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Nov 13, 2024 06:00am

Going the Extra Mile

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At work, we have something called the Second Mile Award. Anyone can nominate someone they feel has gone beyond their expected job duties to help the team in a great way. What I notice most is that when someone is recognized for this award, they aren’t expecting the spotlight or asking for attention; they are genuinely humble; you can see they merely wanted to help in the best way possible.

Acts 21:17-26

“When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters received us warmly.
18 The next day, Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present.
19 Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
20 When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law.
21 They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs.
22 What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come,
23, so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow.
24 Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law.
25 As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.”
26 The next day, Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.”

Back in Acts 15, the issue of circumcision had caused a great uproar. Paul had declared that keeping the law didn’t save you. It was by grace alone. The Jewish leaders were furious because that went against all they had known and taught for years. But the Jerusalem council had settled the issue and declared that Gentile believers did not have to be circumcised. But apparently, a rumor had circulated that Paul was even telling Jewish men not to circumcise their children.

It was only a rumor. Paul wasn’t saying that at all. But what could be done about it now? Paul’s main focus was to share the gospel with the Jews to help them see that Jesus was the Messiah and that faith in Him saves you. How could he witness to these men if they believed he was against them?

So, Paul went the second mile. He was willing to do more, follow their traditions, and win them to Christ. By doing so, he wasn’t declaring that these traditions saved him but that he was willing to do them to honor these men and not offend them.

For the sake of the gospel.

Are we willing to go the second mile to share the love of Christ with someone? Think about what that would look like for the people God has called you to reach.

We should consider Paul’s actions as an example.