COMMENTARY

Don Atkin

EXPONENTIALLY ABOUNDING LOVE

Love is a big word. God is Love. God is big . . . bigger than we can comprehend. We cannot get our little minds around such a big God, such a big love!

We love because He first loved us. The love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Beloved, let us love one another. Those who love not do not know God. For, God is love!

The better we know Him, the more we love.

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and discernment. - Philippians 1:9

These two dimensions follow increasing love - knowledge and discernment.

Rhema - revelation knowledge - and the gift of discerning, are to be ever-increasing as we grow in relationship with and sensitivity to God. The more that is revealed to us, the more we abound in the revealing of His love to others. We learn about Him and His higher thoughts and ways (knowledge), and we gain supernatural insights, judgments and evaluations (discernment), as we make Him the object of our pursuit.

Mere knowledge puffs up. Love edifies, builds up. Do you want to build? Or, do you merely want to puff?

See these fruitful results of your love abounding still more and more :

1. That you may approve the things that are excellent,

2. That you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,

3. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness

(which are by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God). - Verses 10-11

Pursue love, and enjoy the fruits thereof! Love never fails.