Love with Eyes Wide Open

Focus: Philippians 1:9–10 (KJV) states: "And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ." 

Christian love is never blind, but guided by sharp discernment and high moral standards. Paul revealed his specific, daily prayer for the church he loved. He did not pray for their comfort, their wealth, or their safety. Instead, he prayed for a very specific upgrade to their spiritual character. He wanted their love to abound yet more and more, but based on two vital safeguards: knowledge (creature-comfort truth) and judgment (moral discernment). Love without discernment is dangerous and easily deceived, while discernment without love is cold and legalistic. When we blend the two, we gain the supernatural ability to approve things that are excellent—meaning we can easily look past what is simply okay or good and choose what is best, highest, and most pleasing to God. The result is a life that is sincere and inures in a way that doesn't cause others to trip or stumble.

When Solomon was suddenly elevated to the throne as a young man, he felt completely overwhelmed. When God appeared to him in a dream and told him to ask for whatever he wanted, Solomon did not ask for the death of his enemies, long life, or massive personal wealth. Instead, Solomon prayed from a posture of love for God's chosen people. He asked for an understanding heart to judge God’s people, so that he may discern between good and bad. God was deeply pleased with this unselfish request. He granted Solomon an unmatched level of wisdom. We see this put to the test immediately in the famous case of the two mothers claiming the same baby. Solomon used his supernatural discernment to cut through the lies, expose the hidden motives of the hearts, protect the innocent child, and render a verdict that caused all of Israel to stand in awe of God’s justice. Solomon modeled what it looks like to use divine judgment to elevate a community.

Today, evaluate how you express love to others. Are you loving people with a passive attitude that tolerates destructive behavior, or are you loving them with "knowledge and judgment" that speaks truth in kindness? When making decisions today regarding your time, your entertainment, or your finances, don't just ask, "Is this a sin?" Instead, ask "Is this excellent? Is this the absolute best choice for my walk with Christ?" Live today with "the day of Christ" in mind. Make choices in secret that you would be perfectly comfortable standing before Jesus with, ensuring your life remains sincere and free of hidden compromises.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray over my own heart today asking that you would cause my love for you and for others to overflow, but fill it with deep knowledge and all spiritual judgment. Give me an understanding heart like Solomon to discern between good and bad. Help me to pass up the things that are merely mediocre so that I can boldly choose the things that are excellent. Keep me pure, sincere, and blameless until the day I stand face-to-face with Jesus, in Jesus' name, Amen.

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