Going the second mile.

Matthew 5:41
“And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.”

One explanation is that this is a reference to the practice of "impressment" which, among other things, allowed a Roman soldier to conscript a Jewish native to carry his equipment for one Roman mile (milion = 1,000 paces/app. 1,611 yards) -- no easy task considering a Roman soldier's backpack could weigh upwards of one-hundred pounds.

The word compel is a strong word. It means to force. It means that the conscript had to go the first mile but the Christian should be willing to go another mile. Are you willing to go the second mile? This act goes against every human instinct that we may have. This thought is only one of many from this same passage.

How do we feel about -

Turning the other cheek
Giving away your cloke
Give and borrow to all
Love your enemies
Bless them that curse you
Do good to those that hate you
Pray for those that despitefully use us

All of the above are all alien to human nature, but as we grow in grace it will become easier.

As we go into this week let us go the second mile even when we are compelled to go the first. Let our attitude show forth what God has done in our heart.

At school do more than what is required. Study an extra hour.
At work don’t let the time clock rule our working day. Remember we are not to be men pleasers but God pleasers. Do more that what you are paid for. Give more than what you are selling. Remember the baker always has 13 in his dozen. Lift your customer service above all others because you want to show Christ in your dealings with people.
At home let us do more than our parents require. Let us tidy our room with gusto.
Don’t just give your tithe but remember the offering.
Even in marriage if people would go the extra mile there might be less divorce.

Remember “to go the second mile” is to do something that is not required; it is to do the unexpected. Let us live above what others think we should be like.

Go the second mile with our Lord. Don’t just do what you have to in reading, praying, witnessing or giving.

Live your life in the second mile. A road less travelled.