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Read: Philippians 1:9-11
Listen: Philippians 1

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight. Philippians 1:9

Paul prays the Philippians will have even more love. It isn’t that they don’t have love. But he wants them to gain a deeper insight into practicing God’s love toward each other. It’s possible Paul was remembering Jesus’s statement, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples…” (John 13:34-35). How Christians behave toward each other shows the world something about Jesus.

Our love for God and the gospel will move us to love those right in front of us. Paul’s letter warns against putting conviction before compassion and teaches us to live by two divine aspects of our true citizenship: the progress of the gospel and the practice of love. In a previous message, Pastor Aaron Buer taught us three ways to show love to those we may disagree with politically by saying: 1) “How did I come across?” 2) “I forgive you.” 3) “Help me understand.” Treating each other with love and respect shows the world Jesus’s love.

TODAY: Think about the way you respond to those who disagree with you politically. If you aren’t sure how you come across, ask someone you trust. If you see the need for improvement, humbly confess your need to God. Then, ask for his forgiveness and help to grow.

JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:

Read Jeremiah 50-52. Highlight anything that points to Jesus. Consider how Jesus said the people were sheep without a shepherd (Mark 6:34), but he is the good shepherd (John 10:11).