Philippians 1: I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,

6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:3-11

7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. Philippians 1:3-11

8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, Philippians 1:3-11

10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ — to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:3-11

Excellence Generated By Love ἀρετn

God Lives in Excellence His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, (2 Peter 1:3, ESV). But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (I Peter 2:9-10, ESV)

Philippians 1:9-11 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (ESV) And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (ESV)

Points of the Passage Abounding love Ability to choose the excellent Pure and void of offense Filled with the fruits of righteousness

Abounding Love be present in abundance, exceed, surpass ALGNT To be in excess, exceed in number or measure: to be or have more than enough. TCWSNT Zohdiates

Not Indiscriminate Love (Two Qualifying Phrases) In Knowledge In ability to discern - God’s people are discriminating people as a moral action of recognizing distinctions and making a decision about behavior, perception, insight.

Ability To Choose The Excellent “The good thing becomes the bad thing when it takes the place of the best thing.”

Excellence and Becoming Christ-like Transformation is often the enemy of God's grace. The result is that too often we become addicted to what often is called "cheap grace." What does the term, "cheap grace," mean? It means "I cannot earn salvation" [true], "I cannot deserve salvation" [true], "I cannot place God in my debt" [true], so "How I live and behave is unimportant" [false]. It means "I cannot earn salvation" [true], "I cannot deserve salvation" [true], "I cannot place God in my debt" [true], so "How I live and behave is unimportant" [false]. It is the concept, "God's grace will cover everything, so I can just live as I please because I am in God's grace." It is the concept, "God's grace will cover everything, so I can just live as I please because I am in God's grace."

God wants us to use our knowledge and discerning skills to make the right choice. You will notice there is no mention of choosing the good over the bad. The choice is to be made between the good and the best.

Excellence In imitating Christ In biblical study In evangelical outreach In moral pursuits In relational pursuits In service to others

Result of Choosing the Excellent εἰλικρινεῖς That you may be pure εἰλι sun; κρινεῖς judge strictly tested by sunlight; hence sincere (2Pet. 3:1); morally spotless, pure (Phil. 1:10) sincere – sine cere = without wax ἀπρόσκοπος, ον strictly not stumbling or jarring against anything; hence blameless, void of offense (Phil. 1:10); of the conscience clear (Acts 24:16); in relation to others giving no offense, causing no trouble (1Cor 10:32)

Filled With The Fruits of Righteousness John 15:1-17 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. You are my friends if you do what I command you.