I wonder if we’re governed too often, or too much, by the fear that if you give an inch they’ll take a mile. Or, if we’re too prone to think about just doing our part and letting others do their part. Or, if we’re overly wired to think about meeting others halfway rather than walking the extra mile. Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe sometimes it’s appropriate. But maybe there’s other scenarios in which we just need to be prepared to do more and more.

Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. . . .

Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more . . .

(1Thessalonians 4:1, 9-10 ESV)

They were already walking in a manner pleasing to God. They were doing their part. But Paul exhorts them do so more and more.

They were loving one another well, just as they had been taught by God. But Paul urges them do this more and more.

More and more. Wondering if that isn’t a kingdom principle worth noodling on.

You’ve given the inch? Offer up the mile. Doing your part? Do some of their’s as well. Gone halfway? Great! Go all the way.

More and more. To a greater degree. To a deeper depth. To a broader range. From a more willing place.

No matter how far we’ve come, there’s farther to go. No matter how much we think we’ve mastered, there’s more to get our arms around. No matter how well we think we’re doing, there’s more to live into.

Not that we “more and more” so we look good, feel good, or can boast in our good. But we “more and more” because it’s what Jesus wants and will compel us to abide in Him more and more. To confess our inability to go there and thus know afresh that we need Him more and more. To know His power more and more. To desire that He’d live through us more and more. To know the sweetness of the cross more and more as we falter and trip up in efforts to live for Him more and more and love for Him more and more.

I think there may be something in us which, at some point, just wants to settle into a status quo. Some point where we want to say to ourselves, “I’ve done enough. I’ve gone far enough. I’m good enough.” But I’m wondering if Jesus isn’t prodding us to follow Him more and more so that we’ll know that He’s enough.

Something worth chewing on I think. More and more.

By His grace. For His glory.