The Extra Mile
by Michael Cawthorn
via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15 No. 2, February 2015
What comes to your mind when you hear the word extra? Maybe as a student, you were able to do some assignments or additional homework for extra credit. Perhaps, as an athlete, you had to run extra laps as punishment. As a parent putting together a toy, have you ever had some extra pieces after you thought you had finished? "Extra" means “over and above what is usual or normal” (Webster). We live in a world of normality. People want to do just what is required and as little as possible to get by when it comes to work. Ironically, when we are on the receiving end, we tend to expect (and sometimes demand) extra from others.
Jesus expects more of His disciples. In a day when a Roman soldier could require you to pick up his equipment and carry it for a mile, Jesus taught, “And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two” (Matthew 5:41). Can you imagine the look of surprise on the soldier’s face when the mile marker was reached and someone said, “I’m good. Let’s go one more!” As our Lord knew, there is power in going the extra mile!
Even as Christians, one of our most difficult challenges is that of complacency. Once the confession is heard and we are baptized for the remission of our sins (Acts 2:38), we tend to put the spiritual gear in neutral and coast through our discipleship. Listen to Peter as he coaches us into putting in the extra effort. “But for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (II Peter 1:5-8). Did you notice the words that go beyond normal expectation? We need to be provoked sometimes to give all diligence, add to, and abound in our spiritual growth.
This kind of attitude needs to be in all areas of our service to the Lord. What kind of impact could this have on our giving? With the Old Testament mindset of giving ten percent, Jesus illuminates the actions of a widow who did more. In fact, she gave all. “Assuredly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury” (Mark 12:43). Generosity implies more than expected. Jesus tends to highlight those kinds of people. Remember the Good Samaritan7
In a world where most tend to underachieve in kindness, we are told to go out of our way to do more. “And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?” (Matthew 5:47). Some of us need first to apply that to our brethren! We need to leave our section of the building after the “amen” and greet our other brothers and sisters. Say hello to the lady sitting by herself waiting for her ride. Stop and ask a young person how they are doing. Maybe then we will have the practice of showing kindness to a stranger on the street, in school, at work, or at the supermarket.
There are additional benefits to putting in this extra effort. Most people never reach their potential as servants of the Lord. Our culture’s low expectations have invaded our spiritual lives as well. Yet, for those who go the extra mile, there is growth into becoming what God designed you to be for His use. Christians who do more also experience an increase in their influence with others. Your family will notice a difference in you, and after wondering if you are ill, they will most likely join with you! You will be a force for evangelism. People are drawn to those who accomplish more, help more, and live more. They will want to know why you do what you do.
Perhaps most importantly, your extra shows the Lord your passion and commitment to Him. “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it” (I Corinthians 9:24). If we all ran our race to win, people might start asking why we read our Bibles so much or why we always “go to church” even on Wednesdays, or why we spend so much time in prayer or talking to people about Jesus. If we all ran our race to win, the Father will give us the crown of righteousness (II Timothy 4:8).
The only difference between extraordinary people and ordinary people is that little extra!
