One of my favorite books of the New Testament is The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians. It is filled with so many encouraging and faith-building passages. One verse I found that I would like to share with you today is Philippians 1:9-11:

“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.”

There are five great principles that Paul was praying for His flock to receive in these three short verses:

  1. That your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment. This is a prayer that as you get to know the Lord and understand His will for your life, that your love for Him will grow and fill you to overflowing.
  2. That you may approve the things that are excellent. As you grow in your faith and love for the Lord, He will give you wisdom to make right decisions and help you know how to please Him in everything you do.
  3. That you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ. In Spanish, the word sincere means “without wax”. When a pottery vessel was fired in a kiln and a crack or flaw appeared, the crevice could be filled with wax and then painted to make it appear perfect. But a vessel that was flawless after going through the fire was much more valuable. It was marked as a “sincere” vessel–one with no wax-filled imperfections. The Lord is working to make each of us perfect and without blemish. Sometimes we have to go through fiery trials to temper our resolve, but when He is finished with us, we will be the most valuable vessels of honor, fit for His most noble purposes.
  4. That you may be filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ. As the Holy Spirit works in you to make you perfect, He will develop fruits in your life that will exhibit your righteousness to the world. These include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22) This prayer is that you will be filled with all the best fruits that delight your and God’s heart.
  5. To the glory and praise of God. Finally, as the Lord develops love and wisdom and perfection and fruits of righteousness in your heart, your entire life will become a praise to God. He will receive the proper glory not only from you, but from those whom your life and light touch as well.

“For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men…Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.” (1 Peter 2:15-17)

Be a light! Live for the Lord! Laugh for joy! Love well! For you are loved by God.