Love — the greatest commandment we can follow (Matt. 22:37-40), the greatest characteristic we can possess (1 Cor. 13:13), the greatest credential we can have as followers of Jesus Christ (Jn. 13:35).
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God. (Phil. 1:9-11)
Why wouldn’t we want to love more and more?
To Love More and More Requires Dependence on God
Notice how the Apostle Paul prayed that the Philippian Christians would grow in their love. — “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more …” He didn’t ask the people to work at deepening their love. He asked God to do it. Remember that love is a fruit of the Spirit, something He develops within us (Gal. 5:22).
To Love More and More Revolves Around Knowing God More and More
To know God is to better understand love because God is love. — “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” (1 Jn. 4:16) The more fully we comprehend His love, the more confident and secure we become in Him which spills over into a greater ability to love (1 Jn. 4:17-19).
To Love More and More Results in Goodness and Glory to God
The more we love, the more discerning we become and the more likely we will be to do what is best and right, obvious that we’re followers of Jesus Christ. No wonder love is the greatest commandment, characteristic, and credential we can have!