Love changes everything. Therefore, let's continue considering some aspects of God’s agape love for us and the way we can reflect this love to others.
A first mark of agape love is its self-giving character. The second mark is it goes the second mile. Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5 verse 41:
“And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.” (NKJV)
Someone in certain circumstances in that culture could have the right to force you to go one mile. He could require it of you. But he could not require more than one mile. So, I call the first mile 'duty'. The second mile is love – agape love. It goes beyond anything that duty requires.
But I think it’s very important that we all see both in the natural and in the spiritual, we cannot go the second mile until we’ve gone the first. So agape is not sloppy sentimentality. It’s not just saying, "I love you. I want to help you. I’ll pray for you." But it’s fulfilling our duty. It’s doing everything that duty demands first and then going beyond that.
I’ve met so many people that spoke about love, but didn’t fulfil their duty. That’s not agape love. Agape love pays its bills and then it gives beyond that. It’s faithful in small things and then goes beyond.
For reflection and prayer
Am I willing to go the first mile in church,in friendships and work… and then the second mile as well?
