In the context of our study of the mandate for believer's prayer in the PPOG. . Phil 4:6; 1Thes 5:17;

We are considering Paul's prayer for the spiritual growth of believers recorded in Phil 1:9-11;

Phil 1:10; In order that you may test in order to demonstrate as true the things that are excellent so that you might be completely pure (free from evil) and undamaged (blameless in the area of human good) with reference to the day of Christ.

with the result that you may approve after testing the things of greater value, in order to be inwardly pure [that is in thought] and blameless [in action] until the day of Christ

Paul's prayer was for them to have Effective love, which is guided by knowledge and understanding would enable the Philippian believers to "approve the things which are excellent." The phrase ta diasperonta, "the things which are excellent," was frequently used by Greek philosophers to indicate the things that really matter.

The word translated "approve" is δοκιμάζω dokimazo ) which means to evaluate or distinguish and to recognise as genuine after examination and to determine as worthy.

In the time tht Bible was written, the word was used to describe the assaying or testing of metals and coins, to determine whether they met the specified standards and therefore were either genuine or fakes and valuable or worthless.

The same word is used in 1Pet 1:7; where it is translated "tested" and refers to the tests in the believers life which demonstrate that their doctrine is genuine.

Also used in 1Cor 11:28 and 2Cor 13:5; regarding the believer's responsiblity for self examination.

Paul 's prayer is for believers who are in the Kosmos but not of it to be able to determine what was true in spite of the fact that the Kosmos does it's best to obfuscate what is true and promotes that which is evil as good and that which is good as evil. Isa 5:20;

Paul was praying for believers to not only correctly distinguish between what is truly good and evil but also distinguish between various categories of Bible Doctrine such as salvation and rewards, law and grace, the church and the kingdom; Israel, the Gentiles, and the church (the Royal family of God).

This is a mandate that is specifically directed to Pastor-Teachers. 2Tim 2:14-16;

Believer's failure to properly distinguish between various aspects of God's plan is one of the greatest sources of confusion in the Church today and a major reason that many belivers are not living in the PPOG for their lives.

Paul prayed that the Philippian believers would not only be able to distinguish between good and evil, but that their growing, regulated discerning love would enable them to choose the best course of action in every situation.

This is also known as making good decisions from a position of strength from inside the PPOG for the believer.

Paul's desire is for believers to be able to discern and then make the correct choice as in 1Thes 2:4;

The word translated "the things that are excellent" is ( διαφέρω (diapherō) ) which means to determine what is better, more valuable or important. Is also used in Heb 1:4; and Heb 8:6; to describe TLJC. The same idea is expressed in 1Thes 5:21; and Rom 12:2;

Paul's prayer is for believers to test, determine and approve the most valuable things and accept no substitutes.

The Kosmos will constantly try to buy believers off with substitutes and lure them out of the PPOG and away from the highest and best that God has made available to them just as satan attempted to do with TLJC. Matt 4:8-10;

The Believer's volition, not environment or circumstances, is the issue in the spiritual life, and the question for all belivers is:

"What md I going to do with all the spiritual assets God has provided?"

The answer is revealed by the believer's attitude toward the Word of God and weather or not they have positive volition toward the constant inculcation of Bible doctrine in their souls. Heb 10:25;

The filling of the Holy Spirit has given all believers equal privilege and opportunity and the ability to understand Bible doctrine, which is the most valuable thing Luke 10:41-42; and which is the only means of avoiding shame and censure and loss of rewards in the "day of Christ." Heb 11:6;

Phil 1:10 cont...

"in order to be" (hina,) for the purpose of becoming

"sincere and blameless"

The word translated sincere is a transliteration of the Latin word "sincerus" whch is a translation of the Greek ( εἱλικρινής heilikrines ) which is better understood when translated "pure" as it is in the YLT,the NIV, and the NRSV it comes from the words κρινω [krinō], (to judge), and εἱλη [heilē] (sunlight) it means judge something in the light of the sun in order to determine that it is unmixed or completely pure or spotless.

In the time the Bible was written, it was used to describe decorative pottery which did not have missing parts filled in with wax because it had been damaged. This could often only be determined by the light of sun.

Paul's prayer is for believers to completely pure and unmixed because they have tested and only accepted the things which are true and of highest value. That they have the integrity that only comes from life inside the PPOG for their lives.

The word translated blameless is ( ἀπρόσκοπος aproskopos ) means "void of offence" It also used in Acts 24:16, 1Cor 10:32; and 2 Cor 6:3

It describes a person who is careful never to do anything that might trip up another or cause him or her to stumble. Such a person would be considered “harmless.” and would be functioning in integrity love of spiritual maturity.

It refers to the believer who conducts their life in a blameless manner inside the PPOG. because they are blameless before God.

These are two good tests that we can use to evaluate ourselves regarding anything that we do:

Will it make others stumble? Will I be ashamed if Jesus should return?

Another word which is translated "blameless" which refers to the believer's positional blamelessness which every believer has at salvation is (ἄμωμος [amomos ) is used in Col 1:22; Eph 1:4; and Eph 5:27.

Because the believers are positionally blameless before God because of the work of TLJC on the cross, they are instructed to manifest functional blamelessness from the power of their spiritual life inside the PPOG.

This is similar to the concept regarding Love described in 1John 4:19;

"We love because he first loved us"
"We function in purity and blamelessness because he made us pure and blameless"

As always, in God's policy of grace, capacity preceeds production. God never asks believer's to give something that he has not already provided for them to give.

This is why believers who function inside the PPOG are never depleted from their service. 2Cor 9:6-12;

Paul's prayer is that the believers in Philippi, through learning to love with discernment, would come to a place where they demonstrated the highest possible integrity so that they would be prepared for "the day of Chist"

"The day of Christ" refers to the coming of the Lord Jesus for the church, the period beginning with the Rapture or Exit Resurrection of the church, when believers will be with the Lord. It also includes the period of time known as the "Judgement seat of Christ" where believers receive rewards or loss of rewards and the marriage of the Lamb.

Lewis Sperry Chafer's Systematic Theology Volume 7 page 110:

"The Day of Christ is the termination of the Church’s pilgrim journey on the earth (cf. 1 Cor. 1:8; 1Cor 5:5; 2 Cor. 1:14; 2Cor 5:10;; Phil. 1:6, 10; 2:16), and includes the event when saints are judged before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10) and the marriage of the Lamb (Rev. 19:7–8)."

In his prayer he is expressing his desire for believers to be prepared to be face to face with TLJC by saying ..., Phil 1:10; "in order to be inwardly pure [that is in thought] and blameless [in action] until the day of Christ; Phil 1:11; having been filled up with the production of righteousness [which is the total fulfillment of spiritual progress] which comes through Jesus Christ, for the glory and praise of God. "

Paul prays for believers to be rightly related to God and in fellowship with Him. Paul understood that when believers were rightly related to God that their relationships with people would automatically be correct.

In all cases believers are the object of God's work in them and the recipients of his grace for the purpose of Glorifyin gGod by living inside the PPOG.

Eph 2:8-10; Phil 2:13; Phil 1:6; 1Thes 5:24; Jude 24-25;