May 5- Philippians 1:9-11

THE VERSE

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve of what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
~Philippians 1:9-11

THE THOUGHT

Here, Paul prays something very specific for the Philippians. He commends their love, and prays that they would love more and more. But not just any kind of love; no, God is after a very specific kind of love in their hearts and ours. Paul prays for a love that would abound “with knowledge and all discernment.” What does it mean for our love to abound with knowledge and discernment?

It means that we as Christians should have a smart love. A love abounding with knowledge knows why it loves: we love because He first loved us. A love abounding with knowledge is first and foremost a love grounded in and centered on the cross. It never stops loving, because it knows that God’s love for us is unchanging. And a love abounding with knowledge looks like the cross: it is a love that “gives itself up” for another, that loves until it hurts, and then keeps on loving.

A love abounding with discernment then sharpens the lavishness of the love abounding with knowledge. A love abounding with discernment sees sin for what it really is: an affront to God and a slow suicide for the sinner. A love abounding with discernment doesn’t sweep sin under the rug, for that wouldn’t really be loving, would it? Rather, it covers a multitude of sins by extending mercy and encouragement and admonition to the brother or sister who is struggling with sin.

THE PRAYER

Jesus, Give me a love like Your own, a love abounding with knowledge and discernment, so that I can more faithfully represent You to those around me. Center me on the cross until my heart looks more like Yours, and give me the courage and love to help my struggling brothers and sisters overcome sin in their lives and walk in victory.

EXTENDED READING

1 John 3:16-18
1 John 4:7-11
1 Peter 4:7-10
Ephesians 4:32-5:2

THE QUOTE

"A Godward life is a life lived for the sake of seeing and savoring and showing God in all things." ~John Piper



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