Monday, January 19, we will celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy of nonviolent activism for civil rights. As you reflect on everything MLK stood and fought for, you can’t help but notice the countless biblical references in his speeches, sermons, and letters from prison.

The Baptist minister drew from his strong Christian faith as the basis for much of his peaceful platform, and he frequently alluded to Scripture when addressing crowds. In a famous sermon given in 1956, King reworks portions of the New Testament Letters Paul wrote as if they were addressed to Americans. He constantly referenced themes of justice, peace and forgiveness that appear throughout Scripture. The Bible contains over two thousand verses on poverty and justice, and Jesus talked fervently about social justice: including gender, ethnic and racial equality.

As our country continues to navigate racial tension after the recent deaths of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and Eric Garner, let’s remember Martin Luther King, Jr. and his dream, based on the Bible, of equality and justice for all. Below are six verses reminding us of our duty as believers to pursue biblical justice.