“And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:9-11, KJV)
Consider for a moment the four things Paul says he prays to God about the Philippians:
1) Love may abound in knowledge and discernment (Notice: just saying you have more love is not enough, it must grow out of knowledge of God and his word).
2) Approve things that are excellent (to put to the test things that differ to find the conclusion of what is right).
3) Be sincere and without offence (being sincere alone is not enough, that sincerity must be coupled with correct actions)
4) Filled with the fruits of righteousness (Which requires a removal/refusal of the fruits of darkness).
All four of these things are necessary for Christian growth and development. They are the things we should be wanting to see in our own lives and the lives of others. Are they found in yours?