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Second Mile Christian



Matthew 5:38-41 - Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 

But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 

And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. 

And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 

This was D.L.Moody’s favorite portion of Scripture. Moody was asked why he preached this so often and he said, “If you don’t get this right, you won’t get the Christian life right.”

Charles Haddon Spurgeon preached from it at least 4 times per year and taught young preachers to do the same.

There is a great principle in these verses for us, and we should not miss that. Certainly we should be helpful to those who are in need. And there are many fine Christian acts that can be performed by believers. Historically, hospitals, orphan homes, and works of charity (which the Bible calls acts of love) have followed the preaching of the gospel. I do not know any place on earth where they preceded the gospel, but they always followed it. There should be the fruit of good works in a believer's life.

This portion of scripture came on the heels of Jesus teaching the beatitudes, radical teaching during Jesus’ day! Jesus was telling them and you and me, “I’ve not just called you to do something, but to be something.”

Allow God’s Word to mold you into a second-mile Christian.