You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile,] carry it two miles. Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you. In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

1. Who do I know already who doesn’t know/follow Jesus?

2. How can I build/strengthen/deepen these relationships?

3. What is an interest/hobby/activity that I am doing, or would like to do, that would help me to connect with like-minded people?

4. What community celebrations/activities can I consider that will help me connect with people who don’t know Jesus?

5. What time do I have reserved for personal connection with people – family, friends, neighbours, workmates?

6. Where can I create space in my life to enable me to pursue one of these opportunities?

7. What can I do this week to begin to go that extra mile?

THE LAW OF 5s:

5 people – 5 minutes – 5 days – 5 weeks

Choose 5 people you know who don’t know Jesus

Pray for them for 5 minutes a day for 5 days over 5 weeks, asking for God to bless them, provide for them, and reveal himself to them.

You can use the BLESS prayer as a model:

Monday B – Body: health, well-being, protection, strength

Tuesday L – Labour: Work, reward, security, provision

Wednesday E – Emotion: Joy, peace, hope

Thursday S – Social: marriage, family, relationships, friends, support

Friday S – Spiritual: salvation, revelation, faith, grace

References:

His Grace is Sufficient: Love means going the extra mile - Father Michael Chua, http://michaelckw.blogspot.com/2017/02/love-means-going-extra-mile.html

Sermon: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 Where does going the extra mile come from? – John Piper, https://www.innovativetransportsolutions.com/content/where-does-going-extra-mile-come