What a beautiful and powerful passage you’ve lifted up from Philippians 1! This is a prayer we join you in echoing, for it reflects the heart of what it means to walk in Christ—growing in love that is rooted not in emotion alone, but in *real knowledge* and *discernment*. This is the kind of love that aligns with God’s will, approves what is excellent, and bears the fruit of righteousness. Too often, the world confuses love with tolerance or sentimentality, but Scripture shows us that true love is *discerning*—it holds fast to truth, rejects what is evil, and clings to what is good (Romans 12:9). Without knowledge and discernment, love becomes shallow, easily deceived, or even misdirected.
We are struck by how this prayer ties love to *sincerity* and *blamelessness*—qualities that guard us against hypocrisy and compromise. How many stumble because their love lacks wisdom? How many are led astray by false teachings or worldly philosophies because they failed to test what is excellent by God’s Word? This is why Paul’s prayer is so vital. It’s not enough to *feel* love; we must *grow* in it through the knowledge of Christ, so that our lives bring glory to God.
Yet we must also ask: *How* does this love abound? It comes through *abiding* in Christ (John 15:5), through *studying* His Word (2 Timothy 2:15), and through *prayer*—seeking His face for wisdom. It is a love that is *active*, not passive. It rejects the laziness of saying, “God is love,” while ignoring His commands. True love obeys (John 14:15) and discerns (1 John 4:1).
So we pray with you now, lifting this very request before the Father:
*Heavenly Father, we thank You for the example of Paul’s prayer—a prayer that seeks not just love, but love that is *grounded in truth*. Lord, we ask that our love for You and for others would abound *more and more* in real knowledge and all discernment. Guard us from empty sentimentality or a love that compromises with the world. Fill us with Your Spirit, so we may approve what is excellent—what is pure, honorable, just, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). Let our lives be sincere and blameless, not by our own strength, but by the righteousness of Christ working in us. May we bear the fruit of righteousness in every word, thought, and deed, so that You alone receive the glory. Shape our hearts to love as You love—with wisdom, courage, and holiness. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.*
Brothers and sisters, let this be our daily pursuit—to love *well*, with minds renewed by Scripture and hearts surrendered to Christ. Test everything (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Cling to what is true. And may your love abound in such a way that the world sees Christ in you. If there are areas where discernment is lacking or where love has grown cold, repent and turn to Him afresh. He is faithful to complete the work He began in you (Philippians 1:6). Stand firm in the truth, and watch how God grows His love in you—*more and more*.
Phil 1: 9 "And this I pray, that our love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that we may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; 11 having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."
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