Philippians 1:4, 9-11
“…always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all,…and this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God”
There are many things we can consider as we meditate on the passage. First, notice that Paul had a joyful attitude. Although he was in difficult circumstances, that did not affect his attitude. In fact, the practice of prayer most likely improved his attitude. I had the privilege of visiting an old prison cell in Rome that was said to be the one in which Paul was held. Even if it wasn’t it was similar. It was dark, cool and damp; candles were used for light. There was a stream in it. As I tried to place myself in Paul’s position I wondered why God had put him there and how I would handle the situation. Perhaps that was God’s way of giving time to Paul to pen many portions of God’s Scripture. It certainly gave him the opportunity to realize the value of his friends and to pray for them.
Paul tells us in v. 9-11 that he prayed specifically three things for those he loved in Philippi. First he prayed that their love would abound in “real knowledge and all discernment”. While God gives us wisdom I think we have the responsibility to obtain knowledge. We do that through the study of the Bible. I think Paul was praying that they would grow deep in God’s Word. That knowledge can lead to discernment if applied correctly. Spiritual knowledge and insight allows us to love God and others more.
Then he prayed that they “may approve things that are excellent, in order to be pure and blameless”. We must be careful not to settle for “good” but strive for excellence, especially in our relationship with God. Being pure and blameless means that we don’t have unconfessed sin in our lives, but are filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 includes the command “be filled with the Spirit”; a clear indication that filling is man’s responsibility. A Christian never needs more of the Spirit; he simply needs to be in right relationship with God in order to be filled.
If we are filled with the Spirit we will experience the fruit of righteousness. Gal. 5:22-23 tells us the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Consider how each of those is manifested in your life.
As we begin this year I encourage you to take account of your prayer life. Do you have a regular time to pray each day? Do you keep a list of those prayer needs? Do you remember to thank God for His faithfulness in responding to you? Prayer can be difficult but it is rewarding.
There are many things we can consider as we meditate on the passage. First, notice that Paul had a joyful attitude. Although he was in difficult circumstances, that did not affect his attitude. In fact, the practice of prayer most likely improved his attitude. I had the privilege of visiting an old prison cell in Rome that was said to be the one in which Paul was held. Even if it wasn’t it was similar. It was dark, cool and damp; candles were used for light. There was a stream in it. As I tried to place myself in Paul’s position I wondered why God had put him there and how I would handle the situation. Perhaps that was God’s way of giving time to Paul to pen many portions of God’s Scripture. It certainly gave him the opportunity to realize the value of his friends and to pray for them.
Paul tells us in v. 9-11 that he prayed specifically three things for those he loved in Philippi. First he prayed that their love would abound in “real knowledge and all discernment”. While God gives us wisdom I think we have the responsibility to obtain knowledge. We do that through the study of the Bible. I think Paul was praying that they would grow deep in God’s Word. That knowledge can lead to discernment if applied correctly. Spiritual knowledge and insight allows us to love God and others more.
Then he prayed that they “may approve things that are excellent, in order to be pure and blameless”. We must be careful not to settle for “good” but strive for excellence, especially in our relationship with God. Being pure and blameless means that we don’t have unconfessed sin in our lives, but are filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 includes the command “be filled with the Spirit”; a clear indication that filling is man’s responsibility. A Christian never needs more of the Spirit; he simply needs to be in right relationship with God in order to be filled.
If we are filled with the Spirit we will experience the fruit of righteousness. Gal. 5:22-23 tells us the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Consider how each of those is manifested in your life.
As we begin this year I encourage you to take account of your prayer life. Do you have a regular time to pray each day? Do you keep a list of those prayer needs? Do you remember to thank God for His faithfulness in responding to you? Prayer can be difficult but it is rewarding.
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