February 13, 2005

“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ, having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11

As we journey through life there are times when we have to wear many different hats and juggle complex schedules. Sometimes it is easy to find ourselves doing a lot of things, but not doing any of them well. If we are not careful we will find ourselves settling for the status quo in each area of our lives.

As we have seen this past week, Paul cared deeply about the church in Philippi. He had seen many of them come to Christ, and he was grateful for them because of the financial support that they had shared with him on his missionary journeys.

As Paul begins this letter he records the prayer that he is praying for them. It is a prayer that if lived out, would keep them from falling into spiritual mediocrity.

Paul shared that they should…
• Be MOTIVATED by love.
o “…that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment…”
• Be FOCUSED by discernment.
o “…so that you may approve the things that are excellent…”
• Be DEDICATED to integrity.
o “…in order to be sincere and blameless…”
• Be DETERMINED until the end
o “…until the day of Christ…”
• Be DEPENDENT on Christ.
o “…having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

As you prepare to worship today would you say that you are experiencing a dynamic and growing relationship with Christ, or are you settling for the “status quo?”

Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart today as you meditate on Paul’s prayer and his challenge to break free from the status quo.