Philippians 1:9-11 – And this I pray, that your love may overflow still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may discover the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ; 11 having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, for the glory and praise of God.
“And this I pray” The Apostle Paul cries out to God on the behalf not only of the saints in his day, but also for us, just as Jesus prayed for the His disciples, but also for us. The Apostle Paul loved us because He had the love of God in Him. So he prayed for us as Jesus did. (John 17:20)
“that your love may overflow still more and more.” Jesus taught us that love is the most important commandment of all. He taught that we are to firstly know who the Triune God is and that we are to love Him with everything that we are. (Mark 12:29-30) Then the second greatest commandment, greater than all but the first greatest, is to love one another as we love ourselves. (Mark 12:31) We can’t truly love God until we learn of Him, until we know Him, until we learn how He has loved us. And though the depth of these are too deep for us to know fully, we can begin, we can learn and grow. We will learn and grow, as we truly are thankful and as we know Him, as we know His Word, then we grow in His love. (1 John 2:5) As we grow in His love, we grow in wisdom and knowledge and increasingly become more like Him. It all starts by receiving His love, letting it change us to our very soul, and letting His love fill us and overflow from us to others. (2 Corinthians 5:17) In this way, the will of God is fulfilled and the love of God can change every soul in which it is received in gratitude.
“more and more in real knowledge.” Love overflows into us and creates real knowledge. Not a pseudo love that comes from the world, but true love that flows from God to us and from us unto the world. As the love floods into us and changes us we can have “real” knowledge. The same love of God that flows from the throne of God to give us grace is the love of God that gives us “real” knowledge. Real knowledge that draws us to God and to His love. As His love changes us it gives us real knowledge that changes how we think. No longer receiving insight of from the world but of Godly insight that comes from His love. His love changes us and teaches us.
“and all discernment.” The knowledge, based in His love and to us and His Word given to all of us, we see what is right and what is wrong.” And we discern ungodly from Godly. We receive the Truth and truth divides right from wrong. Not only by the Word, but also by urgings from the Holy Spirit who is our teacher. (John 14:26) We can discern right and wrong as the Spirit guides us. We gain knowledge from the Holy Spirit who lives within. He reveals the Word to us and gives us insight into the dividing of the heart and soul and of spirits humbled to God and proud spirits. With this insight given through by the Holy Spirit right and wrong are discerned so the Truth becomes clear and clouding lies are swept away. Cling to the truth that those who do not love the Lord cannot have. (1 Corinthians 2:14-16)
“so that you may discover the things that are excellent.” A child gets a crush and thinks that all the qualities of love are something they now know. They don’t know that they only have inklings of love. When the child matures and finds true love, committed love, it begins to know love in increasing measure. Love is walked out over a lifetime and is thereby understood and treasured all the more. An innocent crush is sweet, but the more excellent beauty is a lifetime committed love. As we grow in the love of the Lord we understand what God has given us and appreciate the grander love that He gives.
“that you may be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ.” How is the heart judged to be sincere and blameless? It is by loving the Son of God and how is the the love of God shown to be true but by obeying Him. The one who loves the Son loves the Father because the gift of the Son comes to us from the Father, and the Son Himself. We must love Jesus and our obedience to Him is proof of our love of Him and living in His love gives us wisdom and knowledge for this world and for eternity.
“having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ.” Galatians 5:22-23 states “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” No-one has the fruit of the Spirit but he who submits to and obeys Jesus. As one grows in the love of the Father through Jesus then the fruits of the old man fall from the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit replaces the fruit of the world. How to produce fruit of the Spirit is simply to love and submit to Jesus.
“for the glory and praise of God.” The wisest man who ever lived, not named Jesus, was King Solomon. (1 Kings 3:12) He wrote the book of Ecclesiastes and at the end of this book he states in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 “The conclusion, when everything has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. 14 For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.” At the end of everything we must respect and honor God. We do that by acknowledging that He alone is God and that He is good and that He loves us. We acknowledge that Jesus, the Son of God who came to save us at the Father’s direction, is our only way to eternal peace with God. So we respect our God. Ultimately we all know that one day we will stand before Jesus to be judged to receive the rewards or punishments for all we have done. And only one question will determine all. Have we loved and obeyed Jesus. If we have, then we receive eternal peace with God and for those who have not, then an eternity in the Lake of Fire is our eternal residence. The glory and praise of God is not the punishment that some choose for their own lives. The glory and praise of God is all those whom received eternal life through Jesus. Peace with us is what God wants. Live in the love of God through Jesus. That is the glory and praise of God who has redeemed us. Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will Hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, Oh man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 – The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.