Heart, Head, Hands

By Kevin Baird

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

One reason the Christian faith is so satisfying is that it incorporates all of our being. It asks for whole person engagement. It is a call to our affections, a call to our reasoning, and a call to our actions.

Back in verse 4, Paul tells the Philippians that he is always praying with thanksgiving for them. Here in these passages we see he prays for their faith to grow in every way. He prays for their love to grow. This love, like Paul's for them, is rooted in their love for Christ, but expressed in their ongoing care for one another and for Paul. Their heart of affection is increasing. He prays that their love will grow in its quality through their mind. As they navigate decisions and life’s perplexities Paul’s prayer is that their knowledge of God and their wisdom from God will help them in every way.

He prays finally, that all of this will be lived out and produce fruit of righteousness. These are the actions of a faithful people that mark them as God’s own. This wholistic faith is what prepares us for the Day when Jesus returns. Paul’s prayer in summary is a reminder that the Holy Spirit is at work in us to increase our affection for Christ and his church, deepen our knowledge and wisdom in his ways, so that we do the type of loving actions that remind people of Jesus. As we grow in this way God gets all the praise and glory.

Our Good Creator,
You have made us in creation and remade us in the Son. Thank you for the wholistic work you are doing to grow our love, our wisdom, and our work to reflect your steadfast love for us as your people. Inspire us to pray in the way Paul does for one another and follow you in all that we feel, think, and do. In Christ’s name and to the glory of God the Father with the Holy Spirit, we pray, Amen