Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, IS NOT PROVOKED, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails… (1 Corinthians 13:4-8, NKJV).
Provocation
The root word translated "provoked" means to sharpen, as with a blade, to keep it ready for use, so that it cuts easily and handily.
Oh man, do I know people like that, always looking and eager to slice and dice the opposition at the slightest perceived offense.
Most drunks are easily provoked, as are those who are insecure, or not being worshipped sufficiently, or those who feel a deep, abiding hatred for someone or something. Frustrated entitlement is also a catalyst that sets off those sharp, bristly individuals, who at bottom are really nothing more than spoiled brats who have never grown up, or been told no enough times to understand what it means.
Agape love looks provocation in the eye and says you have no power over me. I choose not to take offense, not because of weakness, but because of strength, and because my rights are NOT more important than your well-being.
It is so EASY to be provoked and act on it today in our modern info-saturated society. We have venting networks all around us, available for spewing our venom into cyber space at the speed of light. And we can remain safely anonymous or at least safely far enough away from our targets that prudence, restraint and better judgment are three common casualties.
But that is not the agape way. Those who claim Christ as Lord and Savior are to behave differently. Radically differently. Paul says it this way in another place: "And we labor, working with our own hands. Being REVILED, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;" (1 Corinthians 4:12, NKJV).
And Peter confirms this, pointing to Christ:
"For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 'Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth'; who, when He was REVILED, did NOT REVILE in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;" (1 Peter 2:21-23, NKJV).
If anyone could have reacted effectively to provocation, replying in kind, it was Jesus, who had all power and wisdom. But instead, through Isaiah, He prophesied "I gave My back to those who struck Me, And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting." (Isaiah 50:6, NKJV).
In fact, Isaiah goes on to predict about Jesus, "Just as many were astonished at you, So His visage was marred more than any man, And His form more than the sons of men;" (Isaiah 52:14, NKJV).
God does not just command us how to be, but sent His Son to show us how to be, and gives us His Spirit to empower us how to be.
Living life as He did, loving as He did, changes everything.
Try it.
Provocation
The root word translated "provoked" means to sharpen, as with a blade, to keep it ready for use, so that it cuts easily and handily.
Oh man, do I know people like that, always looking and eager to slice and dice the opposition at the slightest perceived offense.
Most drunks are easily provoked, as are those who are insecure, or not being worshipped sufficiently, or those who feel a deep, abiding hatred for someone or something. Frustrated entitlement is also a catalyst that sets off those sharp, bristly individuals, who at bottom are really nothing more than spoiled brats who have never grown up, or been told no enough times to understand what it means.
Agape love looks provocation in the eye and says you have no power over me. I choose not to take offense, not because of weakness, but because of strength, and because my rights are NOT more important than your well-being.
It is so EASY to be provoked and act on it today in our modern info-saturated society. We have venting networks all around us, available for spewing our venom into cyber space at the speed of light. And we can remain safely anonymous or at least safely far enough away from our targets that prudence, restraint and better judgment are three common casualties.
But that is not the agape way. Those who claim Christ as Lord and Savior are to behave differently. Radically differently. Paul says it this way in another place: "And we labor, working with our own hands. Being REVILED, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;" (1 Corinthians 4:12, NKJV).
And Peter confirms this, pointing to Christ:
"For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 'Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth'; who, when He was REVILED, did NOT REVILE in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;" (1 Peter 2:21-23, NKJV).
If anyone could have reacted effectively to provocation, replying in kind, it was Jesus, who had all power and wisdom. But instead, through Isaiah, He prophesied "I gave My back to those who struck Me, And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting." (Isaiah 50:6, NKJV).
In fact, Isaiah goes on to predict about Jesus, "Just as many were astonished at you, So His visage was marred more than any man, And His form more than the sons of men;" (Isaiah 52:14, NKJV).
God does not just command us how to be, but sent His Son to show us how to be, and gives us His Spirit to empower us how to be.
Living life as He did, loving as He did, changes everything.
Try it.
