Perfect love casts out fear
Perfect love casts out fear
The apostle John wrote – “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love” (1 John 4: 11-18)
How are we “made perfect in love?” To be made perfect is to be made complete. How can we be made “complete” in God’s love? We need to remember what He has done for us. We need to remember that He gave His life for us, so we could be with Him for eternity. We need to remember that He knows us and loves us personally. We need to remember that He has created us for a purpose. He has created us to glorify Him. He has certain good works for us to do through the indwelling power of His Holy Spirit. He has given and will continue to give us all we need to do what He has created us to do.
If we try to get from other people what God alone can give us; we will find ourselves disappointed and even fearful. God wants us to have confidence in Him. He wants us to talk to Him, to confess our sins to Him, and to trust Him in every new situation in our lives. He wants to be our everything.
No matter what season of life we are in, we are valuable to God. He knows how we are feeling. He does not want us to worry. Consider what the apostle Paul wrote to the Phillippians while he was in prison – “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4: 4-7)
Paul had learned through many difficult experiences to be anxious for nothing. He trusted God no matter what his circumstances were. We can too. If you are afraid and worried today, talk to God about how you are feeling. Read and meditate on His word. Remember how much He loves you. Remember that you can come boldly into a throne room of grace. You can always trust Him. He has overcome the world, for both you and me.