Praying God's Word: Prayers of Paul (Part 2)Намуна

PRAY FOR ABUNDANT LOVE AND GOOD FRUIT

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.

The Philippians had a lot of love, and they showed it to Paul. Yet Paul didn’t hesitate to pray their love would abound still more and more. It doesn’t matter how much love for others we have; we can still have more!

Yet, the love Paul wanted to abound in the Philippians was not “blind love.” It was love in knowledge and all discernment; it was love that could approve the things that are excellent.

Paul knew the danger of an undiscerning love. He rebuked the Corinthian church that seemed to glory in their “love” and “openness” which lacked any sense of knowledge and discernment (1 Corinthians 5:1-7).

When we approve and receive the things that are excellent, we become sincere (speaking of inner righteousness) and without offense (speaking of outer righteousness that can be seen). Till the day of Christ means that these things become increasingly evident in our life until Jesus comes.

Being sincere is important, but alone it is not enough. Notorious sinners in the days of Jesus such as tax collectors were sincere, yet they still needed to repent. As well, being without offense before others is important but alone it is not enough. The Pharisees of Jesus’ day were without offense in the opinion of many. We want God to make us both sincere and without offense.

The work of becoming sincere and without offense is really God’s work within us. It happens as we are filled with the fruits of righteousness.

Bearing fruit is always the result of abiding in Jesus (John 15:4-6). As we abide in Him, we receive the life and nutrients we need to naturally bear fruit to the glory and praise of God.

Prompt: Pray Philippians 1:9-11. Pray today that God will fill you with His wise and discerning love, to be sincere and without offense.

Based on the Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik.