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. 

 

MAY YOU 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 offers a prayer for them knowing that the good work which Christ had begun in them would be completed. (Philippians 1:3-6)  He prays that they would grow in love and knowledge and 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.  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 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. 

Do What Is Right Just And Fair

"The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young; let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance; for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.  The fear of The LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."  Proverbs 1:1-7 (NIV)

King Solomon was the wisest man ever (2 Chronicles 1:11-12), and he chose to share his wisdom with the people within the thirty-one proverbs which he wrote. The purpose of the proverbs was to help the people gain wisdom and discipline, to gain understanding and a prudent life. To help them do that which was right, just, and fair as they went about their daily activities and in their dealings with others.

Solomon prayed for wisdom and knowledge so that he could do a good job as king leading God's people. (2 Chronicles 1:10)  He wanted to help the people by giving them some good examples and words of wisdom to live by.  We could learn a lot from Solomon, not only from the proverbs which he wrote, but also from his prayerful concern for others and his purpose for sharing.  His motives had nothing to do with personal gain.  He had a sincere love for others.  We need to pray that we would develop that type of love for others.  Jesus said that we should love others as we love ourselves. (Matthew 22:39, Mark 12:31, and Luke 10:27)  If we love The Lord, then we should love and help His people.  To truly love and live a Godly life, we must do things which benefit someone other than ourselves.  As we treat others, we are doing that to God.  (Matthew 25:40)  We should do that which is right, just, and fair, and that which is a blessing to others.  Solomon was blessed beyond what he asked for because his purpose was to be a blessing to others.  He who blesses others shall himself also be blessed. (Proverbs 11:25)