Philippians 1:9-11 "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment,so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."
One of the greatest characteristics a Christian can allow God to produce in them is love. Christ's assessment of the law of God being boiled down to the two most important consisted really of one vital characteristic; love. One cannot have a life modeled after Jesus without it. One cannot expect to engage God without it. One cannot have make a difference in others without it.
We, however, too often make love about what we see in the movies; all sentiment, gushing emotion, and reckless abandon. Paul does not see the kind of love that represents the nature of God in Christ this way. Rather, he prays for the Philippians to have love that is full of knowledge and discernment. A love that distinguishes between righteous and unrighteous fruit.
Paul's prayer offers a "circle of life" perspective. As we are filled with insightful love, we are able to distinguish between righteous and unrighteous fruit. Then we can allow God to prune away the unrighteous leaving room for growth in insightful love which in turn produces more righteous fruit. The love of God is a love that requires action. "If you love me you will obey me." But, by loving God, the Holy Spirit produce the fruit that allows us to obey Him. He never asks us to obey without giving us the power to do so!
Love, in God's economy, is abandon; just not reckless. It is sentiment; just not sentiment only. It is gushing; just not without thought.
Father, let us grow more and more in love that is insightful and produces righteous fruit!
Philippians 1:7-8 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
One word jumps off the page to me as I read this passage; confirm. We often make it our business to "defend the gospel" as Paul puts it. But, what about confirming the gospel? Is that our obligation as Christians? I feel we should look at it from two directions: 1. We are obligated to confirm the message Jesus left with us. It is not enough to preach it, it needs to be validated as well. 2. As we live the life God has called us to, we will validate the gospel. How do we do this?
1. Confirming that Jesus is the Son of God as we see miracles and power in our lives through prayer to Him and prayer for others.
2. Confirming that Jesus died for this world by living a life that represents righteousness. This can only be done with the help of the holy Spirit as none of us are nor ever will be perfect! the Fruit of the Spirit gives life to our desire to confirm Jesus death.
3. Confirming that Jesus rose from the grave by living for the hope of heaven and its treasure and not the temptation of earth and her treasure.
Confirming Jesus gospel means living what we believe. True belief is shown in actions that align with our thoughts. The fruit of the Spirit is the gospel confirmed in our lives. Let us not simply defend the gospel but confirm it also by our lives lived for him.
