Unlimited Mercy

Today’s scripture:

But I say to you, love your enemies…For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?...Therefore, you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:44-48)

I’ve said it before and the more I study God’s word and His will, the more I am convinced that mercy is the core of God’s heart! Just like today’s scripture says that you will be perfect as the Father is perfect. What an incredible statement! I believe that it is impossible to love our enemies out of our own strength. Anyone of us can love others who love us back, but it takes the perfect love that comes from Jesus to love those who want to harm us. ““My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” …For when I am weak, then I am strong.”(2Corinthians 12:9-10) See, it is “agape love” that makes us perfect.

Today we are looking into the ninth topic on the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus is teaching, which is “Unlimited Service or Extra Mile”. In Matthew 5:41, Jesus says “And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.” In this context of these verses, Jesus is talking about people who want to harm you, or take something from you or treat you unjustly. He says to treat them with love. The word “compel” in v.41 is to force someone to do something or to be pressed into service. I believe, just like a lot of these topics, this topic of “Unlimited Service” needs an attitude of humility and meekness.

Meekness is not an attribute of a coward or someone who gets walked on. Strong’s Bible dictionary says Biblical meekness is not weakness but rather refers to exercising God's strength under His control – i.e. demonstrating power without undue harshness. Doesn’t that describe today’s scripture?

I know when we think in the ways of rules and laws, we kind of take on an attitude that says, “how much can I get away with” or “how close can I come to the line and still be ok”. Well, is that really taking on the HEART of Christ? Believe it or not, if that is your attitude, that is not a servant’s heart, rather it is a heart with a selfish attitude! You are still looking out for yourself and what you can gain even if you are technically not doing anything to break any rules or laws. See, that is an attitude of a Pharisee’s heart, always trying to live by the law but with no love.

We as servants of Christ, need to get rid of the attitude of this being law. We need to follow God’s commands and live according to His will, but our humanism only allows us to love as deep as those who will love us back. If we want to love deeper than that, we need to take on the will of God and practice Matthew 5:44-48 & 11:29.

Reflection:

If someone forces you or impresses upon you to go a mile, you need to first humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God and submit to His will, and just obey and go that mile with him and then do something extra! Not to obey those who want to harm you but obey God’s Word which says to love your enemies.

Challenge:

What circumstances have you faced lately that would be impossible for you to love out of your own strength? Have you taken the attitude of humility suppressing your anger or bitterness and instead, letting the Lord love them through you by just obeying?

-Doug McGowan