Abounding Love
In Paul’s greetings to the Philippian church, he encourages them with the knowledge that they are in his prayers. Specifically, he prays that their love may grow.
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more
Philippians 1:9a
This is a common theme in all of the Epistles. The Apostles were always very concerned that the congregations of believers were acting in love, and one which was growing. Our God is love and we can only serve him when we act in love. As Paul wrote elsewhere, no matter what actions we take, we do it in vain if not for love.
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
However, it seems like those who hate God have the word “love” on their lips more even than the church lately! It can be an easy mistake to fall into thinking we have common ground on this area, but to do so is disastrous, since it distorts the meaning of this very important word.
Love Not Naivity
The verse I quoted earlier was partial (“part a”) and he’s praying that their love abound in a very particular way.
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
Christian love is not simply warm feelings toward another. It’s not even positive intent toward another person as we see it. Instead, Christian love requires knowledge and discernment. First, we must mature so that we can know the will of God, because what we think is best may cause a great deal of harm to those we are trying to help if we depend upon earthly wisdom.
Beyond that, to love others requires us to have knowledge of the situation. Giving money to someone who hit a major hurdle in their life and just needs a one time boost can be very helpful. Giving money to someone who refuses to work is enabling the sin of sloth, which may be very destructive for them in addition to being bad stewardship of ones own resources. Instead, they probably need exhortation and perhaps help in finding work!
Discernment ties right in to that aspect of things. What can be a blessing for one is a curse for another, and what they “want” may not be what’s best for them. Addicts generally want another hit but what they need is help developing a life free from their addictions and likely accountability so that they’re not bearing it alone.
The modern church has done a great deal of harm both because of our collective immaturity and also because of our unwillingness to practice discernment (because discernment is often treated identically to judgementalism). When we speak of “love” it is often spoken of in terms of giving others what they want and/or affirming what they’re doing. However, our love must come from a place of godly knowledge and discernment so that we can be sure we’re approving only what is excellent.
Only love practiced with a knowledge of what is godly is blameless before God. To approve and support wickedness is not actually at all, though it will likely receive the most approval by those in service to sin.
God Given Righteousness
Verse 11 is filled with the type of language that gets glazed over by many modern Christians, especially within evangelical circles.
filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:11
It is true that the righteousness of a Christian comes only through Christ. In our flesh, there is nothing good. However, many fail to acknowledge that believers are a temple of the Holy Spirit and have the righteousness of God!
This righteousness does not fail to bear fruit. In this case, the fruit comes from practicing knowledge and discernment toward an abounding love for one another. This is not justification by works, but works that proceed from imputed righteousness. Without this righteousness, a person cannot love as described here. Because of this righteousness a person will grow in this type of love.
This is not simply important because of the blessing in the life of the object of this love but, most importantly, this love is done to the glory and praise of God! This can be a helpful tool for discerning the value of someone’s definition of “love”. If the plea is for a love which may make the recipient feel good but would not glorify God, it is likely not actually love but simply an attempt to use the person.
This will mean that sometimes loving a person can make them hate you! For those who do not want the help they need, but rather only the enabling they’re searching for, sometimes all we can do is pray. Still, the prayers of the righteous are significant! In any case, we should always seek to glorify God in how we interact with others rather than simply seeking the approval of men.
