Go the extra mile

“But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” Matthew 5:4

Going the extra mile means you’re going beyond or doing more for someone than is expected. This idiom actually derives from Matthew 5:41 when Jesus says, “If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.”

Jesus is explaining to the people that it's easy to love the ones we like, but as believers he’s telling us to show love to everyone, even those not liking us. God’s love becomes evident in our lives when we go out of our way showing kindness and grace to others.

When I watch the news I see all the hate being played out in the world and I become fearful, especially for the future of my grandchildren. I see a world that is spiritually empty with an enemy on the prowl. But then I stop and remember where to place my trust. Is it in the leaders of our nation or is it in the hands of the Creator? I choose the latter.

In James 2:14-16, he talks about having faith without deeds. When we know of someone in need and we say, “Go, I wish you well” and don’t help them we’re not being Christlike. How do we expect others to come to know Jesus in a real and personal way if they can’t see the love of Christ in us? James 2:17 says, “In the same way, faith by itself, if is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

When we’re wronged or have been hurt by someone, our nature is to dismiss the relationship and move on. We let our feelings dictate how we react. But as believers, we’re called to do everything humanly possible to mend fences. Not because we’re better, but because we have the living Holy Spirit empowering us to demonstrate His love.

God always wants us to go the extra mile. We do this because before we became believers, God put in our path someone that led us to him. Over time our heart was softened and we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior so now we get to be the light in the life of those around us. 1 Thessalonians 3:12 says, “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.”