Abound In Love
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ… Philippians 1:9-10
One specific insight that blesses our heart deeply from this apostolic prayer is that Paul wrote it while he was in prison. Though physically bound by imprisonment, his heart was never bound – it was liberated in the love of Christ. Even in the midst of his suffering and trials, he kept his perspective focused on truth, and later in this letter encouraged others to focus on whatever is good, true, and pure. (Philippians 4:8) From that godly perspective, Paul penned the prayer above.
Originally, God created mankind in his image, and God is love. He made people to be love, but they became selfish through sin and deception in the garden. Through Christ, God made the way to restore people to his image and wants all of his children to be transformed to become love again. Paul prays the believers in Philippi would abound more and more in love, which is their true identity and purpose in Christ. Essentially, he is praying for them to grow and become more of who God created them to be.
Paul also prays their knowledge and discernment would increase along with their love. As they fully develop in knowledge, and grow deeper in insight, they will be walking more in the mind of Christ, which will empower them in every situation to know how to approve and prize what is of real value. Living in this way is pure, blameless and truly pleasing to God.
As we all continually grow in love, knowledge and discernment, we live with an ever-increasing sincere heart posture that is ready and confident for the day of Christ. As believers live in this way, they reflect Christ to others and don’t cause them to stumble. Rather, they call them higher, to also be pure, blameless and shining like lights.
This prayer should stir us all on to live in a place of intimacy with the Lord where our hearts desire is for ourselves and others to abound in love to the fullest measure. We encourage you to take these insights into your personal prayer life and continually seek God for growth in these areas.