"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, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."
Paul tells the Philippians that his wish for them is love--abounding love--overflowing from their hearts. This is no mere emotion. This is no ignorant love. No, it is tempered by knowledge and discernment. This love requires using our brains. This love requires knowledge of God's Word and application through wisdom. But what is the end of this love? Paul wants us to approve, or choose, that which is excellent. How do we choose the excellent?
Firstly, we recognize that life doesn't always offer us the choice between right and wrong. Sometimes life offers us wrong, right, and more right. Too often this generation soothes its conscience by saying things like, "Well, the Bible doesn't expressly say it's wrong." This type of justification clearly demonstrates an uneasiness of conscience and when we catch ourselves in this thought process we ought to flee sin. We must not satisfy ourselves with this paper thin justification. We must flee the appearance of evil. We must be above board.
Secondly, we go the extra mile. We sacrifice for others. We help others even when it is inconvenient--even when we are forced to go out of our own way. We must strive to serve and love others as Jesus Christ so perfectly demonstrated to us. We must not be satisfied as Christians to mind our p's and q's and let that be the extent of it. We must actively seek to manifest what Paul calls the fruit of righteousness.
Why? Because this is how we glorify God. This is how we bring Him praise and honor. When we strive to be pure and holy He is glorified. He has commanded us not only to do the bare minimum, but to seek the best.
In the language of Revelation 3, God isn't satisfied with lukewarm Christianity. Neither should we!
Paul tells the Philippians that his wish for them is love--abounding love--overflowing from their hearts. This is no mere emotion. This is no ignorant love. No, it is tempered by knowledge and discernment. This love requires using our brains. This love requires knowledge of God's Word and application through wisdom. But what is the end of this love? Paul wants us to approve, or choose, that which is excellent. How do we choose the excellent?
Firstly, we recognize that life doesn't always offer us the choice between right and wrong. Sometimes life offers us wrong, right, and more right. Too often this generation soothes its conscience by saying things like, "Well, the Bible doesn't expressly say it's wrong." This type of justification clearly demonstrates an uneasiness of conscience and when we catch ourselves in this thought process we ought to flee sin. We must not satisfy ourselves with this paper thin justification. We must flee the appearance of evil. We must be above board.
Secondly, we go the extra mile. We sacrifice for others. We help others even when it is inconvenient--even when we are forced to go out of our own way. We must strive to serve and love others as Jesus Christ so perfectly demonstrated to us. We must not be satisfied as Christians to mind our p's and q's and let that be the extent of it. We must actively seek to manifest what Paul calls the fruit of righteousness.
Why? Because this is how we glorify God. This is how we bring Him praise and honor. When we strive to be pure and holy He is glorified. He has commanded us not only to do the bare minimum, but to seek the best.
In the language of Revelation 3, God isn't satisfied with lukewarm Christianity. Neither should we!
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