Philippians 1:8 - A Love That Overflows

Todaywe are moving on to verse 8 of Philippians 1. The Apostle Paul has already toldthem in verse 7, “Inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense andconfirmation of the gospel, you are partakers with me of grace.” We havebeen talking about being partakers with him of grace. We are partners togetherin the grace of God as we serve the Lord Jesus Christ wherever we are. TheApostle Paul is in prison. He is in chains. So in verse 8, he goes on to say, “ForGod is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of JesusChrist.” Thisis powerful for us to understand because here the Apostle Paul says that hislove for them is not just human affection, but it is the affection of JesusChrist. In the original language of this passage, where he talks about“affection,” the word there comes from the idea of the bowels—deep within mybowels, deep within my inner being. There is a love that overflows for you. Whatlove is that? It is not human love. It is supernatural love. It is the love ofJesus Christ. When we become a follower of Jesus Christ and accept Him as ourLord and Savior, and we begin to deny self, take up the cross, and follow Him,something supernatural takes place. There is a love in our heart for others—Imean everyone around us. Nowsometimes it seems impossible to like certain people because of their attitudesand their actions. But no matter whether we can live peaceably with them or not, we are to lovethem. We are to have an affection for them. NowI have always pictured this as understanding that God Himself is love. “God islove” (1 John 4:8 &16). I am, by nature, selfish. I am looking out for me.But God is love. When I now have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ,I have available to me the reservoir of God’s endless, limitless love. TheBible teaches us in Romans 5:1-8: “Therefore, having been justified byfaith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” So it allbegins with salvation and justification. Verse 2: “Through whom also we haveaccess by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of theglory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowingthat tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; andcharacter, hope. Now hope does not disappoint.” Nowhere it is: “Because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts bythe Holy Spirit who was given to us. For when we were still without strength,in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (v.5-6). Now Paul puts thistogether, I believe, helping us understand that as we go through trials—rememberPaul is in prison, he is in chains, he is going through a time ofsuffering—when we go through those difficult times, the tendency is to focus onourselves: our pain, our hurt, our suffering. But Paul says that when all thisreally happens, it should cause us to focus on God and His strength—His greatreservoir of love that is available to us. And the Holy Spirit supernaturallynow pours out that love. SoI picture it this way: I reach up into that reservoir of God’s love, and I takeHis love—and whether I feel it or not—I give His love, His grace, His kindness,His gentleness, His affection, His compassion. I give it to the person whoneeds it closest to me. Who is my neighbor? It is the person closest to me whoneeds God and needs to experience His love. What kind of love is that? Here itis: “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8). Thatis how much He loved us. He gave His own Son. That is the love we nowgive—supernaturally. Not our love, but God’s love to those around us. Thatis why Paul said, “I have God as my witness. That is the kind of loveand affection I have for you.” And that is the kind of love and affectionwe should have for those around us as we gather together—even with otherbelievers who are sometimes hard to love.