“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18 (NIV)
Perfect love casts fear out of the heart and out of the relationship. Perfect love conquers fear. It is possible for the disciples of Christ to have fearless (perfect) love. Fearless love is possible because the believer’s love has been perfected. Beginning in verse 12, we are taught that since we have never seen God, the evidence of His love in us is expressed by our love for one another, thus our love for God is perfected. Now consider this powerful truth carefully. God is teaching us to love himself through our learning to love one another. It is in effect, God’s love in us that enables us to love one another. The love for one another becomes the proof that we are in fellowship with God.
Perfect love is seen in the sacrifice of Jesus as the Savior of the world and one’s personal witness of Him as Savior is proof of fellowship with God. However, before one can genuinely confess faith in Jesus Christ as Savior he/she must experience both knowledge of and trust in Him. But when experiential faith occurs, the believer enters the realm of Divine operation known as grace and love. For “God is love” and this relationship, begun by personally confessing Christ as Savior, is a mutual bond of love. The believer lives in the love of God and God lives in the love of the believer. In this life of mutual love, the believer’s love is perfected. This love without fear does two things for the believer: (1) It provides boldness for the day of judgment; and (2) It enables us to manifest the love of Christ in this world (v. 17).
When we truly know Christ and trust in Him as our Savior, our mutual love (ours for Him and His for us)destroys the fear of punishment at the judgment. So, if we fear the judgment, then our love for Christ is not yet perfected. “O Love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong! It shall forevermore endure!” Consider the Father’s two-fold promise of John 3:16. First, whosoever believes in His Son will not perish. Second, whosoever believes in His Son will be given eternal life. This all-encompassing promise is the insurance against punishment at the judgment.
Dear Father, thank you for your perfect love. Perfect our love for you that all fear will truly be destroyed. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today in the fearless love of God,