The Maximum Amount

CONSECRATION Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.  Jesus, I belong to you. I lift up my heart to you. I set my mind on you. I fix my eyes on you. I offer my body to you as a living sacrifice. Jesus, we belong to you.  Praying in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, amen.  SCRIPTURE Philippians 1:9–11 NIV And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may 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. CONSIDER THIS Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi begins with an overflowing expression of love and gratitude. He shares his joy in their companionship and his deep appreciation for their partnership in the gospel. As he concludes his greeting, Paul invites them into his prayer for them, our text today. In Pauline fashion, his prayer is one long, theologically dense sentence. Let’s move through the prayer verse by verse, and see how God might want to meet us in His Word today: . . . that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight (v. 9b) What does it mean for love to abound in knowledge and depth of insight? Knowledge refers to the information, study, and facts we acquire through education or experience—both theoretical and practical. Insight, on the other hand, involves intuition and deep understanding that goes beyond the surface. It often reflects a wisdom that is not always public or commonly shared. Together, knowledge and insight represent a combination of study and deep understanding, as well as knowing and practicing truth. Paul is praying that their love would not only grow in quantity but also in quality, shaping the way they live. Eugene Peterson puts it this way in The Message translation: “that your love will flourish and you will not only love much but love well.” Why? so that you may be able to discern what is best . . . (v. 10a) When we face decisions that require discernment, what do we typically ask for? Advice? Wisdom? Prayer? In my own experience, I’ve prayed with people seeking discernment for all kinds of decisions—career, calling, relationships, moving, and so forth. In those times, I’ve always asked for things like clarity, direction, and peace. I can confidently say I have never asked for more love, and I don’t think anyone has ever prayed for more love. Yet here, Paul connects love to our ability to discern what is best. This is a profound insight into discernment: to discern is to be guided by love. Notice, Paul doesn’t say “what is right” but “what is best.” In my own experience around discerning these things, I’m highly motivated by making the right decision—and even more motivated to avoid making the wrong one. But Paul isn’t talking about right or wrong here. There may be multiple right decisions, but a decision made in love is always the best. This isn’t necessarily about a particular choice being objectively better than another, but about the way or posture in which we make that choice. When a decision is made with the maximum amount of love—when love abounds—we can move forward with confidence. . . . and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ. (v. 10b–11a) This prayer doesn’t just impact major life decisions, but our whole way of being in the world. It’s not only about discerning life choices, but about the culmination of what our life produces slowly over time. Paul isn’t asking about what measurable results you have to show for at the end of your life, but what you are like at the end of it. He’s talking about the fruit of the Spirit, which he outlines in his letter to the Galatians: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control” (Gal. 5:22–23 ESV). These are the “fruit of righteousness” that come through a life with Jesus (Phil. 1:11a). Unto what purpose is all of this? . . . to the glory and praise of God (v. 11b) This does not bring glory to you or me, but to God. Our lives, abounding in love and marked by the fruit of the Spirit, point back to Him, magnifying His goodness and bringing praise to His name. RESPONSE PROMPTS Is there anything in your life you need discernment around? Pray for more love. If not you, what about a friend? PRAYER Lord, I pray that our love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that we may be able to discern what is best and may 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. Amen.