March 13, 2024 -- Philippians 1:9a -- A prayer for transforming love

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more…
Philippians 1:9a ESV

Paul, while he was in prayer, wrote the believers in Philippi. Though he chained to prison guards 24/7 he expresses his concern and his love for the believers who have just sent him a financial gift. A few verses earlier he expressed thanks to God for every remembrance of this people and now he prays that this people will grow in love. It is the love and affection of Christ Jesus that prompts Paul to pray in this way.

It is the love of God that has been demonstrated in Jesus Christ which moves believers to love. Love is the evidence of the Spirit’s work. Think of Galatians, where the first evidence of the fruit of the Spirit is love. To this most basic work of the Spirit then adds joy and peace, patience and kindness, goodness and faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

He prays that the love of these believers, and by the Spirit’s design all subsequent believers who read this letter, will abound. That is, such love will fill up and then overflow through-out the life of believers. Love is truly one of the most defining characteristics of the believer. Jesus told His followers, “If you love Me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:23). It is His prior love for His people which moves and motivates His people to respond to Him in obedient love, as joy-filled servants of Jesus.

Love covers a multitude of sins—so Peter wrote (I Peter 4:8). Think about the man who wrote that. He is famous, or infamously known as the man who denied Jesus three times right after having pledged fealty to Jesus and expressing his willingness to die for Him. What did Jesus do? He loved Peter. He went to the cross, bearing the sin of all the world and being punished in the place of wicked men so that all who believe in Jesus would be declared beloved sons and daughters of God.

Love is one of the great evidences that Jesus has taken hold of the heart of a believer. One who is loved by God through Jesus will be empowered by the Spirit to love deeply, forgivingly, unsparingly.

O GOD, our heavenly Father, who hast set the solitary in families: look in favour, we beseech thee, upon the homes of thy people. Defend them against all evil, and supply all their needs according to the riches of thy grace. Make them sanctuaries of purity and peace, love and joy. Bless all dear to us wheresoever they are, and grant that they and we may follow thee at every step of our daily life, that, though our paths may lead us far from one another, we may all abide within the safe shelter of thy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Home and Loved Ones from DIVINE SERVICE BOOK FOR THE ARMED FORCES, 1950, page 32

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