Provoke to Love

Galatians 5:19-26
[19] Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these ; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, [20] Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, [21] Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. [24] And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. [25] If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. [26] Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Colossians 3:21
[21] Fathers, provoke not your children to anger , lest they be discouraged.

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

Proverbs 10:12
[12] Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

Song of Songs 4:7
[7] Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee.

TheHolyBookEnds said:

Now, "love" in the Bible is not an emotion, or feeling, it is JEHOVAH Elohiym:

1 John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

Click to expand...

Since God is love. Since God is not an emotion. God is fruit. God is works. This is clearly demonstrated in the creation. This is clearly seen in: God sent HIS only begotten Son. Our love that demonstrates God is also not an emotion but fruit. Our love is also not an emotion but “works” of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Ephesians 5:9-14
[9] (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth [10] Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. [11] And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them . [12] For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. [13] But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. [14] Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

Proverbs 12:13-14
[13] The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. [14] A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.

Matthew 15:10-11
[10] And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: [11] Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

Matthew 7:20-21
[20] Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. [21] Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

John 6:30-34
[30] They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? [31] Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. [32] Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. [33] For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. [34] Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.

John 10:37-38
[37] If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. [38] But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

John 14:10
[10] Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

TheHolyBookEnds said:

Thus, since "God is love", He always hates sin, and since God loves us so much that He gave His only-begotton Son:

Leviticus 19:17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.

Leviticus 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
He does this, since all sin (1 John 3:4), is consumed in His presence, He rebukes us, in love, correcting us, and delivering us from sin, that we might stand in His loving presence and not be consumed. That we might see His face and live and not die.

Click to expand...

“He rebukes us, in love, correcting us, and delivering us from sin, that we might stand in His loving presence and not be consumed. That we might see His face and live and not die.”

Well said! Beautiful and again: the works of God are LOVE in action, the correction of the Father upon a child. Here is the question: what will remain through God’s consuming fire? Will this temporal flesh or meat that has been crucified and is dead remain? Paul spoke as if dragging around a corpse he couldn’t wait to get off his back and from taunting of the old ways of Saul. Is that what God corrects the dead man that has already been judged and condemned to death? Or does God Judge the new heart (mind)He has giventhe a child of God? Where the fruit of love runs freely with living water? We are told the former things are forgotten and are passed away. If I focus every day on sins of the flesh, I am looking back on the former things and what happens is ... I am focused on my sin, my goodness or lack of, and not on love.

“...that we might stand in His loving presence and not be consumed. That we might see His face and live and not die.“

What will stand in His loving presence and not be consumed? What might see His face and live and not die?

Is it not the works of LOVE?

TheHolyBookEnds said:

Therefore, He polishes, through loving re-buff, the faces/characters of His precious gem stones, that are close and dear to His heart, that our faces/characters may shine and fully reflect the Light of His glory, as Moses, as Christ's and others.

Click to expand...

Was Moses sinless?

TheHolyBookEnds said:

Notice that "love" is a consuming fire:

Deuteronomy 4:24 For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.

Deuteronomy 9:3 Understand therefore this day, that the LORD thy God is he which goeth over before thee; as a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face: so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the LORD hath said unto thee.

Hebrews 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.

Click to expand...

Joel 2:3
[3] A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.

Ezekiel 36:33-36
[33] Thus saith the Lord God ; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded. [34] And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by. [35] And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited. [36] Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the Lord build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I the Lord have spoken it , and I will do it .

@TheHolyBookEnds
Last post. I did read your response to me in the other thread regarding Isaiah 13:8 "their faces shall be as flames" . I'm trying to digest it all and read the bible references you provided with the text. You mentioned the Leviathan in Job. I wanted to ask there but didn't want to disrupt your thread. Does God not use the Leviathan (that crooked serpent, the dragon) for the good of those that love God and are called for His purpose? The Lord speaking of the Leviathan in the book of Job and can not be ignored as unimportant: Job 41:4-6
[4] Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever? [5] Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens? [6] Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants?
Job 41:14-15
[14] Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about. [15] His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal.

Job 41:18-22
[18] By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. [19] Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out. [20] Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron. [21] His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth. [22] In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is turned into joy before him.

Job 41:25
[25] When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves.

Job 41:31
[31] He maketh the deep to boil like a pot: he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment.


Psalm 104:25-30
[25] So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. [26] There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein. [27] These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season. [28] That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good. [29] Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. [30] Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.

Isaiah 27:1-6
[1] In that day the Lord with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea. [2] In that day sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine. [3] I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day. [4] Fury is not in me: who would set the briers and thorns against me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together. [5] Or let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me. [6] He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.

"I would go through them, I would burn them together."
"...take hold of my strength, ...make peace with me..."
"Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit." (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, and righteousness and truth proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. (Ephesians 5: 9-10) It is a mighty work of LOVE God has worked upon the earth.

VictoryinJesus said:

Galatians 5:19-26
[19] Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these ; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, [20] Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, [21] Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. [24] And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. [25] If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. [26] Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Colossians 3:21
[21] Fathers, provoke not your children to anger , lest they be discouraged.

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

Proverbs 10:12
[12] Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

Song of Songs 4:7
[7] Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee.

Click to expand...

Revisiting an old thread...maybe it seems as if I'm suggesting we can love enough to change the world. or that we can be good enough to fix what is broken; one piece at a time. I don't believe that at all. Everyone hates someone. (Not all but enough) Blacks hate the whites. Whites hate the blacks. some hate religion. Religion hates some. Some men hate women. Some Women hate men. I'm sure there is more. It is all a matter of perspective. God only has One perspective. Do I believe man can love enough to fix it? No. Only God can fix what is broken and His word says He will(has). only God's Spirit can do what is impossible for man. We (the body) are called to provoke one another to love. Or that seems to be what the word says. That We are called, (IMO) to provoke each other to the all-consuming Fire. What Fire? we say it all the time: the baptism of Fire(Spirit) poured out on all flesh. We are told to not quench the Fire of God or to grieve it. We are instructed to not draw back into prediction from the all-consuming Fire of God but instead step into it willingly, because we know God is good. His word says men will not come to the light for fear that their deeds will be made known. We want to be in the brightness of His light that uncovers and brings into the light what is hidden in darkness. Consider the burning bush in the OT. Consider the turning wheels on fire and the man clothed in linen who goes in between the wheels and is handed a flaming coal from between the cherubim's. To be scattered over the city. (Ezekiel 10:2)(Ezekiel 1:13). Consider the prophet whom the burning coal was placed on his tongue. The word says that Jesus Christ is the one with the fan in His hand and that He will fully purge the floor of his barn. wood. chaff. stubble. it all burns away. We want this 'burning' that at His appearing (manifestation of the sons of God) we may be as He is. We want to fully submit to the all-consuming Fire(the work of the Spirit) that devours and burns the chaff and stubble and wood. where others may draw back...we put faith in who is faithful: the Son of God. Consider the verse that tells us to feed our enemy and to give him drink and in doing so we heap hot coals on his head. We want hot coals on their head. Heap God's wrath (devouring Fire) on his head to consume the wood. (Proverbs 25: 22) says "For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee." Consider now the three men in the fiery furnace and forth the Son of God. The fire is what freed them. In the OT God sent down fire and they cried for him to stop calling it wicked that the flesh was being consumed. We look for a Father, not a judge. those not willing to come to the light look for a fearful judge.

Hebrews 10:24-39
[24] And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: [25] Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is ; but exhorting one another : and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. [26] For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, [27] But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. [28] He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: [29] Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? [30] For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. [31] It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. [32] But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; [33] Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. [34] For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. [35] Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. [36] For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. [37] For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. [38] Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. [39] But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Don't draw back from God; the all-consuming Fire (Spirit). Do not quench love. (Song of Songs 8:5-7).

'devour' may not be a preferred word when speaking of God. I think of man or the devil as in 'devour'. But (Hebrews 10: 27) says: But looking for a certain fearful looking for of judgement and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. (Romans 13:4) : a minster of God to you for good...but if you do that which is evil...be afraid. He bears the sword not in vain…..for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. --but perfect love casts out torment(wrath and fiery indignation)...he who fears has not been made perfect in love(waiting for a Father instead of a fearful judge.)