The Lord Jesus teaches us to love, grow in relationship with Him, and minister Christ to others. Doing this is the high life.

First, Paul prays that we abound more and more. Vs9, “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment.” He wants us to grow. He doesn’t want us stagnant in the Christian life. Three things are important to faith: (A) believing the gospel. We must have the truth of grace. (B) Living by the gospel: we must heed the warnings and obey the commands. (C) Abounding more and more. Get closer to Jesus. Love more. Be more Christlike. Never quit. Never slow down.

Go all out for the Christian life and never turn back! You and I are on the good path, and we’re rewarded according to our labor [1 Corinthians 3:13-15]. Build wisely, and you’ll see a reward now and forever. 1 Timothy 4:8, “For the training of the body has a limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”

Secondly, Paul wants us filled with the fruit of righteousness. Philippians 1:11, "filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God." We have imputed righteousness, whereby we are justified. We have indwelling righteousness and holiness [2 Pet 2:8; Eph 4:24]. We also have the fruit of righteousness, which is good works. Paul wants us bearing the fruit of the Spirit, increasing in love, and abounding in hope. He wants our life evidencing salvation increasingly. He wants us more useful and thus more happy, as the knowledge of Christ grows.

Oh, Christianity is a wonderful thing: it is a relationship builder with God. It is not true that our First Love goes away to never return. It is not true that the honeymoon is over, and we settle into daily living. It is not true that the thrill is gone. As we increase in good works, living by the strength of grace, then we’ll see God more and enjoy Him more! There is joy in the gospel to keep us going. Romans 15:13, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” There’s a thrill that never gets old!

Thirdly, Paul is an optimist! He looks upon the situation and sees grace: he sees what God is doing. Vs12-14, “I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”

The palace knows that he is a prisoner of the gospel, because they’ve heard him testify of Christ, and the word has spread. Jesus is risen indeed, and He gives amazing comfort and peace. He produces holiness, patience, and love. He reveals His miraculous message by transforming lives and the power of the Spirit. Christ is made known. Likewise, others are emboldened to preach the gospel! They see Paul suffering and say, “Let me get in on it too. If he can endure, then so can I. I can’t leave him alone. I can’t draw back now. If he can risk his life, then I can risk mine. The same blood was shed for me. The same grace is available!”

This is how we encourage others by going through it ourselves without bitterness and complaining, but with our eyes on Christ, sucking honey out of the rock [Ps 81:16]!

Finally, some are preaching the gospel out of good will. Yes, there are schemers who use the gospel for themselves. They use people. They are proud. There are others, however, who are sincere, so rejoice. Philippians 1:15, To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and strife, but others out of good will.”

We might not be doing as much as we like, but God is still working. Jesus is being preached, and the gospel is going out. He’s saving the elect to glorify His name. He is saving sinners.