Do Not Provoke
Originally scheduled for June 20
The Scripture admonishes fathers not to provoke their
children. I wonder if
this includes teaching them not to provoke others.
The American automobile gives us a fine set of examples of
how to provoke others:
·
One
of the all time favorites:
watch as the car approaches, wait until there is just barely
room for it to stop, then pull right out in front of them.
·
Another favorite is the fellow who doesn’t know his right from his
left. That’s why he
makes his right turn from the left hand lane.
·
Another real favorite:
the elderly gentleman who stops to read a sign.
A freeway sign.
In the number one lane of the freeway.
Now you have a good working definition of the word “provoke.”
Fathers are told that they are not to provoke their children.
The main reason for this is so that they will not become
discouraged (Colossians 3:21).
Often enough for a father there is a choice between
satisfying your anger and teaching your children the right thing to
do. There should be no
doubt what to do, fathers.
Your task is to bring them up in the Lord’s way.
(Ephesians 6:4).
Our Father in heaven has much the same choice.
Does he want us to feel his wrath, or learn his ways?
Communion leaves us in no doubt about this:
·
He
tells us to do this “in remembrance.”
In short, this is a form of training and instruction for the
Christian.
·
The
focus is not on his wrath but Christ’s sacrifice.
Our sins are a given, but the Cross is what the instruction
is about.
The test of a teacher is this:
does he produce students to pass an exam, or disciples who
will follow his ways for life?
Our heavenly Father makes it clear.
The Lord’s Supper is training for the live of forgiveness –
trained by being forgiven.
