Philippians 1 v 9-11
Christian prayer has at heart the praise and glory of God.
Paul is concerned about four things regarding the spiritual well-being of the Philippians:
- That their love may abound and increase – growing more and more (2 Pet 1:5-8).
Our love must grow in knowledge and all discernment. Love that is blind to truth and knowledge is not love (James 1:5). - That they may approve the things that are excellent.
It means to try, test, demonstrate and accept that which God approves – His perfect will (Rom 12:2).
It means to approve it to ourselves and other people.
Love is the First, the Finest and the Final thing (1 Cor. 13). - That they may be pure and blameless.
Love is to purge us from things inside us that hurt other people.
This is to continue until the Day of Christ. - That they be filled with fruit of righteousness.
This fruit is only possible by the Lord Jesus Christ – not through moralism. It’s letting His light shine in this dark world – good works (1 Pet 2:12).
We must pray that our love abound more and more to the praise and the glory of God.