Going The Extra Mile

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

The Biblical Success Principle we will examine today is going the second mile. It means that we should always do more than is expected of us and do it cheerfully because we are doing it in obedience to our Lord. The origin of this saying is Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew Chapter Five in which Jesus outlines behaviors that go beyond what is expected by man.

As a part of our Christian testimony we should strive to do more, to do it better, and to do it sooner than is required or expected of you by other people. It is better to under promise and over perform, then it is to overpromise and under perform.

We should go the extra mile to have a good testimony and to show that we are different from other people. Paul’s letter to Titus reminds us that we are to be” a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Peter tells us that we are “a chosen generation” and “a peculiar people” to “shew forth the praises” of Christ.

In these passages “peculiar” does not mean strange or unusual. The opposite is true. The term “peculiar” here means “pertaining to”. Just as a cactus pertains to the desert; our behavior should tell others that we pertain to God.

As we strive for prosperity and success in our lives we are glad to find sound advice that will propel us forward to the realization of our goals.

PROVIDE A BETTER VOLUME OF SERVICE

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” - Galatians 6:9 -

In those days the Roman Empire ruled the world. Along with conquest, the Romans built an impressive road system with mile markers along the way. To keep the Roman soldiers from being exhausted due to carrying their heavy gear, a Jew could be compelled to carry his gear for him, but only for one mile. That was the requirement.

However, Jesus expects more from his children than the world does from theirs. And while the expectations of God on our life is more stringent than those of man; they are also exceedingly more rewarding.

PERFORM A BETTER QUALITY OF SERVICE

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave whither thou goest.” - Ecclesiastes 9:10 –

The truth is, each day that you render mediocre performance is another opportunity you have missed to make a name for yourself.

“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” - Proverbs 22:1 -

A good name and a good reputation go hand in hand. When you excel in your job you will be assured of constant employment and future success. There are many things that riches cannot buy, but having a good name is a priceless treasure. You are the only one that can earn a good name and the only one who can steal your good name away is you. Guard your testimony!

PRESENT A BETTER ATTITUDE OF SERVICE

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” – Colossians 3:23, 24 –

By giving your best service to others with a good attitude, you condition yourself to carry that attitude into other areas of your life. It becomes a positive habit that actually changes the way you feel about yourself. A positive attitude in your daily activities is contagious. The law of reaping and sowing tells us that a good attitude toward others will cause them to have a good attitude toward us in return.

PRODUCE A BETTER REWARD OF SERVICE

“The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.” - Ruth 2:12 –

As a child of God we are told that Jesus makes us kings and priests unto God. The reward of those in the Old Testament priesthood was their relationship to God. All of the tribes of Israel had an inheritance in the promised land except for the Levite priests. The had some cities and some land to work but nothing of their own on this earth. God told the high priest Aaron that: “I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.”

God Loves You and so do I;

J.R.Hodges