Philippians 1.9-11
“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”
Love is not the same as approval. This passage from Philippians encourages us to make sure our love, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is guided by knowledge and discernment so that we “may approve what is excellent.”
It also means that our love should disapprove of those things that are not in alignment with God’s truth or standards.
Yesterday we focused on God’s love for righteousness. And because the Lord loves both mankind and righteousness, he disapproves of our behavior when we disobey him. That is to say, God’s love compels him to disapprove of our behavior when we do not live rightly.
The Lord is disappointed when our actions do not align with his commands. It is precisely because he loves us that he does not approve of wrong actions.
Ephesians 4 tells us not to engage in behavior that would grieve the Holy Spirit, and then provides a list of attitudes and actions that we should avoid, as well as attitudes and actions that we should pursue.
“Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4.30-32)
God is our Father, and like any caring parent, he loves us and disapproves of our behavior when we are disobedient.
Assuming you are operating from the right standards, authentic love will motivate you to disapprove of inappropriate behavior … first yours, then others.
Today’s secular world does not understand the difference between love and approval. The progressive left demands that everyone approve of their social/political agenda, which includes support for a growing number of deviant lifestyle choices.
They will tolerate no dissent. In the society they are seeking to build, approval is mandated. Otherwise, you will be labeled a bigot, and then cancelled, cut-off, and de-platformed.
The followers of Christ, empowered by love, are compelled to disapprove of beliefs and behaviors that are not in alignment with God’s character.
Again, love is not the same as approval.
