Discerning Love

“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” - Philippians 1:9-11

When you pray for others what do you ask for? We can learn a vital lesson from Paul in this passage in Philippians. We see his heart as he prays for the Philippians. Paul doesn’t want these people he loves to just be safe or comfortable, he prays for deep life changing heart issues that only come from a God who graciously gives good gifts to His children.

It is key to remember that it is not our love channeled through Christ, but Christ’s love channeled through us. Jesus Christ is the source of love, we need to ask for abounding and discerning love. The heart and mind need to work together so that we have discerning love and loving discernment. Christian love is not blind or ignorant.

This life is hard, it is difficult to love people at times. When we love without discerning love it can ultimately lead back to selfishness which really isn’t love at all. When we love without discerning love we often times get used, walked over, and ultimately think we are being loving but only putting a band aid on a deep wound. This can lead to bitterness, unforgiveness, and not feeling loved in return. We have to love with the end in mind.

My prayer today for you is that your love may abound, that you would have discerning love, mature character, and mature service.

Further Reading: Philippians 1, 1 Corinthians 13