Inconvenient Christianity
"And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain." - Matthew 5:41

Many would have followed Jesus, "IF..." Surrendering to Jesus Christ means there are no more if's and but's about it! People today want a convenient Christ, not the Christ who walked to Calvary though already nearly beaten and whipped to death. The second mile Jesus spoke of isn't a crowded road. There won't be many like Simon of Cyrene or Paul the Apostle traveling by your side, but you don't need them in the first place, you need Jesus. You'll see those coming back who tried and are now returning to the life of ease. Perhaps they thought like the Jews in Jesus' day, who hoped for freedom from pain and hardships rather than freedom from sin. Perhaps they expected to be praised, exalted, and remembered for their sacrifices, not realizing that such a life is only our "reasonable service". (Romans 12:1) Nothing will be convenient about following Christ and right now we need to seek an uncompromising heart because the second mile has no ending marker. If someone asks you where you are in your Christian life, you should answer them, "I am on the second mile." You can’t say, "I am at the halfway point or three-fourths." There is no end to the second mile. The Bible never introduces a "Third Mile." And you'll need to be close to your Lord every step of the way because your enemy will be close by too, satan will never turn back from his attacks on you; he'll flee for a time, but will surely return. The criticisms will increase, the burdens to bear will only become heavier, and yet the Lord expects you to rejoice still! "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice." (Philippians 4:4) What did Paul have to rejoice about while in prison for preaching Christ? "Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes...thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned...in perils of robbers, wilderness, sea...in weariness and painfulness...in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness." (2 Corinthians 11:24-27) Would you walk the second mile if those same things were waiting in your path? Wherever the second mile may lead for you, you must lean on Jesus and go! All of the inconveniences must be looked past if we are to seek and serve the Lord! Whether your second mile is enduring physical hardships or striving to forgive and love and turn the other cheek, no matter how inconvenient it may be for you, you must remember that Jesus alone is your ending marker! He alone is your goal and heart's desire and there will be no other way for you to make it! The mockings, stripes, and nails He received were all for you, and He never despised it. Go the second mile for Him now and never look back!