GROW IN LOVE AND KNOWLEDGE AND INSIGHT

PROCLAMATION

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may 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 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written in a letter by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Philippi.  After introducing himself and greeting them, Paul offered a prayer for them knowing that the good work which Christ had begun in them would be completed. (Philippians 1:3-6)  He prayed that they would grow in love and in knowledge and in insight, so that they would know and do what is good and right to the glory and praise of God.

 

APPLICATION

As believers we are to love all of God’s people, even those who are difficult to love.  We should love the person but make it clear that we do not love their behavior.  However, there are some people that we need to love at a distance.  We need to learn how to love with knowledge and discernment because there are some individuals who would take advantage of us.  We need God’s help in deciding what is the best thing, and right thing to do.  If on our own we choose the wrong path, we need to confess that we made a mistake, and then turn around and head in the direction that The Lord God would have us to go.  Additionally, as we deal with people, we need to be sincere and honest.  The truth may offend some people, but we should speak the truth in an effort to be helpful and therefore be blameless. (Philippians 1:10)  We should always speak in such a way as to be helpful and to edify the body of Christ.  In all that we do, it should be done to the glory and praise of God.