There is a lot packed into our verses this week, and it all points to living a life that is glorifying to God.
"And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in all knowledge and in all judgment;..."
The first thing that I notice in this verse is the way Paul is praying for the Philippian believers. He is not simply praying that they be blessed, but he goes deeper into his requests for them, first of all that they would have abundant love, and knowledge and judgment. These things ultimately come from the Lord, and that is why we must pray and seek them from the Source. The only love that we can have abundantly is Christ's love, and He fills us with it so that we can share it with others.
"...that ye may approve things that are excellent..."
The Greek word for "approve" here is dokimazo and it literally means "to test, examine, prove, scrutinize." When we have God's love, knowledge, and judgment, we are able to accurately test things, ideas, actions, and philosophies to see if they truly are "excellent" by God's standard. Those are the only things that we should want and allow into our lives as believers.
"...that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ,..."
When our lives are filled with only those things that God has helped us discern to be excellent, then we are living a sincere Christian life. And when Christ comes back, we will be able to say that we strove to live a life without offense to Him. Living a life abundant in love and filled with excellent things will lead to fruits of righteousness. Living that kind of life starts now, and it cannot be lived by our own strength, but through Christ's strength.
"...unto the glory and praise of God."
Finally, this kind of daily life brings glory and praise to God, which should be the ultimate goal for every believer.
This week, pray this prayer for your life and for the believers you know. Seek to live your life for the glory of God through sincere faith and the strength of Christ.
God bless,
Mission
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