conflict.
 –MLK quote courtesy Christian Post

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5. "Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a constant attitude." –MLK quote courtesy GoodReads

6. "It is cheerful to God when you rejoice or laugh from the bottom of your heart." –MLK quote courtesy Quotery

7. "The end of life is not to be happy, nor to achieve pleasure and avoid pain, but to do the will of God, come what may." –MLK quote courtesy Christian Post

8. "When I took up the cross I recognized its meaning. The cross is something that you bear, and ultimately, that you die on." –MLK quote courtesy Gospel Herald

9. "The gospel at its best deals with the whole man, not only his soul but his body, not only his spiritual well-being, but his material well-being as well." –MLK quote courtesy Gospel Herald

10. "The early Christians rejoiced when they were deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed. In those days the Church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society." –MLK quote courtesy Gospel Herald

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