And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment. – Philippians 1:9
Growing a tropical plant in a non-tropical environment is possible, but it requires specific conditions to achieve the healthy results you want. The same is true for developing a Christlike, loving spirit, in a sin-soaked world. You must attend to what is necessary for Godly affection to flourish in your heart.
As a follower of Christ, you desire to be helpful to those God has put in your path, pointing them faithfully to the Savior you love so dearly. Yet, when you are mocked for your faith or unfairly accused of being self-righteous and judgmental, it is tempting to throw your hands up and stop trying.
The Bible outlines the way love grows. For you to love others well, you have to experience God’s grace firsthand. “With confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that you may receive and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). The longer you spend time in the love of God the more love you will have to give to others. “From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace” (John 1:16). Your ability to exemplify Christ’s love on Earth depends upon how much you receive God’s eternal and holy love for you.
Search for every verse you can find about the connection between love and wisdom. You will discover one will not grow without the other! Pray for the leaders in your church, town, and nation to realize they can only change things in God’s strength. Ask the Lord of all love and wisdom to draw their hearts to Him and instruct them so they may lead others.
Today’s Verse: Philippians 1:9
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Ephesians 4:11-16
11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
