In Philippians 1:9, Paul told the church, “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment.” 

Now, he acknowledged that, as believers, they already had love; that’s a fruit of the Spirit. But he prayed their love would abound—that it would overflow—still more and more.

Romans 5:5 says, “The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy [Spirit]” (KJV). God’s love has not only been poured out, but it is generously poured out.

If the love of God has been poured into your heart by God, you have a new capacity to love. Because the love of God has been poured into your heart, you should also expect this love to be poured out through you.

Because His love for you is unlimited, you have the capacity to show unending love to others. Whether you think you can or not, whether you feel like it or you don’t—you can.

Think of love as a river. All this water is flowing, but if it flows without embankments, it goes everywhere, and it's called a flood. Notice Paul said, “in knowledge and all discernment” (Philippians 1:9). One bank of the river is knowledge, and the other is discernment.

Paul was saying Christian love should flow abundantly, within the boundaries of knowledge and discernment.

Love is more than just emotions spilling out uncontrollably without parameters. It flows within knowledge and discernment.

Every parent understands this. When I was growing up, there were times my parents gave me gifts, and there were times they disciplined me. As a kid, I naturally thought the gifts meant they loved me, while the discipline made me wonder if they did.

But, in looking back, I realize the opposite was true. They loved me enough to correct me because they wanted me to grow into a responsible adult, not someone who made foolish choices. Their discipline was an expression of love—displayed with biblical knowledge and discernment.

Biblical love must be intentional. It must not flood out emotionally. It must be balanced by knowledge and discernment.

I pray that your love would abound, more and more. As it is poured into you, it can pour out of you. That's a prayer I have for myself as well. I don't want to be an offense to the gospel or to the cause of Christ. I want to keep my life from being an offense to Jesus. I want to make Jesus more famous, to exalt His name and the love He offers to all.

May we never forget that the love we give is the love we’ve received from Christ. His love fills us, guides us, and flows through us—not recklessly, but with wisdom, truth, and discernment.

Today, ask Him to let His love abound in you and through you. Ask for the courage to love when it’s difficult, the wisdom to know what love requires, and the humility to love in a way that reflects Jesus.

May our words, actions, and choices point people to the gospel. And may the love of Christ overflow from our lives so abundantly that others see Jesus more clearly.