“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
John is not saying that we should not fear God in the sense of regarding Him with respect and reverence. There is a proper sense of fearing God as the Judge. Speaking in the context of the final judgment, Jesus said (Luke 12:4-5), “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.” But in our text, John means that we cannot draw near to God in love and run from Him out of fear of judgment at the same time. God wants His children to know that “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). The phrase, “perfect love,” as we’ve seen, means love that has reached its goal, or love that is expressed in action. If we still fear God’s judgment, at the very least, we are not practicing biblical love for others as we should be doing. That’s what John means when he says, “the one who fears is not perfected in love.” All of us, at one point in life, should have experienced the fear of God’s judgment. But as we grow in grace and godliness that fear is replaced by God’s love. John Newton aptly put it, “’Twas grace that caused my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved” (“Amazing Grace,” stanza 2). As God’s love grows in our lives, it casts out the fear of judgment that existed before. God’s love flowing through us is evidence that we are born of God and that removes the fear of God’s judgment.
PRAYER THOUGHT
Your amazing grace has relieved me of my fears.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord, as Your love grows in our lives it casts out the fear of judgment that existed before, and Your love flowing through us is evidence that we are born of You and that removes the fear of Your judgment. AMEN
I.B.R.A. Readings
Genesis 1:26-31
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