The Love Mile

Many times in life the one who goes the extra mile is the one who is successful. The individual who does more than what is required of them achieves extraoridinary success and pleasure. Many people in our society today are content and satisfied with simply being average, complacent with just scraping by doing the absolute bare minimum. They sell themselves short, never becoming all that they can be, never reaching their maximum potential.

Unfortunately, many Christians take this same mindset in regards to their faith. They wake up on Sunday, walk through the Church doors, and walk out never changed, challenged, or moved by their faith. They claim to believe, but "Even the demons believe... and tremble," James 2:19. They sell themselves short, just go to Church to feel better about themselves. They see Jesus as their Ticket to Heaven instead of their Savior from Hell. They do the bare minimum, believe, and according to the Bible "Even the demons believe. James 1:22 states "But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." This is a strong warning that being in Church, hearing the Word, being exposed to the word, believing the Word is not enough. Doing the Word is what is asked of us, is what God expects out of us, after we first have Believed.

In Matthew 5:41 Jesus states "Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two." Jesus himself taught that doing the bare minimum is not enough. Not only did he teach it, he lived it. Jesus lived on this earth in the flesh just like you and me, and through it all he remained perfect, sinless. However, just becoming perfect, following the Law completely, going the first Mile was not enough. It was in the second mile, Death on the Cross, the Love Mile, that brought us salvation. He didn't merely come here do be perfect, he came here to save us through death on the cross.

We too have the choice, the opportunity to go the second mile. Do become not only hearers, but doers of the Word of God. Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Believe God, crucify yourself unto Him, Live by faith, and let your faith guide you to God the Father, Spitit, and Son. Don't simply go through the motions, go all out. Go the Second Mile!