You Need More Love
In Philippians 1:9, Paul shares a heartfelt prayer for the believers in Philippi: “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment.” These words, while brief, carry profound implications for the life of every believer. They challenge us not only to love more but to love rightly. Love is not just an emotion or sentiment—it’s a God-given fruit of the Spirit that flourishes when rooted in truth and guided by discernment.
Paul’s prayer begins with the desire for love to “abound yet more and more.” This overflowing love, however, is not the vague, fleeting affection we often associate with the word. It is the sacrificial, Christ-like love that Paul writes about in 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13: “And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you.” This love overflows toward fellow believers in the church, creating unity and edification, and then reaches outward to the unsaved, reflecting the selfless love of Christ for the world. It’s a love rooted in action and sacrifice, modeled after God’s own love for us: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8).
Yet, Paul does not simply pray for their love to increase indiscriminately. He specifies that it should abound “in knowledge.” Love, to be proper and effective, must be informed by the knowledge of God. Without this foundation, love becomes misguided, driven by emotion rather than truth. As Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 13:6, “Charity rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.” Love that lacks the knowledge of God’s Word risks affirming sin or leading others astray. For example, what good is it to show affection to someone if that affection enables sinful behaviors or ignores their need for the truth of the gospel? A love grounded in God’s knowledge seeks what is truly good for others, aligning with His will and rejoicing in His truth.
In addition to knowledge, Paul prays for love to abound “in all judgment.” This word “judgment” refers to discernment – the ability to evaluate situations, actions, and intentions according to God’s standards. True, proper love is not blind; it requires wisdom and spiritual insight to be exercised rightly. Romans 14:13 reminds us of the importance of discernment in love: “Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” Discernment allows us to love in ways that build others up, not tear them down or lead them into sin. It helps us navigate the complexities of relationships and challenges, ensuring that our love aligns with God’s truth and purpose.
At its core, love is a deeply spiritual and multifaceted concept. It is an affection for someone or something, matured and exhibited through selfless sacrifice and the desire to do good for others. But as Romans 5:8 and Luke 6:32-33 show, the love that God patterned and wants us to show is displayed through action, even when it is undeserved or unreciprocated. Without the proper foundation of God’s Word, our affections can become misdirected, prioritizing personal gain over genuine good. Love, therefore, is not merely a matter of the heart but also of the mind – a confluence of heartfelt sincerity and spiritual truth.
The question remains: how can we grow in this kind of love? To love as Christ loves, we must first know His love for us. “For the love of Christ constraineth us” (2Co 5:14). Studying God’s Word allows us to understand the depth of His love, which in turn transforms our hearts and minds. The more we grow in the knowledge of Christ, the more we are able to bear the fruit of love through the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). Ephesians 3:17-19 captures this beautifully: “That ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” Lastly, through consistent prayer, we can keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus, allowing us to continually foster care for others and the things of God (Php 4:6-7).
In conclusion, Philippians 1:9 challenges us to examine the quality and source of our love. Is it abounding? Is it rooted in the knowledge of God and guided by discernment? The love that God desires we show—Christ-like love—goes beyond surface-level sentimentality. It is an active, selfless, and discerning commitment to the good of others, aligned with God’s will and truth. As we grow in the knowledge of Christ, may our love abound more and more, bringing glory to God and reflecting His heart to a world in desperate need of it.
