Command 9 : Go the Second Mile | Day 63

Keep Your Balance!

It is easy to take this command out of context and apply it in ways that are both unwise and unbiblical. God is not instructing us to give our cheek to anyone who wants to slap it, nor our coat or money to anyone who asks for it, or even to go a second mile for anyone who commands us to do it.

Jesus did nothing of His own will. In the same way, we must follow only the will of our heavenly Father.

Over the years, various individuals have attempted to control me or my time with their problems. They were presumptuous in expecting unlimited time from me, and they were offended when it was not given. Actually, I wondered if they really wanted a solution.

These are obviously not "second-mile" situations. Often these individuals have rejected their God-given authorities and find satisfaction in controlling others. It is our responsibility to wisely, lovingly, and firmly redirect them to those who are responsible for them, such as their parents, their spouses, or their pastors.

We must also realize that final decisions regarding the use of our time, energy, and resources should be made in submission to God's will and the authorities He has placed in our lives. We should check with them before trying to go a second mile.

The instruction to do good unto all men is best fulfilled by helping leaders do good to those under their jurisdictions.

For the past 15 years, we as a ministry have experienced unprecedented opportunities to serve large numbers of people in many countries around the world. On many occasions, we have been approached by those who want to promote their personal agendas. In each case, we have asked them to contact the official we are serving, and the leader wisely responded to each situation.

This protection has spared us from untold frustration and fruitless effort. It also fulfills the instruction of Galatians 6:10: “... Do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

When someone asks us for something, we should first determine if we are under their jurisdiction. If so, we should quickly obey and be willing to go the second mile. If not, we should check with our God-given authorities (and wife) so that we are not operating in our own will. A valuable entry in your journal would be to write out situations in which you applied this command and the way that God blessed you or others as a result.