Brotherly Relationship
To truly follow Christ, we must be willing to serve others at the cost of our own convenience and comfort, and to love our enemies with kindness and compassion.
F.B. Meyer emphasizes the significance of brotherly relationships, illustrating how true character is revealed when we are called to go the second mile, a metaphor for going beyond what is required in serving others. He highlights that love should extend not only to neighbors but also to enemies, reflecting God's unconditional love as seen in nature. Meyer encourages believers to seek divine assistance in learning to love, reminding them that with God's help, they can embody the spirit of Christ in their actions.
Text
Matthew 5:38-48
In mentioning the second mile, our Lord refers to a well-known Eastern custom of forwarding messages by relays of forced labor. We leave our homes on a given morning, anticipating no evil. Suddenly and unexpectedly there are sounds of horses’ hoofs and a great demand is thrust upon us. We are sent off in a direction we never contemplated and are compelled to go one mile. It is the second that tests character; and your actions with respect to it will determine whether you have entered into the spirit of Christ and are willing to serve others for love’s sake and at cost of peril and inconvenience to yourself.
Love to one’s neighbor appears in many passages in the Old Testament. See Exodus 23:4-5.
But we have to love enemies and resemble God’s sun and rain, Matthew 5:45. You say that it is impossible! Remember those sweet old words: “I taught Ephraim to go,†Hosea 11:1-4. Ask your Heavenly Father to teach you to love. Remember Galatians 5:22. Dare to believe that He will perfect what concerneth you.
Sermon Outline
- The Second Mile
- Love to One's Neighbor
- Love to Enemies
- The Power of Love
- Can be taught by God
- Requires faith and trust
- Will perfect what concerns us
Key Quotes
“We are sent off in a direction we never contemplated and are compelled to go one mile. It is the second that tests character;” — F.B. Meyer
“You say that it is impossible! Remember those sweet old words: “I taught Ephraim to go,†Hosea 11:1-4.” — F.B. Meyer
“Dare to believe that He will perfect what concerneth you.” — F.B. Meyer
Application Points
- We must be willing to serve others at the cost of our own convenience and comfort.
- We can learn to love our enemies by treating them with kindness and compassion.
- We must trust in God and ask Him to teach us to love, and have faith that He will perfect what concerns us.