And this I pray: that your love may abound yet more and more and extend to its fullest development in knowledge and all keen insight [that your love may display itself in greater depth of acquaintance and more comprehensive discernment], 10 So that you may surely learn to sense what is vital, and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value [recognizing the highest and the best, and distinguishing the moral differences].
Philippians 1:9-10a AMPC
There’s a difference between a seed and a full-grown, mature plant. One carries the potential of fruit, and the other is producing fruit.
Romans 5:5 tells us that the love of God has been poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. It’s in there like a seed, but it hasn’t reached its fullest development. Paul spent a lot of time in these two verses telling us what the full development of the love of God does in our lives.
As it grows, we develop in knowledge and insight into the things of God. We develop in love, and it is displayed through our words and actions. Don’t we all need a little more development?
As we progress, we learn to sense what is vital, or life-giving, as opposed to the things that take us farther away from life. What we value changes. We learn to prize what is truly valuable (the things of the Spirit) instead of just what we see all around us in the natural realm, which was our norm for years and even decades.
The love of God comes by being loved by our Father. It comes by spending time with Him in His Word and His Spirit. It is developed as we exercise it and walk in it. And it comes through prayer. That’s why Paul prayed this nonstop for the church. And that’s what we need to do too.
Let’s pray together.
Father, we pray today for Your Church in the city of Warren. We thank You that You planted Your love in their heart. We pray that You would lead them in the development of it. Water it with Your presence. We ask that they will encounter Your love in a tangible way that makes it easy for them to share it with those around them. In Jesus’ Name, amen.