August 2, 2026
Adrian Rogers
Scripture Passage: Matthew 5:38-48In Matthew 5:38-48, Jesus calls His followers beyond the first mile of legalism—doing only what is required—into the second mile of grace, where love rather than obligation governs how we treat those who wrong us.
This 'smile mile' of selfless, Christ-centered living is what brings true mastery over self, genuine charity toward others, and lasting victory in every area of life.
Matthew 5:41-42 says, “And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.”
Drawing on the Roman law that could compel a Jew to carry a soldier’s pack one mile (Matthew 5:41), the first mile is done as a slave, but the second mile, freely chosen, makes a person master of himself.
The first mile is legalism; the second is love. It is turning the other cheek when our dignity is degraded. It is going beyond what is required when an adversary is victorious. It is giving generously to a brother in need. And we must go the second mile in love toward those who misuse and abuse us.
Adrian Rogers says, "You want me to tell you how to get rid of an enemy? Make a friend out of him.”
This decision echoes Paul’s instruction in Romans 12:21, “Overcome evil with good.”
Second-milers are the truly successful people—at work, in school, in marriage, in devotion, and in witness—because Christ Himself went the second mile for us.
Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
The second mile is not a burden but a gift given freely out of love, and it is there—not in the first mile—that Jesus promises mastery, victory, and the smile of a Christ-centered life.
Notice where you default to “the first mile”—doing only what is required—at home, at work, or with someone who has wronged you. Deliberately go the second mile: answer an insult with kindness, give generously to someone in need, or forgive before you’re even asked.
