Philippians 1:9-11
Philippians is often referred to as The Epistle of Joy. Fourteen times in this letter, Paul uses the word joy or rejoice. Paul had a very close relationship with the church in Philippi.
One of the main overarching themes in Philippians is being in Christ. Those who are in Christ are filled with the fruit of righteousness.
Philippians 1:9-11 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. First, Paul prayed that the Philippians love may abound more and more. Second, he prayed that knowledge and all discernment would accompany their love.
Third, he prayed that they may approve what is excellent. Fourth, he prayed that they would be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. Fifth, he prayed that they would be filled with the fruit of righteousness.
Sixth, Paul reminded the Philippians that the fruit of righteousness comes through Jesus Christ. Paul finishes up his prayer report by telling the Philippians he prays that all these things will happen to the glory and praise of God.
Paul tells the Philippians he prays that your love may abound more and more.
1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
Why is Paul s prayer for an abundance of love? Philippians 2:2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
1 John 4:8-11 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.
10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. God created us and saved us, because of His great love for us.
Genuine godly love always manifests itself in action. 1 John 3:18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
Philippians 2:3-4 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
True love is a love of action; it s putting others before yourself, serving them, and working to meet their needs. A love of action is also a love of the mind. Philippians 2:2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
When we have the right thoughts (or right mind), we ll have the right behavior.
Colossians 3:12-15 12 Put on then, as God s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
Philippians 1:9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, We can t know how to love others, if we don t know what God s Word says about loving them.
Philippians 1:10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, To approve what is excellent means to have the ability to recognize the essential elements of life in Christ.
The more we grow in biblical love for one another, the more our self-satisfying attitude will be transformed into the mind of Christ.
When we have the kind of love, knowledge, and discernment that Paul describes in this passage, we ll be growing toward becoming pure and blameless for the day of Christ.
Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
In verse 6, Paul states that God will complete the good work that He started in the lives of the Philippian believers. In the passage we are looking at today, he tells them that their growth in love, knowledge, and discernment will result in them becoming pure and blameless for the day of Christ.
1 Timothy 4:7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; Godly training (or spiritual disciplines) prepare us for the return of Christ.
Philippians 1:10-11 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Galatians 5:22-23 22 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.
The starting point of being filled with the fruit of righteousness is to love others like Christ loved us. Being in Christ, or having the mind of Christ, is manifested by completely sacrificing ourselves on behalf of others.
Philippians 1:11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
In three short verses, Paul gives us some very specific things for us to strive for in our lives. He also gives a very solid prayer guide.