January 27 marked the seventieth anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. On that day world leaders and dignitaries, along with survivors of the infamous extermination camp, gathered at the “gate of death” to commemorate the day an evil nightmare ended and to give voice to the lessons the world must never forget. In several messages to the assembled there, the theme of remembrance of the past as the only way to prevent future atrocities was prominent. Indeed, after all we have learned about that heinous period of earth’s history, we still managed to witness genocide in Rwanda, September 11, ISIS, and recent events in Paris.

The lessons of Auschwitz and the Holocaust in general bear repeating. These things happen gradually, starting with the moment just one person looks at someone else as anything less than what they really are—beloved children of God. The survivors of the Holocaust become fewer and fewer in number every year, but their stories are not just theirs. They belong to Adventists, too. We must use their memories to ever remind us of what Christ calls us to be in this world—light. As He is compassion, kindness, and justice personified, so must we be.

We still have situations today—in this world and in this church—that call us to stand up for what is right. For what is of Christ.

Adventists have the obligation—bearing a unique message as a people of hope—to be responsible and never feign ignorance of history. To use our God-given charge to stand up for our brothers and sisters—all of our brothers and sisters—in order to be as Christ would have us be.

We must stand against any behavior that isn’t of Christ, the one we love and live for
because He loves and lives for us. n