Title: New creation
The Bible is a book of distinctions; it distinguishes believers from those who are perishing.
The Scriptures reveal that Christians are different: they are different from the rest of mankind, and they are different from what they were before.
The gap is a great gulf fixed, but many believers are not living up to expectations and are turning out to be more worldly than the world itself.
In the great struggle between good and evil, darkness is getting the upperhand because what has been made clean is eager and willing to get back and wallow in the mud puddle.
Title: Go with him two miles
Roman law required one.
The Lord Jesus encouraged an additional mile.
The Jews had to walk a total of four miles coming back to the place of origin.
This is when the Jew refused to take even one step in the service of the oppressor.
Christianity requires sacrifice of the noblest nature. As an act of obedience in the Spirit, we divest ourselves of all self-interest in order to witness to the love of God which surpasses all understanding.
Title: Who does not take his cross
How many are willing to take their religion to the place of execution? How many are even aware that Christianity involves self-denial, and even exposure to death?
A true disciple is given the privilege of going the same way with the Lord, of carrying his own cross to the place of sacrifice, thereby drawing praise from the Savior who had carried a heavier load on his shoulders.