And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight…
Philippians 1:9 NIV
Increasing Love
According to a web article on the westcoastfamilies.com website “As the world faces increasing challenges, Canadians are embracing their national pride more than ever. This renewed sense of patriotism brings strength and unity during times of uncertainty, reminding us of the values that make our country unique. Now is the perfect time to help young people deepen their connection to Canada by fostering appreciation for its history, culture and shared identity. By instilling a strong sense of belonging, we can inspire the next generation to uphold the resilience, kindness and inclusivity that define our nation.
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There are a number of Greek words for love. The authors of the Bible used three of them, and usually when speaking of love for others, the word used is philios, which is brotherly love. But when Paul is writing to the believers in Philippi, he calls them to deepen their love for each other by using the agape – usually used to express the love of God. In Philippians 1:9, he writes, “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight…” Paul expected the believers that made up the family of God in Philippi to love each other with the same love that God had for them. And he prays that this unconditional, no strings attached, divine love would deepen and broaden as they experienced the love of God more and more. This is a prayer we all should pray – what a difference our churches would be if we all loved each other with the same agape love that we have experienced in Jesus.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley