“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.’”

MATTHEW 5:38-41

PONDER THIS
As a Christian, you are to go the second mile when your dignity is degraded. That’s what people did to the Lord Jesus Christ. They spat in the face of Jesus, and they slapped Him with open hands. But Jesus did not slap back. He simply turned the other cheek. When your dignity is degraded, when somebody insults you with an open hand, a vile word, or whatever else, turn the other cheek. Go the second mile. We can do this because we have everything we need in Him.

Don’t just do the minimum. Do more than is required. We show God’s mercy by turning the other cheek or by going beyond that which is required of us in a court of law. We live as ambassadors of His grace by helping those to whom we owe nothing. There’s the law mile and the legal mile, and there’s the love mile and the extra mile. This is what Jesus has called us to pursue.

When have you seen someone turn the other cheek for the sake of Christ?
Where do you need to turn the other cheek in a conflict you are facing right now?
PRACTICE THIS
Ask God for the grace to go the second mile with those you are in conflict with this week.