July 8
Midweek Service
Philippians 1:9
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment.
Where are we in the Bible?
Philippians is a letter written by Paul the Apostle while he was imprisoned in Rome. It was sent to the Christian church in Philippi, a Roman colony in Macedonia and the first Christian congregation established in Europe, founded during Paul’s second missionary journey (Acts 16). In this early stage of the church’s expansion after Jesus’ resurrection and Pentecost, Paul writes to encourage believers facing pressure and persecution. Philippians 1:9 is part of Paul’s opening prayer, asking God to grow their love, wisdom, and spiritual understanding in Christ.
If the Apostle Paul prayed for the Philippians’ love to increase, it was not because they lacked it. In fact, Paul knew and experienced the love of the Philippian Christians. It was Paul who had founded the church in Philippi. The faithful in Philippi supported him with their prayers and gifts.
The Apostle knew that it was still possible to love better and more. Our goal is to become more and more like Jesus Christ, whose love for God and humankind was perfect. Paul knew that God blesses those who love Him in a special way (John 14:21).
Summary:
Loving God and loving our neighbor are inseparably rooted in God’s own love revealed in Christ and made active in us through the Holy Spirit. Our love for God is a response to His love for us, and through the Spirit, we come to understand both the depth of His love and how to reflect it toward others. As we receive His grace, we are called to respond through trust, obedience, forgiveness, and tangible acts of love, participating in Christ’s work and seeking the salvation and well-being of our neighbor as His kingdom becomes visible through us.
Foundational Reading
Scripture: Philippians 1:1-11
Catechism: 5.2.1-3