"And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God." — Philippians 1:9-11
The Lord Jesus said, "Men ought always to pray, and not to faint [Luke 8:1]." But what should we include in our praying? In His pattern prayer, popularly called "The Lord's prayer," (Mt. 6:9-13) the Savior indicated some of the content to be incorporated in prayer: worship of God (v.9-10); petition for our material necessities (v.11); forgiveness for our transgressions (v.12); moral reinforcement (v.13a); affirmation of God's sovereignty (v.13b). A careful study of other prayers, in both testaments, will increase our knowledge with respect to intelligent praying. Our text for today is one such example of Spirit directed prayer, as Paul discloses his concern for the saints at Philippi.
First is a request for the enlargement of their love. His petition suggests his appreciation for the love they have already exhibited, but he is never satisfied with status quo; always in the face of a commendable quality, the apostle longs to see increase "more and more." Whether in ourselves or in our fellow believers, we also should pray for continued growth. This side of heaven we are never finished.
With respect to his prayer for the enlargement of their love, however, it is noteworthy that he is not praying for mere sentimentalism. It is not the feeling love of human affection for which request is made, but what might be called the rational or intelligent love that is characteristic of God. The specific request is for love that increases in "knowledge and in all judgment." That is, for an informed love that finds its parameters in the word of God.
In Heb. 12:6 we are instructed, "for whom the Lord loveth, He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth." And again, in Rev. 3:19, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten… "This is a mature love that can forgive sin, but cannot ignore it. So in the church we need to pray for the manifestation of a love that is not without compassion, but that does not compromise divine principles, nor contradict holiness.
The second aspect of Paul's prayer is that they "may approve things that are excellent." Here the quest is for the development of their discernment to the point where they may recognize, endorse and follow, among the inevitable options in life, the best, as opposed to that which is merely good or acceptable. He seeks the cultivation in them of skill in evaluating spiritual options and endorsing only the noblest. Many professing Christians are willing to settle for "entry level" spirituality. The aim of the apostle's prayer is to see them pursue higher goals. We need that emphasis in the prayer life of the church today.
The third emphasis in this prayer is that they may be "sincere and without offence;" that is, that their love and spiritual discernment may be free from hypocrisy and vanity. There is the potential in all of us for putting on an outward appearance of love and piety that masks a divided heart. While we may fool others (and sometimes even ourselves,) we do not fool God, Who "looks on the heart." This is a petition, not for "sinless perfection,"but for genuineness and integrity.
As important as temporal security and good health may be, these items are not prominent in the prayers recorded in the word of God. Far more important in the life of the believer are these spiritual qualities, both for ourselves and for one another "until the day of Jesus Christ." It is in the cultivation of these, "the fruits of righteousness," wrought in us "by Jesus Christ," that Christ becomes evident in our lives and God is glorified. They should be predominant in our "prayer list" if we are concerned with the things that concern the heart of God. Insofar as such prayers are uttered and by the grace and power of God answered, the church will have a greater impact on the "watching world."
Yours for HIS glory,
"Pastor" Frasier
The Lord Jesus said, "Men ought always to pray, and not to faint [Luke 8:1]." But what should we include in our praying? In His pattern prayer, popularly called "The Lord's prayer," (Mt. 6:9-13) the Savior indicated some of the content to be incorporated in prayer: worship of God (v.9-10); petition for our material necessities (v.11); forgiveness for our transgressions (v.12); moral reinforcement (v.13a); affirmation of God's sovereignty (v.13b). A careful study of other prayers, in both testaments, will increase our knowledge with respect to intelligent praying. Our text for today is one such example of Spirit directed prayer, as Paul discloses his concern for the saints at Philippi.
First is a request for the enlargement of their love. His petition suggests his appreciation for the love they have already exhibited, but he is never satisfied with status quo; always in the face of a commendable quality, the apostle longs to see increase "more and more." Whether in ourselves or in our fellow believers, we also should pray for continued growth. This side of heaven we are never finished.
With respect to his prayer for the enlargement of their love, however, it is noteworthy that he is not praying for mere sentimentalism. It is not the feeling love of human affection for which request is made, but what might be called the rational or intelligent love that is characteristic of God. The specific request is for love that increases in "knowledge and in all judgment." That is, for an informed love that finds its parameters in the word of God.
In Heb. 12:6 we are instructed, "for whom the Lord loveth, He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth." And again, in Rev. 3:19, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten… "This is a mature love that can forgive sin, but cannot ignore it. So in the church we need to pray for the manifestation of a love that is not without compassion, but that does not compromise divine principles, nor contradict holiness.
The second aspect of Paul's prayer is that they "may approve things that are excellent." Here the quest is for the development of their discernment to the point where they may recognize, endorse and follow, among the inevitable options in life, the best, as opposed to that which is merely good or acceptable. He seeks the cultivation in them of skill in evaluating spiritual options and endorsing only the noblest. Many professing Christians are willing to settle for "entry level" spirituality. The aim of the apostle's prayer is to see them pursue higher goals. We need that emphasis in the prayer life of the church today.
The third emphasis in this prayer is that they may be "sincere and without offence;" that is, that their love and spiritual discernment may be free from hypocrisy and vanity. There is the potential in all of us for putting on an outward appearance of love and piety that masks a divided heart. While we may fool others (and sometimes even ourselves,) we do not fool God, Who "looks on the heart." This is a petition, not for "sinless perfection,"but for genuineness and integrity.
As important as temporal security and good health may be, these items are not prominent in the prayers recorded in the word of God. Far more important in the life of the believer are these spiritual qualities, both for ourselves and for one another "until the day of Jesus Christ." It is in the cultivation of these, "the fruits of righteousness," wrought in us "by Jesus Christ," that Christ becomes evident in our lives and God is glorified. They should be predominant in our "prayer list" if we are concerned with the things that concern the heart of God. Insofar as such prayers are uttered and by the grace and power of God answered, the church will have a greater impact on the "watching world."
Yours for HIS glory,
"Pastor" Frasier
No comments:
Post a Comment