June 11, 2009 Praiseworthy Love
Today’s Bible Reading: Song of Solomon 5–8; Philippians 1
Scripture Focus:
Philippians 1:9–11 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Observation:
Love is the major characteristic of a Christian. John 13:35 says, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Here Paul is praying that the Philippians’ love will abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment. I don’t usually put knowledge and discernment together with the concept of love, but here’s why Paul says it’s necessary:
It helps you approve the things that are excellent
It helps you be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ
It causes you to be filled with the fruits of righteousness
A love like this glorifies and praises God.
Application:
I don’t think I’ve even begun to plumb the depths of love. My love is often superficial. Paul is talking about a deep love that is well thought through and offered from a discerning heart. I would like the fruit of this kind of love. I would like to approve the things that are excellent. (Why waste time on anything less than the best?) I would like to be sincere and without offense. I would like to be filled with the fruits of righteousness. And I would like God to be glorified and praised because of my love.
Prayer:
Father God, only you can give me a heart that exudes this kind of love for others. I pray you’ll give me knowledge and discernment so I will have a love that truly honors you.
