Knowledgeable Love!

Love can be (and should be) a powerful motivator in life. However, one’s affections can be misdirected. (note 2 Timothy 3:2-5) There is a reason for love and it is always right to act in love, but love is to be exercised in reasonable ways.

Note Paul’s prayer for the church at Philippi.
“(9) And it is my prayer that your LOVE MAY ABOUND MORE AND MORE, WITH KNOWLEDGE AND ALL DISCERNMENT, (10) so that you may APPROVE WHAT IS EXCELLENT, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, (11) filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” ( Philippians 1:9-11 ESV)

First note two words from the text. The word translated “knowledge” here is the Greek “epignosis” which is not just knowledge (gnosis), but rather “full knowledge” or “precise knowledge”. The word translated “discernment” is from the Greek “aisthesis” and refers to moral discernment in ethical matters and has been translated “judgment” and would therefore be a right judgment.

To possess a love that abounds like an overflowing cup or an ever flowing stream is good. Such is the picture of the love of God. Our love, however, must be properly directed and Paul connected the focus of love with a knowledge that aids in loving in a DISCERNING manner. The love God desires us to possess is not a blind love that makes no DISTINCTION between what is right and what is wrong, but a DISCERNING LOVE that sees as it ought and acts appropriately. When our love is based upon the knowledge of the truth of God we will be able to BEST DISCERN how to exercise it as we recognize what is right and “approve what is excellent.” To mature in a love like this will cause us to love God and His Will more and to also love others in more beneficial ways.

Paul exhorted the church at Rome to…
“LET LOVE BE GENUINE. ABHOR WHAT IS EVIL; HOLD FAST TO WHAT IS GOOD.” ( Romans 12:9 ESV)

DISTINCTIONS must be made in accordance with the judgment God has declared in the Scriptures so that we can act in love by affectionately affirming what is right and lovingly directing away from that which is not. May we truly come to know more fully how to love as God would have us.

Have a great day LOVING IN WAYS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Love