Transformational Praying: Philippians 1:9-11
“9) And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 19) so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; 11) having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11
Paul now records the specifics of what he was praying for the believers in Philippi. This should be added to his prayers as recorded in Ephesians 1:15-23; 3:14-21 and Colossians 1:9-15. These four prayers color in the goal of discipleship and what godly maturity looks like.
He started by praying for agape love to continue abounding more and more in real knowledge and all discernment. This love is the base line for godly discernment and knowledge. (See also Ephesians 3:17-19) Agape love is tied to the very character of God.
But notice that this love produces discernment, holiness and godliness in Christians. The word “sincere” in verse 10 means “without wax.” It was borrowed from a term describing the highest quality of furniture with no flaws or gouges filled with wax or putty.
God does not want patchwork in our lives. He does not want us to ignore or cover sin, compromise and past wounds with a facade. His love brings healing and true holiness into our lives.
The word “blameless” amplifies this deep and transforming work of God. The idea is a clear conscious with no cause of stumbling.
Christians are to be pure and not like the Pharisees who outwardly were filled with false pretense but inwardly sinful and wicked. They were whitewashed tombs. They were painted over and not genuine. They were fakes!
Paul prayed that they might be filled with the fruit of righteousness. This is the standard for agape love. It always produced purity, holiness and righteousness. It doesn’t twist love to condone sin and wickedness in self and other people. It doesn’t become an excuse, ticket or guise for sinful living.
Much of what is promoted as Christian love today is nothing short of secular tolerance. It results in a distorted gospel that promotes the notion that God loves and accepts everyone and any moral value system. The end logic says; “Because God is love we can live as we please!”
They forget that God is both light and love. (See 1 John 1:5-7 and 1 John 5:7-19) Agape love is absolutely pure and holy.
So why is this important to this context of Philippians 1:9-11? Because Paul was praying that they would have discernment in what they approved as good, godly and acceptable moral behavior.
He concluded by saying that their moral value system had to live up to the standard of bringing glory and praise to God. (See Vs 11)
But it’s one thing to have a godly moral value system; it’s another to consistently live within it! That’s the power of the gospel and the indwelling Holy Spirit. He changes people from the inside out. That change was the thrust of Paul’s prayer for them. He wanted them to be real, genuine and holy.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“9) And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 19) so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; 11) having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11
Paul now records the specifics of what he was praying for the believers in Philippi. This should be added to his prayers as recorded in Ephesians 1:15-23; 3:14-21 and Colossians 1:9-15. These four prayers color in the goal of discipleship and what godly maturity looks like.
He started by praying for agape love to continue abounding more and more in real knowledge and all discernment. This love is the base line for godly discernment and knowledge. (See also Ephesians 3:17-19) Agape love is tied to the very character of God.
But notice that this love produces discernment, holiness and godliness in Christians. The word “sincere” in verse 10 means “without wax.” It was borrowed from a term describing the highest quality of furniture with no flaws or gouges filled with wax or putty.
God does not want patchwork in our lives. He does not want us to ignore or cover sin, compromise and past wounds with a facade. His love brings healing and true holiness into our lives.
The word “blameless” amplifies this deep and transforming work of God. The idea is a clear conscious with no cause of stumbling.
Christians are to be pure and not like the Pharisees who outwardly were filled with false pretense but inwardly sinful and wicked. They were whitewashed tombs. They were painted over and not genuine. They were fakes!
Paul prayed that they might be filled with the fruit of righteousness. This is the standard for agape love. It always produced purity, holiness and righteousness. It doesn’t twist love to condone sin and wickedness in self and other people. It doesn’t become an excuse, ticket or guise for sinful living.
Much of what is promoted as Christian love today is nothing short of secular tolerance. It results in a distorted gospel that promotes the notion that God loves and accepts everyone and any moral value system. The end logic says; “Because God is love we can live as we please!”
They forget that God is both light and love. (See 1 John 1:5-7 and 1 John 5:7-19) Agape love is absolutely pure and holy.
So why is this important to this context of Philippians 1:9-11? Because Paul was praying that they would have discernment in what they approved as good, godly and acceptable moral behavior.
He concluded by saying that their moral value system had to live up to the standard of bringing glory and praise to God. (See Vs 11)
But it’s one thing to have a godly moral value system; it’s another to consistently live within it! That’s the power of the gospel and the indwelling Holy Spirit. He changes people from the inside out. That change was the thrust of Paul’s prayer for them. He wanted them to be real, genuine and holy.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
