Encouragement for Today and Tomorrow
Like all other Christians, you and I need strength every day to do the right things and grow. Paul writes to the believers in Philippi that he prays for them. He also explains for which he prays and why he prays for it.
Philippians 1:9-11 (NIV)
Grow Today
It is always nice to know someone is praying for you. That is why it is also good to pray for others and to let them know that once in a while. Paul prays for insight and subtlety. He not only prays that Christians develop a sense of what is important in God's kingdom, but he prays that they continue to grow in it. That their love will grow. Love for God. Love for the truth.
Bear Fruit Tomorrow
This love, which makes us do His will more and more and by which we know the truth, also gives future fruit. On the day that Jesus Christ returns we will be pure and blameless. What a promise! Of course it has nothing to do with our efforts to know Him better and to do His will better. It has everything to do with the fruit of righteousness that grows in us by the Holy Spirit of God, by the Lord Jesus. We receive it from him, to the glory of His name.
We pray for each other, we grow today and we will receive His righteousness on the great day of His return. What more do we want?
