Being Sincere!

“…And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; that you may approve things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense until the day of Christ….”
Philippians 1:9-10

Abounding in love and sincerity might be one of the more intense prayers that I offer to God on behalf of my own life. Sincerity in love (in my opinion) is MORE important than any specific deed of love itself. It was the sincerity of love that won me to the Lord far beyond the act that was performed unto me. It is sincerity that is lacking in today’s relationships (family, friends, employer, as well as marital). When our deeds of love lack sincerity, they are lacking the entire purpose of love’s intentions and thereby are presented as counter-productive actions. Our text shows us some important things with respect to the abounding intentions of our spiritual acts of sincerity.

The Apostle Paul, the writer of this epistle to the Philippian Saints (while he was incarcerated I might add), prayed that their LOVE would abound more and more. Without becoming too redundant with verse 9, love here is the very familiar Greek word, Agape’ (ag-ah-pay) I will trust that you already know what this word means (if not, you need to contact me). Paul prayed that Agape’ would ABOUND, which is the Greek Perisseuo (per-is-syoo'-o) which is to exceed beyond measure, to overflow, to provide a measure that is left over, and to remain or establish pre-eminence. Paul prays further that Agape’ would abound in KNOWLEDGE, which is the Greek word Epignosis (ep-ig'-no-sis) which is to be precise, correct and ethical. To be decent, orderly and understanding. Then, Paul prays for Agape’ to abound in JUDGMENT which is the Greek Aisthesis (ah'-ee-sthay-sis) which means perception by intellect exceeding the senses – insight beyond simple cognition and unto spiritual discernment.

So then, what Paul is praying (in essence) is for our acts of love overflow and overtake (pre-eminence) where we apply it. Most importantly, our applications of love should NOT be out of order, unethical or lacking in the knowledge of what we are really doing. To ensure that our love is applied correctly, we should have correct “Judgment”, which is spiritually obtained and discerned beyond our ability to find out (the senses). Therefore, Paul is praying that our love would overflow the right way, at the right time, to the right people as directed by the right ONE: God Himself!

Paul continues to pray that we would APPROVE what is excellent. This is the Greek, Dokimazo (dok-im-ad'-zo) which is to test, examine, and recognize genuine quality – to deem worthy. EXCELLENT is the Greek word Diaphero (dee-af-er'-o) which means to differentiate, separate, to bear or carry in a different direction, to hold what matters or what is of most importance. This is so that we might be SINCERE which is the Greek word Heilikrines (i-lik-ree-nace' ) which is to be found pure when unfolded, examined and presented. To withstand any test of soundness, pollution, or uncleanness - to have purposeful and solidifying intentions with an additional purpose to increase purity.

WOW! Look at this again. Paul is praying (essentially… to me at least) that we should filter through the places (or people) where our love is applied (and seeking to provide an overflow) and weed out what matters and what doesn’t so that what we do can be applied effectively and found beneficial (purposeful & pure) to its destination. In other words, we shouldn’t love ONLY those who “deserve” to be loved (according to our standards), but we should be sincere – seeking to increase the purity of our intentions beyond what is presently before us. In this we will NOT be “offensive”, but become abounding “…until the day of Jesus Christ….”

“…My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth….”
1st John 3:18

Grace & Peace,
Roc