August 15 - Go The Extra Mile.

Matthew 5:41-42
“And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.”
 
God wants us to go above and beyond what is expected of us. If we are asked to go a mile, we should go the extra mile. Be a Second Mile Christian.
 
“compel thee to go a mile”
Regardless of what is asked of us, when we feel compelled we must not only participate, but do so willingly. Submitting to the unreasonable demands of others allows us to display the love of Christ.
 
In this same passage Christ warns us of what is sure to happen when we live our lives by going the extra mile.
Matthew 5:44
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”
 
Christ knew exactly what it was like to have enemies. He knew what it was like to be cursed and hated. He prayed for those that despitefully used and persecuted Him.
 
When we live our lives in service to others we will develop enemies. We will be cursed at and hated, and we will definitely be despitefully used and persecuted – even by other Christians and those we consider our friends. But we should never let that stop us from going the extra mile!
 
Matthew 5:46
“For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?”
 
Going the extra mile is not always easy.
There will be attacks. There will be burdens.
 
Going the extra mile is always worth it.
There will be joy. There will be rewards.
 
Those who go the extra mile for the Lord’s glory will never be disappointed.
 
 
Bible Reading:
Job 9-10  |  I Peter 5  |  Psalm 16