Philippians 1:9-11 - "Love In Knowledge"

Notice the next words: “in knowledge”—that their lovewould abound in knowledge. Nowthis is very important, because all love is not the same. Some people have whatwe might call an emotional love or emotional affection for someone. I amconvinced that this is what Peter had when he began following the Lord. He sawsome miracles and was excited about the external. As he began to follow theLord Jesus Christ, we find that even after three years, he had many failures.He was following externally. Butone day, something happened that changed him on the inside after a majorfailure. He realized that he needed the truth—that to know the truth would sethim free. That is what Jesus said: “You shall know the truth, and thetruth shall set you free.” You see, Paul is talking here about an informedlove—a love that is guided by truth, not by our feelings. In other words, themore you know God, the more you will love Him. That is why Paul would laterwrite, “That I might know Him and the power of His resurrection, and thefellowship of His sufferings.” That means to be intimately acquainted with whoGod is—who Jesus is. Thatis why, in Colossians chapter 2, Paul writes to the church there, saying: “thattheir hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining toall riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge ofthe mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ. In whom are hidden allthe treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Jesus said, “You shall knowthe truth, and the truth shall set you free.” It begins with knowing the truth.Your knowledge must be based on truth, and your love must be founded onthe truth of God’s Word. Godso loved you. His love will never change. Nothing can separate us from the loveof God that is in Christ Jesus. As we come to know the Word of God, we come toknow Him. That is why it is so important to have a love that is based on thetruth of God’s Word—from Genesis 1:1 to the very end of the book of Revelation.As you study through the Word of God, you come to know God. Thatis why I love 2 Peter 1:2–8. Carefully read these verses, and look for the word“knowledge.” “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in theknowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. As His divine power has given to usall things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Himwho called us by His glory and virtue by which have been given to us exceedinggreat and precious promises that through these you may be partakers of thedivine nature having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.Now for this very reason give all diligence to add to your faith virtue and tovirtue knowledge and to knowledge self-control to self-controlperseverance to perseverance godliness to godliness brotherly kindness tobrotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound you willneither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”An amazing change has taken place in Peter. He now understood theimportance of loving in knowledge! Paul,go on to say in Philippians 3:8, “Yet indeed I count all things loss for theexcellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I havesuffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gainChrist.” I just want to encourage you today to make sure that your love isbased on knowledge—that you love in knowledge and that it abounds in theknowledge of Jesus Christ. Because, my friend, the more you know Him, the moreyou will love Him. Itis a love that is based and rooted in truth. It is strong. It is wise. It issteady. It comes because we are in God’s Word and are thinking on His truthrather than simply listening to what our feelings are telling us. I trust todaythat your love will abound more and more in the knowledge of our Lord andSavior Jesus Christ. Godbless and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!