Freedom Calls

As children of the one true God, saved by His sovereign grace and our faith in Jesus Christ, we are called to live a life that honors and glorifies Him.

In Philippians 1:9-11, the Apostle Paul expresses his heartfelt prayer for believers to experience an overflowing love that grows in knowledge and depth of insight.

This prayer is not only a desire for our personal growth but also a means to prepare us for the day of Christ, where we will be held accountable for our actions and choices. In this blog, we will delve into the significance of this prayer, exploring scripture references, and insights from renowned Christian authors and preachers such as Charles Spurgeon, C.S. Lewis, A.W. Tozer, Watchman Nee, and D.L. Moody.

The Significance of Abounding Love:

Paul’s prayer emphasizes the importance of love as the foundation of our relationship with God. In 1 Corinthians 13:13, we read, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (NIV).

Love is the thread that weaves our faith and hope together, enabling us to trust and obey God.

Charles Spurgeon noted, “Love is the silver thread that runs through all the actions of a Christian’s life” (Spurgeon, 1865).

Growing in Knowledge and Depth of Insight:

Paul’s prayer also highlights the need for knowledge and depth of insight to accompany our love. In 2 Peter 3:18, we are encouraged to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (NIV). This growth is not merely intellectual but also spiritual, as we seek to understand God’s character and will. C.S. Lewis aptly remarked, “The more we know of God, the more we will love Him; and the more we love Him, the more we will want to know Him” (Lewis, 1955).

Discerning What is Best:

As we grow in love and knowledge, we are better equipped to discern what is best and make decisions that align with God’s will. In Romans 12:2, Paul urges us to “not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (NIV). A.W. Tozer emphasized the importance of discernment, stating,

“The greatest danger we face is not the evil that surrounds us, but the evil that is within us” (Tozer, 1963).

Filled with the Fruit of Righteousness:

The ultimate goal of Paul’s prayer is that we be filled with the fruit of righteousness, which comes through Jesus Christ.

In Galatians 5:22-23, we read, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (NIV).

Watchman Nee observed, “The fruit of the Spirit is not something we can produce by our own efforts, but it is the natural result of our union with Christ” (Nee, 1968).

As we reflect on Paul’s prayer in Philippians 1:9-11, we are reminded of the importance of cultivating a life of abounding love, growing in knowledge and depth of insight, discerning what is best, and being filled with the fruit of righteousness.

May we, like D.L. Moody, say, “I am not trying to be a good Christian, I am trying to be a good follower of Christ” (Moody, 1899).

May our lives be a testament to the power of God’s love and the transformative work of Jesus Christ.

References:

Lewis, C.S. (1955). The Problem of Pain. Geoffrey Bles.

Moody, D.L. (1899). The Way to God. Fleming H. Revell Company.

Nee, W. (1968). The Normal Christian Life. Tyndale House Publishers.

Spurgeon, C.H. (1865). The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit. Passmore & Alabaster.

Tozer, A.W. (1963). The Knowledge of the Holy. Harper & Row.

Please note that quotes and references provided are subject to slight variations depending on the edition or publication of the original works.