“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, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11 (ESV).
Over the next couple posts, we’ll be exploring this entire prayer! Today, we’ll start by looking at the beginning. Anytime the apostle Paul references specific aspects of his walk or prayer life, my feet come to a halt. “And it is my prayer…” These words signal an example is forthcoming. We’ve talked before about the importance the apostles placed on the examples they set for the church of their time- the same examples we are also called to imitate today!
Here, we get a glimpse into the prayer life of the apostle Paul. The faith of the people was of upmost concern for him- he wanted to see believers living according to the will of God. This prayer in Philippians is particularly interesting, as it begins with something Jesus referenced himself – love.
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:12 (ESV).
Let’s go back a few verses! The world often takes these words of Jesus and makes them the beginning and the end of the story. But the truth is that there is a depth to this kind of love that goes beyond worldly wisdom.
For context, Jesus spoke these words after he had given them the picture of the vine and the branches. He boldly and lovingly declared that he was the true vine, and they were the branches. Then he went even further and declared that they could bare no fruit apart from him (John 15:5).
“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.” John 15:8-9 (ESV).
It is an amazing chapter in its entirety! We’re only focusing on this aspect of the text- but a read through from beginning to end is powerfully moving. We see Jesus walk the disciples through these concepts. It is only a few verses after explaining the love he has for them (and telling them to abide in his love) that we find the command to love one another. Our love and kindness doesn’t stem from our own reservoir of human emotion- the love that believers show to each other and the world stems directly from abiding in Christ. Christian love is a fruit that grows in a believers life when he or she abides in Jesus!
Earlier in his ministry, Jesus drew the connection for his listeners between the love of God that is reflected in the character of His children and worldly love.
“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.” Luke 6:32 (ESV).
He went on to speak about doing good to those who do good in return and lending to those who could pay it back- why would such actions be to someone’s credit? Is that the kind of love and compassion that reflects the parentage of a child of God? No. Instead he flipped the whole worldly script on its head!
“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.” Luke 6:35 (ESV).
This kind of love reflects who we are in Christ because it is the same kind of love that we have received through Jesus. By abiding in his love, we’re able to turn around and pour that same love into those around us- regardless of the response we get in return.
We can be the soft answer in the face of hurtful remarks.
We can continue to show love, even if others despise it or view it as weakness.
Why would you give without expectation? Why would you pray for someone who hates you? Because, at one time I was an enemy of God. In his great mercy, he loved me- even in such a lost state. This is the story of every believer, the story of someone who is lost, becoming a son or a daughter of God. Is that not reason enough to love freely?
I love the example of the apostle Paul because he followed in the footsteps of my Lord. In loving those who hate us, we have a perfect example from the source- God himself! When the apostle writes that he is praying that their love may “abound more and more” he is pointing to the kind of love that pours out from a heart that abides in Christ. We are not the source of this abundant love- and this is such great news! In our effort to follow after the will of God in this area, we can come to the Father and ask for his help. It is his work in our hearts through our abiding in Christ that accomplishes the fruits of righteousness. We can take comfort when we pray for the grace to operate in abundant love, because it is in accordance with his will for us in Christ.
My prayer for myself and all reading this today is that we walk in love- the kind of love that reflects the heart of our father.
