Issue: The Importance of Depth in Godly Leadership

Text: Philippians 1:9 reads, “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment . . . .”

Context: Philippians is one of the apostle Paul’s prison epistles. The label is accurate. Why? Paul was incarcerated in Rome for evangelizing his culture. History does indeed repeat patterns. Truth has always had its angelic and human enemies since Genesis 3, and even before that in the heavenlies. Light vs. darkness. Truth vs. lies. The Savior vs. the serpent.

But when Paul wrote, the theme that most characterizes this epistle of Philippians was not anger. It was not resentment. It was not hopelessness or helplessness. No, it was joy.

Paul’s prayer for his fellow believers was that their love would abound with joy. Isn’t that striking?

What’s more, he prayed that they would be knowledgeable and discerning. That is, he prayed for their spiritual depth.

The specified task was to love the brethren, and the implied tasks were that knowledge and discernment buttressed true love.

Encouragement: When I look back on the best bosses for whom I have worked, I see a common thread in all of them: They have had a joy and wisdom that underlaid and informed their leadership. That sort of demeanor is contagious. It motivates people. It attracts the right people. And it is worth our emulating.