Provoke To Love: Living the New Life

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works Hebrews 10:24

The writer of Hebrews didn't use the phrase - let us encourage one another to love - they used the word provoke. The word "provoke" means to "incite" and when we normally see the word 'provoke' it is more often used to provoke to anger or provoke to jealousy. The use of the word 'provoke' here is a harder push.

Trying to get a sleeping person out of bed faster we might throw some cold water on them. The calling and shaking isn't working so we get more drastic. This is the tone the writer is taking - let us get more drastic and push harder to incite each other to love more and do good works.

Loving more and doing good works is the heart of Christian living. But as indicated in part one of this study "The Tyranny of the Secondary" - we easily lose focus on what matters most and get bogged down with secondary issues. It always amazes me how often we can't see the trees because of the forest. The entire Bible is an instruction manual on how to love God and each other - but that is not what we see. We see a particular doctrine or subject - which is fine - if it's in the Bible then it has a place. But no place should we ever stop being kind and loving and remember that God is a gatherer and not a divider.

Jesus died "Once and for all". His efforts to reach all has a priceless value because He sees all as being priceless. Just because people haven't found a right relationship with God as of yet is irrelevant to us doing right. So in the spirit of provoking all of us to do right - we move forward - out of the forest - keeping two trees in full view. The Tree of Life and The Tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil - Death by Sin

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Romans 5:12

This is familiar ground because we all experience the loss associated with death. We are all familiar with the grief, sorrow and pain that surrounds losing the people we love. All this suffering wasn't part of God's intentions - He gave us paradise and a means to live forever. All the suffering is however a direct result of obeying the voice of the serpent.

What may not be familiar is that death - in and of itself is not the problem and I'll explain later. And may I add that knowledge of good and evil is also not the problem and is actually a sign of maturity according to Heb. 5:14: But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Scripture reveals two very different kinds of death. One is the death that entered through Adam's sin and brings separation from God. The other is the sacrificial death revealed in Christ, through which God brings reconciliation, resurrection, and life. Though both involve dying but they are opposite in origin, purpose, and outcome.

As Romans 5:12 above tells us about "death by sin". Sin is disobedience to God. Disobedience to God results in separation from God. God is the source of life.

...So separation from God is separation from life - which ends in death...

Satan's lie was that even if they disobeyed and ate the forbidden fruit - "they would not die" and actually the opposite they would be "like the gods". So Satan introduced the lie that life, wisdom, and fulfillment could be found apart from obedient fellowship with God without consequence. This introduction changed the world. Satan introduced a path of disobedience that promised life apart from God. Instead of producing wisdom as promised, it produced separation from the Source of Life, and death became the inevitable consequence of that separation.

The Principle of Substitution

From before creation God ordained A singular death - "The Lamb slain." In type His death was already in place so we would not have to die. This death of an innocent so the guilty can be forgiven is a substitutionary principle. For Adam and Eve who were already living in a perfect world as innocents - their continued connection to life was a result of direct fellowship with God maintained by obedience. That obedience kept them in innocence indefinitely. In the New Testament innocence is produced through justification by His blood. Back then obedience was enough to keep them under the blood of "The Lamb slain".

Once disobedience entered - direct fellowship was severed and restoration to that fellowship became a future promise. In the mean time the substitutionary principle becomes the foundation for the sacrificial system throughout the Old Testament. In essence that system said something innocent would die so that the guilty wouldn't have to die. And that system found culmination in Christ Jesus - He being innocent - died so we won't have to die.

Revelation 13:8 tells us that Christ is "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." Long before sin entered the Garden, God already knew the cost of redemption. This tells us that sacrificial love was never an afterthought in the mind of God.

...Creation began with sacrificial love...

And sacrificial love in the form of loving our fellow man - especially when they don't deserve it - continues as God's pattern of fellowship.

God's Pattern for Death - Godly Sorrow Leads to a Godly Death to Self

So God's pattern of sacrificial love - the dying of pride, greed, selfishness, hatred, anger, malice, on and on - becomes a pattern where the dying of ungodly attributes within ourselves keeps us connected to God.

Satan's Disobedience Became Our Disobedience - Leads to Permanent Separation and Death

Satan's pattern of disobedience and self centered ambitions began with himself and he passed that along to humanity when he caused Adam and Eve to become disobedient. Disobedience causes separation. The Separation causes death hence "death by sin".

But before death became the wages of sin - in contrast the Cross already stood in God's eternal purpose as the path of reconciliation. Reconciliation preexisted as an option even before the option was needed.

...Christ established death as the pathway of reconciliation with God...

So what this boils down to - while God established the path to life through a continual reconciliation by obedience to His word. Obedience to His word equals "not my will" equals our self - will dying. So even though we all possess a 'self will' - something that can and does make bad choices. As long as we can repent and choose God's will (this is dying to self) then that is when we are reconciled and life goes on. So this 'dying to self' produces life by keeping us connected to God the source of life. And this is what the "Lamb slain" teaches us and is the conclusion of the cross where dying to self equals finding life through obedience.

Now what Satan did is transform death into a permanent status of separation from God through disobedience. He came along with his own word and promises - "you shall not die" and "you shall be like the gods." While those promises are inviting and desirable - rather than having to deny ourselves and subject our self will - he allows us to indulge in self gratification. The sky is the limit. The problem in choosing a path of disobedience to God and obeying the devil that then connects you to him and his destiny. But he is not life and his destiny is not desirable so the deception of his promises cause us first to lead lives separated from God now - and then a permanent separation later.

Here is the thing while we convince ourselves that indulgence in self will and self gratification is freedom and self determination - we make our own destinies. The reality and fact is that in both paths - you are obeying someone else. You are either obeying God or you are obeying Satan so freedom and self determination are not genuine options.

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? Romans 6:16

I know the idea of being a servant has a negative connotation - but a healthy way of looking at this is thinking of the word 'servant' as - to whom you are 'connected' to. If you are obeying God you are connected to His destiny. If you are obeying Satan or even in your own mind no one or yourself - then you are connected to that destiny. Being neither Satan nor yourself are the Creator and source of life - well let sensibility rule the day and serve the right master.

So when I said death in and of itself is not the problem I said that because death is a tool. As a tool in God's hands He uses godly sorrow and repentance - forms of dying to self - to form and regenerate us. As a tool in Satan's hands he uses death to create fear - and the fear creates every other path away from God. Away from God equals an unregenerate state equals death. As long as Satan continues to use death as a tool of manipulation and fear - death in his hands is an enemy to be dealt with.

The Tree of Life

Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. Revelation 22:14

A Divine Thread

When we read through the Bible it is overwhelming how much is said about death. But with all I've just discussed an entire new light is shed that illuminates a divine thread that has been woven throughout scripture. Obeying a voice as a lifestyle earns the destiny of the one speaking. When we obey - the act of obedience is submission - you are placing yourself under the direction of that voice.

Now if we are hearing God's voice and choosing to obey then that submission is a dying to self - we are not obeying our own inner intuitions, inclinations and not following our own desires. As mentioned before the Cross has been established as a source of guaranteed victory from before the foundation of the world. Paul tapped into that victory and made it his source of jubilation. You can sense how much he made 'dying' the center piece of his life.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

Notice something profound that reinforces what I've been saying - what here Paul was saying was his crucifixion was also his connection to the life of Christ. Again a death that produces life. This is our connection and access to the Tree of Life.

Doing His commandments equals obedience to God - obedience to God equals a dying to self. Doing His commandments grants access to the Tree of Life.

That statement is in and of itself a truth that leads to life - therefore this truth in and of itself is a sustenance - a fruit that leads to life. The divine thread is that dying to self leads to life. Reading the New Testament this is the front most - abundant and replete line of thought. Beginning with Jesus' teachings and throughout - this teaching brings us to the foot of the Cross - The Tree of Life.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. John 12:24

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Romans 8:13

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

This is but a minute fraction of the places scripture talks about dying to self. I'm not glorifying death - I am glorifying obedience to God's voice - the life, the abundance and the priceless gain that can only be attained by obeying God. It is from here at the foot of the Cross - seeing ourselves as needing a savior from ourselves - He is there to become the one who is able to be your savior.

It is from here at the foot of the cross that we can move forward to "build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble". How much value you place on the Cross and your willingness to submit and obey we "gain" reward. Salvation is free but reward is earned by the only currency meaningful to God - loving God demonstrated by obedience and loving one another.

The Fruit of the Tree

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Matthew 26:26-28

Jesus instituted what we know to be called communion. The word "communion" means partneship. The Church and church life is a blood bought partnership between God and us and us with each other. The Church is known as His body and His Bride. So this partnership is really a marriage not just between God and Church but also between all of us members. We are all married to each other if you want to know how God sees it. The above passage is similar in three of the Gospels only being described in several verses. The Apostle John gives the "last supper" a full four chapters from thirteen thru sixteen.

Those chapters dive deeper into "communion" and include Jesus washing the disciples feet:

If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. John 13:14-15

The New Commandment:

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:34-35

The Promise of the Holy Spirit:

If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:15-21,26

The Partnership is described:

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. John 15:8-10

In these four chapters Jesus uses the words commandment and commandments a combined seven times and the words love and loved combined are used twenty five times. Something is on Jesus' mind. The next chapter - chapter seventeen tells us what is on His mind:

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. John 17:21-23

At this point all I could hope is that you are hearing His voice and getting an idea of what this partnership is all about. Jesus said "I go and prepare a place for you". That "place' is more than a location. Your place in the Kingdom also involves your eternal status. Very much of that status is determined by you having the same things on your mind as Jesus has on His mind.

Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: Philippians 2:2-9

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 1 John 3:2-3

When we see Him as He is, we shall be like Him.

That is the goal - the entire purpose of the Bible. God wants a people that will humble themselves and become obedient. Not without reward - in humbling ourselves and becoming obedient we become "Like Him" a "son of God" to be exalted in due season.

The Destination of the Journey

When we step back and look at the whole picture, the message of Scripture becomes beautifully simple.

From the Garden of Eden to the New Jerusalem, God has been calling mankind back to Himself. Every commandment, every sacrifice, every promise, every prophet, every act of mercy, every work of the Spirit, and ultimately the Cross itself serves one great purpose - restoring us to loving fellowship with the One who is the Source of Life.

The Cross is therefore far more than the place where our sins were forgiven. It is God's invitation into a completely new way of living. It teaches us that life is found - not in preserving ourselves - but in giving ourselves. Not in insisting upon our own will - but in joyfully submitting to His. Not in exalting ourselves, but in becoming servants. Every act of obedience, every act of forgiveness, every sacrifice made for another, every victory over pride, anger, selfishness, and fear becomes another small participation in the life of Christ.

This is why the writer of Hebrews urges us to "consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works." He is not asking us merely to become nicer people.

He is calling us to help one another become more like Christ.

The Church is not a collection of individuals pursuing private spirituality. We are members of one Body, joined together in one covenant, sharing one hope, following one Lord, and being prepared together for one eternal Kingdom.

One day faith will become sight.

The invitations will cease.

The work of sanctification will be complete.

The Bride will stand before her Bridegroom.

On that day no one will boast of how much they knew, how many arguments they won, or how many secondary issues they defended. Every crown will be laid at His feet, and every heart will confess the same glorious truth:

"Worthy is the Lamb."

Until that day, let us provoke one another.

To love more.

To forgive more.

To serve more.

To humble ourselves more.

To die to self more.

To become more like Christ.

For in losing ourselves, we find Him.

And in finding Him, we find Life.

...Find Life...