Provocative Christianity

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

I love the word "provoke" in this verse. It's akin to the words "antagonize" and "instigate." We're to provoke each other...considerately! I love the irony in that. But it's a good, strong, descriptive verb telling us how we're to be. We're not just supposed to be saying, "Hey, you should love each other and do right." We're to be pushing and prodding each other. We ought to be making it practically impossible for each other NOT to love and do good! Combine this verse with the next, and you've got a whole different picture of the church than we might be used to. We're supposed to gather with other believers, sure. But worship is not mentioned! The picture of the local church here is more of a pep rally for Christians. Look at the verbs: consider, provoke, exhort. I wonder if we're doing this to any extent in our Christian lives. Sadly, I think we've lost this, and as a result, lost our love and goodness. Be a provocative Christian!