Philippians 1:9–10 (NKJV) — 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,
Love! What a wonderful word that is most often misused. In the Christian world, the word love is used often. But what do we mean when we say love? So often it is about feelings. Love does produce emotions or feelings, but it goes beyond these. Love in the Bible never focuses on “good” feelings. Feelings do come in our relationship with others. Feelings are never the focus of true love. Paul writes, “that your love may abound still more and more in ‘knowledge’ and all discernment.” Our love for Jesus leads us to know all we can about Him.
Love is discernment, intellectual discernment. True love leads us to want to know all we can about the one we love. When we accepted Christ as Savior we invited Him into our lives. We made a choice to walk with Him and He with us. This was an intellectual choice. Were emotions involved…yes! But the emotions were in response to the intellectual choice made.
Love is not passive or stagnant. True love grows. Passive love of the growing Christian is not found in the Bible. Growing love for Christ moves us to choose the more excellent and best in our lives. The more we love Christ, the more we will choose the more excellent way. Our love for Christ leads us to love not only Christ but each other.
True love for Christ is sincere and pure. Our love for Him is uncontaminated with the things of the world. This love is a growing love that will keep our eyes focused on Him. We do not allow the world to dictate our thoughts or actions. Our love for Christ leads us to choose what is right not by the standards of the world but by the standards of Christ.
Our love for Christ is a growing love that keeps us from causing others to stumble. We would never want to be a stumbling block to others. Our love for Christ leads us to choose the best or more excellent way.