Philippians 1:9-10 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, English Standard Version (ESV)
Our men's Bible study started a new study this week in the book of Philippians. It is a letter written by the Apostle Paul for the church at Philippi while he himself was in prison. After the initial greetings customary to his letters, he begins the letter with a note of thanksgiving and prayers for the church. In it he was stating how much he appreciated them and shared how much joy that they brought to his heart every time he thought of them. Couldn't we all use some of that kind of encouragement, wouldn't we all love to hear such a note or in today's mode of communication and email or text?
Over the years, there have been many men who have come and gone in our men's Bible studies and as we began this study one has just moved and will no longer be present with our group on Monday mornings, this prayer is for him. I also think of the high school students from youth group and Sunday school classes over the years that are now in college and beyond, these verses are a prayer for them too. The verses brought to mind that I should think of the fellow believers that God has brought into my life, but not only think of them, pray for them in a similar way, and when at some point when we meet again, instead of a casual "hi, how are you" it will be to truly find out what the Lord has been doing in their lives, how they have been serving Him.
One of the words in these verses that jumps out at me is the word abound. It is a word that we can think of in raising kids, we hope that they will "abound", continue to grow, not only in height or in education, but as mature believers no matter what profession or ministry they may go into. We would have similar prayers for them. John MacArthur, in his commentary on this writes, "abound is from perisseuo which has the basic idea of overflowing in great abundance. In this verse, the present tense indicates a continual progress. Love is to grow and abound throughout the life of a believer."
This prayer is for you as well, that your love may abound, may overflow more and more as you continue to grow in your faith and share it with others.
So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately…. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of (The Message)
Blessings,
Mike
Philippians 1:9-11The Message (MSG)
9-11 So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.
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