Abounding in Love

One page of my Prayer Journal simply had the prayer of Paul in Philippians 1:9-11.  Years ago, I memorized it in the NIV and that tends to stick with me as I come to this passage.  I absolutely love praying through this prayer for my life and the life of my children and the lives of the members of FBC-PC.

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes though Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”

Paul says a lot about love in his letters, but especially in his prayers.  In Ephesians 3 he wants us to know just how wide and long and high and deep the love of Christ is.  He also asks that we would be rooted and grounded in love.  Maybe you are different from me, but I know I have such a long way to go toward loving God and loving people. What a great place to start this morning, “Lord, help my love abound more and more…”

But notice what Paul says, “in knowledge and depth of insight.”  Biblical love involves the heart and emotions, but it also involves the head and our thoughts.  Our theology must be driven by our love for God and our love for people.  “Knowledge and depth of insight.”  Father, help me know you more so that I can love you more.  God loved us so He gave…we must love and show that love in the way we live.  Our love isn’t a blind love…depth of insight keeps love within the pages of God’s Word.

Why do we want to grow in love like this?  “So that you may be able to discern what is best and be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.”  Not just an abounding love, but an approved life!  Go beyond what is expected…go above the earthly examples…live for the day of Christ!  The word “pure” literally means to be without wax.  Sculptors in Paul’s day would often cut the marble too deeply…instead of starting again they’d fill the gap with wax.  You couldn’t see the fault unless you got it into the sunlight.  We can fool ourselves, we can fool others, but we will be brought into the light of God’s judgment, and every flaw will show…live to be pure and blameless in the power of the Holy Spirit.

I love how Paul ends the prayer, “filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”  He always comes back to this idea—the idea of being filled!  Ask God to fill you until you overflow with Jesus’ righteousness.  Overflowing with the fruit of the Spirit!