Going The Second Mile

Matthew 5:41: "And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.”

 Notice Jesus teaches Christians to go beyond the first mile and to continue on to the second mile.  This afternoon we are going to examine two principles in which we are to go the second mile.

Paul wanted Timothy to study God’s Word in order for him to understand and be able to use the knowledge to combat false doctrine. Every Christian should study God’s Word to learn more about Him and His wonderful love, making sure that we are living our lives in an acceptable manner before God. Unfortunately there are many Christians today who don’t even go the first mile in Christianity. There are so many churches, which are slowly, but surely, moving away from the true Word of God. They are starting to base their worship to God upon their feelings and what they think will draw more people. There’s a great move today in the church of people trying to make the church an entertainment business. Instead of hearing a sermon from the word of God, you will hear lessons that are designed around what people want to hear rather than what people need to hear. You can sit through a whole service, and you might hear 1 or 2 verses from the Bible. This shows that these so-called “Christians” are not beginning on the first mile of Christianity by studying the word of God.  There is a great danger in not growing in your knowledge of the Lord.  (2 Peter 3:18: “But grow in the grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”)  A Christian must be willing to go the first mile before they can ever hope to make the second mile.

Not only did Paul want Timothy to study the Word of God, but also to teach it as well and commit it to other faithful people who would in turn teach to others. This would include his teaching them by word and by example.  This is what we are to do as Christians today. It’s not sufficient to simply study God’s Word, we need to live it by good examples and by teaching it when have the opportunity.

II.  Worship

The first mile is found in Acts 20:7.  “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.”

Every Christian should meet on the first day of the week to worship God. We should not feel that this is something that we have to do, but as something we want to do. Again, there are a lot of Christians who do not embrace this first mile of Christianity because they do not attend the services of the church on a regular basis.  Many will miss the services of the church and will only show up once a month, or two or three times a year. People who attend sporadically do not have their priorities in order. They only come when they feel the need for a little religion or maybe they want to see some of their old friends.

Hebrews 10:24-25: “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” 

When Christians decide to willfully neglect the services of the church, which Jesus purchased with His own blood, they miss out on the opportunity to worship God and encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ. We also miss the opportunity to partake of the Lords Supper and give of our means as the word of God commands us to do. We must strive to do these things in order to accomplish even the first mile of Christianity. 

Matthew 6:33  "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Not only we are to assemble with the saints on the first day of the week, but also to challenge ourselves to put Gods kingdom first in every aspect of our lives. This would include making it to Bible class so that we can learn more about God’s word and how He wants us to worship Him in spirit and in truth.