“By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as He is so also are we in this world.” 1 John 4:17 ESV
From beginning to end, the Bible is clear that there is a coming day of judgment. Jesus spoke often about the judgment to come (e.g., Matthew 7:21-23; 11:21-24). The apostle Paul, preaching to the philosophers in Athens, declared (Acts 17:31) that God “has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.” When he talked with the Roman governor Felix, Paul discussed “righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come” (Acts 24:25).
Death, which is common to the human race, is a judgment for our sin, but it is not the final judgment. Hebrews 9:27 declares, “And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment….” We want to have a biblically based confidence as we face that certain day. The basis for confidence in the day of judgment is when we see God’s love flowing through us to others. John’s emphasis here is on love being perfected in us. What does he mean? The Greek word translated “perfect” does not mean, as in English, to be without any flaws or shortcomings. The idea is to reach its complete development or intended goal, or to be mature. When John talks about God’s love being perfected in us, he means that His love has reached its intended goal in us. “Perfect” love is not just nice thoughts or words, but action.
PRAYER THOUGHT
Lord, let Your Love in me and through me be active in my daily living.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord Jesus, even in my imperfections, let Your love, through the Holy Spirit be not just words, but actions in the lives of others. AMEN
I.B.R.A. Readings
Obadiah 1:10-21
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