EXTRA MILE CHRISTIANS
There is a kind of “Christian” whose religion goes no farther than convenience. He will pray if prayer costs him little. He will serve if service does not weary him. He will give if giving leaves his treasures untouched.
But our Lord never called men to a convenient cross. He said, “Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two” (Matthew 5:41). The disciple of Christ is not merely to meet the lowest requirement of duty, but to overflow in grace, kindness, sacrifice, and love. The extra mile is the road upon which the true spirit of Christianity is often revealed.
The natural heart asks, “What must I do?” but the redeemed heart asks, “What more can I do for Christ?” Love never measures with a stingy scale. When Mary broke the alabaster flask and poured costly perfume upon Jesus, some complained that it was excessive, but heaven did not call it waste (John 12:3-8). Love always appears extravagant to cold hearts.
A person who has seen Calvary cannot remain content with shallow devotion. Christ did not merely walk one mile toward our salvation. He came all the way from glory to Golgotha, “becoming obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:7-8).
The extra mile Christian forgives when others would retaliate. He gives when others clutch tightly to their possessions. He remains gentle while the world grows bitter. Our Savior taught, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you” (Matthew 5:44). Such living cannot be produced by fleshly strength. It is born from communion with Christ.
People who spend little time with Jesus become narrow and harsh, but those who dwell near Him begin to reflect His spirit. Stephen, while stones crushed the life from his body, prayed for his murderers because he had seen the glory of Christ (Acts 7:55-60).
Many believers stop at the first mile because the second mile is lonely. There are few companions there. Crowds followed Jesus when He multiplied bread, but many departed when discipleship demanded surrender (John 6:26, 66). The extra mile costs pride, comfort, reputation, and ease.
Yet it is along this difficult road that the sweetest fellowship with Christ is discovered. Simon of Cyrene carried the cross behind Jesus for a distance, but every true Christian must spiritually take up that cross daily (Luke 9:23). No soldier wins victories while sleeping on the battlefield.
How beautiful is the Christian who quietly serves beyond what is expected. The mother who prays through sleepless nights for her children. The preacher who studies when no applause is heard. The saint who visits the lonely, encourages the weak, and gives secretly without seeking praise from men (Matthew 6:3-4; Hebrews 6:10). Heaven keeps better records than earth. God sees every hidden act done for His name. “Your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
There is also an extra mile in holiness. Some believers wish merely to avoid scandal, but the child of God longs to be pure in heart. He flees not only sinful acts but sinful affections. He cries with David, “Create in me a clean heart, O God” (Psalm 51:10), and with Paul he presses forward toward maturity in Christ (Philippians 3:13-14).
Lukewarm religion satisfies many churches today, yet Christ still says, “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16). The world has enough half-hearted Christians. What it lacks are burning lamps filled with oil, shining brightly in dark places.
And what shall sustain a believer upon this second mile? Only the sight of Jesus Himself. When the soul grows weary, let it look again to Calvary. Consider Him who endured the contradiction of sinners against Himself lest you become discouraged in your hearts (Hebrews 12:2-3).
The nails, the crown of thorns, the spear, the shame, and the abandonment He endured for us should stir us to deeper devotion. We never outgive Christ. We never suffer beyond Him. We never walk farther for Him than He first walked for us.
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Lord Jesus, keep us from lazy and shallow religion. Fill our hearts with such love for You that we gladly walk the extra mile in service, forgiveness, holiness, and sacrifice. Teach us to live beyond mere duty and to delight in obedience. Amen.
BDD
