7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God.
What do we write to someone whom we long for? What words do we pen to those for whom we have in our heart but not by our side? What is essential for them to know in light of our great affection towards them and our absence from them? How can we encourage those dear to us who are not near? The apostle Paul here lays it out for us in black and white in his prayer for the Philippian believers whom he longed for. He prays God’s best for them and seriously, what more could one want? The best thing for anyone (whether they realize this or not) is to be in the center of God’s good, pleasing and perfect will – mature and fully assured. Actually, praying this for others demonstrates the spiritual fruit of goodness meaning beneficial. Just as Epaphras prayed for the Colossian believers. His great desire was for them to be mature and perfected in Christ and that was his prayerful concern of which he continually wrestled:
12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. Col 4:12 (NIV)
Paul’s love for the Philippians was not simply a one sided admiration society. Indeed, the Greek allows for the phrase “since I have you in my heart” to read “since you have me in your heart” demonstrating a mutual admiration for one another. It did not matter whether Paul was chained or free, these Philippian believers shared with him in what God was doing through him. How refreshing for Paul to encourage them in such a manner. Some go on the mission field, some support those who go, some fervently pray, some encourage – everyone is to have a part in the spreading of the Good News and it is all orchestrated by the hand of God Who alone can move and direct the hearts of His people for the furtherance of His kingdom and the glory of His great name. Remember, He can use a rock or a donkey or me or you.
“Evangelism is not a human enterprise; it is a divine operation.” Arthur Skevington Wood
Next, Paul assures the Philippians of his regular prayers on their behalf. How wonderful for them to have Paul lifting them up before the throne! He desired for their love towards other believer’s to abound much as a river or a cup overflows. Yet he was not meaning merely a sentimental love rather a love which was filled with knowledge and discernment. Obtaining a genuine spiritual knowledge of God and continuing to go further still as well as having a depth of insight into His ways, enables Christians to love God and others more. Strong passions sans knowledge will not make us complete in the will of God and oftentimes does more harm than good. Zeal without knowledge can get us in trouble fast. On the other hand, when we have love and knowledge we are beneficial to others. Interestingly as well, the more we know Jesus, the more we love Him and the more we love Him the more we desire to serve Him and others. Paul penned in 1 Corinthians God’s wonderful definition of love which demonstrates action in lieu of mere emotional sentiment:
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. 1 Cor 13:4-8 (NIV)
Paul desired for the Philippians to be pure and blameless for their good and God’s glory. When we are really what we appear to be and mean honestly, then we are pure – no wearing of masks nor gross hypocrisy. He calls them to be blameless as well – careful not to give offence to God or their brothers. We do ourselves much harm and others as well by living opposite of what we claim to believe and by going against God’s revealed will. It demonstrates a lack of faith that God loves us cares for us and has our best interest at heart. Our actions show whether we trust Him or not as we flesh out what we believe no matter what our mouth spouts. Lastly, Paul prays for their fruitfulness and usefulness which comes only through Jesus Christ. Useful and fruitful – purposeful and meaningful – loved and cared for – hearts yearn for such as these.
“We should follow Christ in simplicity and faith, because the paths in which He leads us all end in glory and immortality. It is true they may not be smooth paths – they may be covered with sharp flinty trials, but they lead to the ‘city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.’ ‘All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of His covenant.’ Let’s put full trust in our Leader, since we know that, come prosperity or adversity, sickness or health, popularity or contempt, His purpose shall be worked out, and that purpose shall be pure, unmingled good to every heir of mercy...His dear love will make us far more blessed than those who sit at home and warm their hands at the world’s fire.” Charles H. Spurgeon
“Make and keep me pure within.” Charles Wesley