When I was younger, my family had a little book on the coffee table by Sam Parker called 212: The Extra Degree. The basic premise of the book went like this,
The main purpose behind the book was to encourage you to make the extra effort - to increase your production or hustle by an extra degree - so you can accomplish more amazing things in your life than you ever thought possible.
I was just thinking about that little book today when the Lord brought a passage of Scripture to mind. In Matthew 5:38-42, Jesus speaks about the retaliation passage from Exodus 21:23-25. He says that it is really about a deeper point, which is that God was setting up a system among his people that people were treated fairly and were protected against exploitation. But, if people would just show love to everyone around them, even if they are trying exploit them, the culture would be totally different! Translation: Love everyone, no matter who they are. Talk about mind-blowing! Fleshing it out, he says,
I truly believe that if every Christian took seriously the command of Jesus to go the extra mile, we would see something happen that would shake the foundations of our culture and leave everyone in awe of the grace of an amazing Savior. Just like it only takes that extra degree of heat to unlock the powerful potential of steam, it might just be that extra mile you go to love the people in your life who are hard to love that will unlock the transforming power of the gospel in your school, work place, or neighborhood.
My challenge to you today is this:
Dare to go the extra degree!
At 211° water is hot. At 212°, it boils. And with boiling water, comes steam. And with steam, you can power a train. The one extra degree makes the difference.
The main purpose behind the book was to encourage you to make the extra effort - to increase your production or hustle by an extra degree - so you can accomplish more amazing things in your life than you ever thought possible.I was just thinking about that little book today when the Lord brought a passage of Scripture to mind. In Matthew 5:38-42, Jesus speaks about the retaliation passage from Exodus 21:23-25. He says that it is really about a deeper point, which is that God was setting up a system among his people that people were treated fairly and were protected against exploitation. But, if people would just show love to everyone around them, even if they are trying exploit them, the culture would be totally different! Translation: Love everyone, no matter who they are. Talk about mind-blowing! Fleshing it out, he says,
But I say to you, 'Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him to miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
I truly believe that if every Christian took seriously the command of Jesus to go the extra mile, we would see something happen that would shake the foundations of our culture and leave everyone in awe of the grace of an amazing Savior. Just like it only takes that extra degree of heat to unlock the powerful potential of steam, it might just be that extra mile you go to love the people in your life who are hard to love that will unlock the transforming power of the gospel in your school, work place, or neighborhood.My challenge to you today is this:
- Ask God to bring someone (or some group of people) to your mind who is really hard to love (even though they desperately need love).
- Gratefully remember how unlovable you were to God when he saved you.
- Ask God to fill you with love for this person (or people).
- Make a plan to show love to them in a tangible and personal way.
Dare to go the extra degree!
