Christ Leads The Way

“And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.“ – Matthew 5:41

How many of us have done the bare minimum on our jobs? Maybe you’ve used the phrase, “That’s not in my job description” before. Or perhaps you’ve thought, “They don’t pay me enough to do all that.” And we’ve all had coworkers who have done less than the minimum requirements. It can be annoying – especially when you have to pick up the slack.

I recently heard a message on Matthew 5:41 about how we as Christians need to go the second mile in love, in forgiveness, and in the way we treat others. It got me to thinking about other ways in which we must go the second mile, as Jesus commanded. The scripture referenced above says, “Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two” (Matthew 5:41). That verse applies not only to our relationships with other people, but it can also apply to our relationship with God.

In 2 Corinthians 5:14, the apostle Paul wrote, “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died.” Compel means to drive toward a certain course of action. Christ’s love for us should steer our daily actions. He has compelled us to live for HIm.

Are you going the second mile for Christ? Or is it difficult to even do the bare minimum? He’s commanded us to study His Word (2 Timothy 2:15). He’s commanded us to pray (1 Thessalonians 5:17). He’s commanded us to take up our cross daily and follow Him (Mark 8:34). And those are not the only requirements. According to Matthew 5:41, we’re to do that and more.

While considering this passage, I realized that there are some people who, on their jobs, go above and beyond and are not only doing the bare minimum – they arrive early, stay late, and take on additional tasks. Yet, do we have that same attitude and fervor for our jobs as Christians? Do we read more than a few verses or a chapter of scripture a day? Do we pray more than just at mealtime? Do we deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Him only when it’s convenient?

Jesus did exceedingly, abundantly more than we could ever ask – for us! And He compels us to go with Him – not just one mile, but two. Will you do the bare minimum? Or will you go the extra mile for Christ?

“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise.” (Ephesians 5:15)

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