Love God in Choices

 Philippians 1-4 

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God…Only let us live up to what we have already attained.”

Philippians 1:9-11; 3:16

Paul’s prayer for the church in Philippi was that their love for God and others would grow and be expressed in discerning good from evil. Love for God is more than an emotion. Love for God is expressed in choosing what God loves, and learning his ways. When we make choices that reflect God’s ways in our thoughts, actions, habits, and relationships, we are loving God. The motivation and empowerment to live this way comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit who fills us with the power to love. Living a life of love is a life that is filled with the fruit of righteousness and right standing with God and is possible because Jesus is living in and through us. Knowing what is right doesn’t mean we always choose what is right, pure, and God-honoring. Paul’s encouragement to “live up” to what we have already attained reminds us we are either growing in love, or sliding backward in sin.

In which direction is our life moving?

“Father God, I choose to live for you in love, for your glory.”