Knowledge & Discernment
Philippians 1:9-11 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Paul was writing the letter to the Philippians from prison. In a place where most would have seen a huge setback and trial, Paul saw God’s work in it, and the ability to share the gospel and the joy he possessed in Christ. Paul saw God at work in every thing in his life; he knew that his paths were directed by God and he sought to serve him every day. A central theme in Philippians is Paul’s joy, and he expresses that joy in relationships. Paul used two Greek words to describe those types of relationships; knowledge for our relationship with God; discernment for our relationships with each other. The closer our relationship with God, the greater our discernment in our lives and relationships here.
What comes first; the earthly relationship or the one with Christ? We may hear the Gospel preached and come to know Christ; but at that point it becomes our duty to pursue Christ. We should desire to sit under good teachers that help reveal God’s Word to us. We should desire to spend time in the Word ourselves with daily diligence; to have a sincere heart for God. We should seek to know God and the things of God; in these things are found the knowledge of God. 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment. In this knowledge is a relationship is nurtured; a relationship that you were created for by Him that you are now in pursuit of. You will never come to know more about God until you truly seek God with all your heart. God knows your heart and will reward you with opening your eyes and mind through your heart for Him.
The closer we get to God, the more discernment He may give us. Discernment is a key to unlocking a better understanding of the things that surround you every day. Paul is speaking of discernment in the light of person-to-person relationships, and we all need a better understanding of those realities. This world is full of darkness, and much of that darkness may lie in false relationships. God will open our eyes to these things the more time we spend with him. The promises that come in the scriptures that follow in verses 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.(ESV). With this gained understanding comes the joy that Paul possessed. He saw God at work in all aspects and relationships of his life. He sought to glorify God in all his life with that knowledge of their relationship, and the worldly discernment that he gained from it.
oneminuteministry 
Does your faith have feet?
Does your faith have feet?
Matthew 10:7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
In the commentary on Matthew 10, Matthew Henry calls this an “ordination sermon”. Jesus is ordaining the apostles to the work they are called to do; to spread the Good News that our Savior brings to this dying world. They are to go out into the world, to put feet on their faith. My church is doing that today; going out into the community to knock on doors and invite people to church; to spread the Good News that Jesus Christ brings into the world. The community like any other may not receive it, may reject it, may downright deny it and be angry towards it. We can never argue a person to Salvation, we can only present the Gospel in the hope that God has prepared their hearts to receive it. We are told by Christ how to handle those that deny. Matthew 10:14 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.
The Apostles were told of what their futures held; to be persecuted before men as preachers of Christianity. They were to expect imprisonment, torture, even unto death. They were to always stand for Christ to the end; to not worry for their suffering would be rewarded eternally. To not worry what to say when they were brought into the courts; the Holy Spirit would be with them to provide the words He wanted them to hear. 19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. That same Spirit lives inside you and will give you the words to speak when you step out in faith to share, or to defend your faith in Christ. It is He who provides when we know not how to answer. If you stand before someone who’s heart God has prepared, He will deliver just the right words for them through you.
Have you ever went out and put feet on your faith to evangelize? Going into environments or situations that make you uncomfortable in your own abilities? How can you see God work in your life if you only go where you are comfortable? The power of God rests in the abilities that you have not; the answers you have not; the situations in life where you fully rest on Him is where you see the greatest work by Him in your life. Getting out of your comfort zone and into the power of God. There is no fear that should lie in these situations. There is heavenly power and strength that lies in the feet of an evangelist; for they know that nothing is to fear here, for they know they are in the center of God’s Will spreading the Good News to those who will receive it. Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Step out, and step into, the power of God to spread hope into a dying world.
Posted by oneminuteministry on February 23, 2013 in Daily Devotions
Tags: commentary on matthew, heart god, kingdom of heaven, kingdom of heaven is at hand, religion, theology