And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, (Philippians 1:9 ESV)
Progress
I am becoming a better mandolin player. I am a more skillful driver than I was at 15. My expertise in the Klingon language is increasing.
Those growths make me falsely confident that I can improve in my Christianity through practice, experience, and training. But it does not work that way.
Paul prays that the Philippians abound more in love, because Paul knows the only way for progress is through God’s amazing spiritual work in us. Paul does not simply lay out twelve easy steps to ‘better love.’ Instead, he turns to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The Father is the source of more love because He invented, displays, and provides love for us. Only in Him does love abound, because He is all love. The Son is the source of love because He manifests love in His salvific sacrifice, His obedience on our behalf, and His experience on earth. Looking at Him gives us knowledge of what love looks like. The Spirit is the source of love because He takes the Father’s and the Son’s love and drives it into our hearts. The Spirit enables us to interpret God’s Word and God’s world so we know it. The Spirit enables us to discern where love is, and where love is not.
Loving better is easier than becoming a better mandolin player. Just surrender to the work of God. It is harder, though, because it requires humility, honesty, and openness.
We are peculiar, we can progress in love.