I remember a time God called me to lead a ministry in my church, and I was slow to obey. I was afraid, intimidated, and paralyzed by perfectionism. One Sunday a church member made a well-meaning comment that upset me. It also shook me to get up and get going. I knew what God was calling me to do, but it took the body of Christ stirring me up and walking beside me to get it done.
Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us watch out for one another to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.”
As the body of Christ, we’re supposed to stir each other up to love and good works. I love that Paul actually uses the word “provoke.” Being provoked isn’t the same as being gently encouraged or patted on the back, although there is time for that. It’s also not the same as a rebuke.
Provoking is prickly: It doesn’t exactly hurt but it’s like a shock to your sleeping senses. It’s a strong wake up call to action. It’s a sharpening. And coming from a fellow brother and sister in Christ, you can trust it.
Provoking is necessary: Sometimes you need a gentle nudge from the body of Christ; Sometimes you need a swift kick to get moving. Your gifts are necessary, and when you don’t use them, you get bitter and your church suffers.
Provoking is done in love: It’s not godly provoking if someone is just being critical or trying to wound you. Godly provoking involves someone (usually many people) who love you deeply and want to see you honor God with your gifts. Proverbs 27:6 says “The wounds of a friend are trustworthy, but the kisses of an enemy are excessive.” I can tell it’s the body of Christ when the person stirring me to action is also loving and serving the body wholeheartedly.
Provoking is done TO love: We aren’t just supposed to provoke each other to good works but also to love. I believe we need provocation to love because we grow tired and complacent. It’s so easy to slip into mediocrity, complaining, and finding everyone else’s faults except our own, that we need the church to stir us up to love the lost world and each other. This kind of love then naturally leads to good works.
Here are 6 signs the church might be provoking you to love and good works:
- A need in the church is being unmet and you seem to be the only one who notices it.
- You’ve grown complacent in your love for the church.
- You have too much idle time and lack a full, meaningful ministry within your local body.
- The body of Christ keeps calling out a particular skill set or gift that you’re not fully using.
- If you left, the church wouldn’t really notice because you don’t love or serve.
- You feel unworthy: You think someone else is more qualified all the while the need goes unmet.
What is your church provoking you to do? Jump in and get started. When someone provokes you to love and good works, it might sting for a second, but it’s always worth it. We need each other in the body of Christ. He has laid down good works for us to walk in. When we’re all working together in unity, it’s a picture of Jesus and the lost world takes notice. Let’s stir each other to action to the glory of Christ because the day of His return is drawing near.
