Stephan Hoffman

God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 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.  Philippians 1:8-11

The church at Philippi lies close to Paul’s heart; we read earlier this week that he holds them in his heart. Paul greatly appreciates this congregation’s attitude toward him and their love they show for both him and the Lord Jesus Christ. We learn something of this intimate relationship when Paul says that he longs for them all with the affection of Christ Jesus (v8).

He also prayed that their love would increase in knowledge and depth of insight. Knowledge and insight are rare qualities in today's world. We don’t often hear these terms alongside the superficial meaning of what the world calls love. Who of us does not need someone who will treat us with understanding and insight? When was the last time you listened to someone with understanding? When last did you express love with insight to those around you?

This understanding and insightfulness, however, also requires us to develop the ability to distinguish the things that really matter from those that don’t. We waste so much precious time and energy on things that are not important and don’t matter. Today, try to discern with insight what really matters and focus on those things. To show love in this way is the "fruit of righteousness" and it can fill your whole life.

May God fill our lives with this knowledge and insight, the fruit of true love and righteousness, so that he will be glorified!

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for the relationship that exists between you and me through Jesus Christ. Thank you that I can understand and experience something of your great love. Help me also to grow in my love towards others. Please give me more knowledge and insight through the power of your Holy Spirit. Please help me to spend the time you give me on what really matters and to live to your glory. Amen