ABOUNDING IN LOVE

Liberia: Please join me this evening (November 15) at Rosedale Baptist Church, at 6:30 pm to view a video on Liberia and then to spend some time in prayer for Liberia. I will be leaving on this teaching trip with TLI <http://trainingleadersinternational.org/> in three weeks. I am started to feel the pressure. My passport, hopefully with a Liberian visa stamped into it, arrived in Welland today and I will pick it up on Thursday. Thank you for praying.

Philippians 1.9-11 says, "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."ESV 
Paul is praying for the saints in Philippi. He prays that their love will abound more and more. Because of the grace and mercy of God, and the love of God to them (1 John 4.19), these Philippian believers love God and love people. Love should be evident in our lives if we are truly born-again, and love is a fruit of the Spirit we should diligently and consciously nurture. Love for God and for others fulfills the Law of God and is the highest motivation for worship and service.
Paul wants their love to abound in knowledge. The Greek word used here means correct and precise knowledge. Christian love is not based on sentimental feelings but truth and doctrine from the Word of God. As Peter commands, "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ".
Paul also wants their love to abound in discernment. Christian love is morally perceptive, understands right from wrong. Hebrews 5.14 teaches us that this kind of discernment is a sign of Christian maturity.

The result of love abounding in knowledge and discernment is the approval of what God calls excellent. Love abounding in knowledge and discernment results in purity and a blameless life before a Holy God in the day of Christ. Love abounding in knowledge and discernment enhances the fruit of righteousness that comes from Jesus Christ. And above all love abounding in knowledge and discernment brings praise and glory to God.
God has called his saints to the life-long pursuit of abounding love by seeking the knowledge of God and His will, and discerning right from wrong by the Holy Spirit as knowledge is applied to circumstances. The harvest of abounding love is what we were created for in this life and in the next. Can I hear a passionate and enthusiastic Amen?