What Does Real Love Look Like? - Philippians 1:7-11

7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I

 am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with

 me.  

We see Paul's heart for the Philippians.  Though he was a man of towering intellect, he

also had a shepherd's heart.  Paul did not only have a heart for them, but "carried"

them in his heart.  While Paul makes a defense for the gospel and confirms its truth,

and they participate in it with him.  The fellowship between Christians is one of the

greatest things we enjoy as the body of Christ, no matter what denomination. 

8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. Paul's love for

them is not a human love and affection, but the love of Christ. 

He yearns for them with the affection of Christ Jesus. The word rendered affections (splanchnon) in the first sense refers to one’s inward parts such as the kidneys or intestines, but came by extension to refer to a person’s seat of emotions or a feeling itself.3 It “concerns and expresses the total personality at the deepest level (TDNT).”4

9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,  Paul acknowledges their deep love, but also prays it would abound more and more.  I reminds us that we always have room for more love.  We don't just "love a little" about our love abounds more and more.  Notice the love is not just emotional but also abounds in knowledge and deep of insight.  As we learn more about the love of Christ has for us, it inspires to deeper expressions of his "unconditional love" as expressed when he went to the cross.  You might know that the word Paul uses for "love" is agape, which is not love that looks for accolades that is all about the other person.  You might call it a selfless love.  It is the kind of love Paul refers to in 1 Corinthians 15.  The greatest of these is "love".  

10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,  The ultimate goal for any Christian is to be ready for Jesus to return.  Notice as well the readiness is related to their love "quotient", their ability love like Jesus did.  Since we are fallen, there is always a part of us that will not love "completely" like Jesus did. But it is certainly worth our effort to emulate this kind of love.  We are saved by grace so being pure and blameless doesn't mean we lose our salvation.  The key is we are saved to love others like Jesus did.  

11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. Finally, this is not our work alone.  Jesus hasgiven us his righteousness as a gift.  Bearing fruit is always the result of abiding in Jesus (John 15:4-6). As we abide in Him, we receive the life and nutrients we need to naturally bear fruit to the glory and praise of God. (Guzik)

Paul begins his letter by giving thanks to them for their support, expressing the love he for them, and finally challenging to deepen their love because they have already been saved by Christ.  The love they express is fueled by their mutual abiding in Christ, who bears fruit through them as them remain in him. 

Where can you grow in becoming more like Christ in the way you love others?  What is it that stops you from abiding in Christ, so your "agape" love flows out of knowing Jesus' love for you more deeply?  Merry Christmas (a day late LOL) and may the love of the Savior born in a manger and fully expressed on the cross 33 years later inspire you to greater love for other believers and those God calls you to love.  


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